A blueberry wheat became a state legend, but the real story starts in a classroom. We sit with Flyway’s founder, an English teacher turned brewer, to unpack how a garage hobby grew into Arkansas’s bestselling Blue Wing and a new taproom on Walmart’s cutting‑edge campus. It’s a ride through fate, focus, and the Mississipi Flyway that inspired the brand’s identity.

We get into the early batches, the community garden, and the moment a random gas station cooler confirmed the beer had a life of its own. From there, the playbook is all execution: approachable craft over gimmicks, a malt backbone that quiets bitterness, and flavors that feel like memories, think cream soda in a vanilla blonde and a blueberry finish that reads like summer. The conversation widens to real growth mechanics: canning with New Province, a Fayetteville taproom on the trail that turns cyclists into regulars, and a Memphis partnership that keeps quality tight from brewhouse to shelf.

Then comes the email that changed everything, an invite that led to a seat on Walmart’s new campus. We talk precision, timelines, and why relationships move mountains: a former student in real estate, smart collaborators, and a service-first posture that keeps doors open. Food matters too. Detroit‑style pizza, burgers, wings, and a gumbo with Guy Fieri provenance round out a menu built for lunch crowds and late afternoons. Looking ahead, Flyway’s non‑alcoholic line will match the brand’s voice, not hide from it, with likely Blue Wing variants that honor the can on your shelf and the pint in your hand.

If you care about craft beer, Fayetteville food, Bentonville business, or how a local brand scales without losing its soul, this one’s for you. Tap play, share it with a friend who loves Blue Wing, and leave a quick review to help more Arkansas stories take flight.

More About this Episode

How a High School Teacher Brewed a $10 Million Beer Brand and Brought It to the Walmart Campus

When you think of craft beer success stories, you probably imagine hops-obsessed entrepreneurs with homebrews turned passion projects. But what if the story started not in a garage, but in a high school English classroom?

That’s exactly where the story of Flyway Brewing begins.

Matt Foster, the founder and CEO of Flyway Brewing, spent 20 years teaching English, literature, and creative writing at Little Rock Central High School. He inspired thousands of students, helped shape young minds, and even appeared in national documentaries. But outside the classroom, another passion was fermenting, literally.

Foster started brewing beer the same year he began teaching. What started as a hobby quickly became an obsession. His garage turned into a microbrewery with stacked kegs, stainless steel tanks, and brewing ingredients he grew himself in a community garden. Fueled by creativity and community, Matt didn’t just make beer, he created an experience. That passion would evolve into Flyway Brewing, one of Arkansas’s most successful and beloved craft breweries.

From Classroom to Taproom

Foster’s journey from the blackboard to the brewhouse was unconventional, but it reflects a common thread among great entrepreneurs: a relentless desire to build something meaningful.

He didn’t go to business school. He learned business by connecting with people. His decades in the classroom built his ability to read an audience, tell stories, and manage chaos, all skills that translated into running a brewery.

And run it he did. What started with brewing for bachelor parties and summer vacations became Flyway Brewing, now one of Arkansas’s most recognized craft beer brands. The name “Flyway” itself is a nod to Foster’s love of birds and conservation. Arkansas lies in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, one of the largest bird migration routes in North America. That migratory spirit is embedded into the brand.

The Birth of Bluewing: Arkansas’s Favorite Beer?

Ask any craft beer drinker in Arkansas to name a favorite, and you’ll likely hear the words “Bluewing.” Flyway’s blueberry wheat ale, brewed with organic blueberry puree, is by far their top seller, and a defining product for the brand.

Foster brewed Bluewing as an experiment, but the beer took on a life of its own. It’s now available in major retailers across Arkansas and holds the title as one of the top-selling craft beer brands in the state. In fact, Flyway recently calculated that Bluewing has generated over $10 million in sales since it launched in 2016.

What makes it so special? It’s approachable. Light, crisp, and balanced, it offers just enough blueberry without being overpowering. It appeals to craft beer nerds and casual drinkers alike. Women, men, seasoned connoisseurs, and those new to beer all find something to love in Bluewing. It’s a true crowd-pleaser.

Flyway’s Unexpected Food Fame

Flyway isn’t just about beer. The food at their taprooms is becoming legendary in its own right.

In fact, Flyway was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2018, with Guy Fieri himself hanging out for hours instead of the typical 20-minute cameo. The show spotlighted Flyway’s gumbo cheese fries, created by longtime chef Gina. The exposure drove nationwide attention to their food menu.

At the upcoming location on the Walmart Home Office campus, Foster says to expect standout offerings like Detroit-style pizza, burgers, and wings. Think elevated pub fare that complements the beer but can stand on its own. And yes, gumbo might be making a cameo as well.

A Campus Location with a Full-Circle Story

Flyway’s newest chapter is unfolding in Bentonville on the new Walmart campus. But the way Foster landed that opportunity sounds more like a Hallmark movie than a business deal.

Years ago, Matt taught a senior English student named Mary Claire Ryan at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock. Fast-forward several years, and he received an email out of the blue from Walmart’s real estate team. It turns out Mary Claire was now part of the team responsible for curating retailers for the new campus.

Her personal connection with Foster, combined with Flyway’s strong Arkansas roots and reputation, helped seal the deal. Foster calls the opportunity “mind-blowing” and says it reaffirms the power of relationships, community, and giving people a great experience.

Walmart is showcasing Arkansas brands on their campus, and Flyway is a cornerstone of that initiative. It’s more than a restaurant, it’s a representation of Arkansas’s evolving food and beverage scene.

Brewing Innovation: Beyond Alcohol

Flyway isn’t content to stay in its lane. Foster is also investing in non-alcoholic beverages. The brewery now serves a non-alcoholic golden pilsner called B-Row, inspired by actor Tobey Maguire and designed for drinkers looking for a sober option without sacrificing taste.

Foster teased the possibility of a non-alcoholic version of Bluewing on the horizon, alongside other innovations like a green tea-infused non-alcoholic brew. The goal is the same as it’s always been, offer high-quality, thoughtfully designed beverages that make people feel good, with or without the alcohol.

A Regional Force with National Ambitions

Flyway now operates multiple taprooms across Arkansas and Tennessee, including Fayetteville, North Little Rock, West Little Rock, Memphis, and a new project underway in West Point, Mississippi. They also distribute across Arkansas and are expanding into Georgia and South Carolina.

The brand is actively pursuing a model that pairs taprooms in key markets (especially SEC college towns) with centralized production facilities. It’s an agile model that combines local experience with scalable operations. In Bentonville, Flyway’s taproom will serve as both a community hub and a launchpad for broader distribution.

Through partnerships with other Arkansas breweries like New Province in Rogers, Flyway ensures consistent quality across its canned and draft offerings. Whether you're drinking a Bluewing in Fayetteville or a Cotton Top vanilla blonde ale in Memphis, it’s clear that the brewery values both craft and consistency.

So, Which Flyway Beer Should You Try?

During a playful blind tasting on the podcast, the standout favorites were:

  • Bluewing – The flagship blueberry wheat ale. Perfect for summer, patios, and poolside sipping.
  • Cotton Top – A surprising vanilla blonde ale with a nostalgic cream soda finish. Ideal for casual drinkers or anyone craving something smooth and flavorful.
  • Early Bird IPA – A balanced IPA with a sweet malt backbone that cuts through bitterness. Great for those dipping their toes into hoppier styles.

Each of Flyway’s beers tells a story, about Arkansas, the outdoors, or Matt’s own journey. The branding draws on nature themes like ducks, honeybirds, and trout, creating a regional identity that’s as charming as it is marketable.

The Real Secret Behind the Brand

When asked about the key to his success, Foster doesn’t talk about profit margins or marketing tactics. He talks about people.

Relationships, he says, are at the heart of everything. From students who become colleagues to chefs, investors, and even Walmart executives, every milestone in Flyway’s story is connected to someone who believed in him.

He also points to his team. “I’m surrounded by people way smarter than me,” he says. And though he jokes about being a dreamer with messy notebooks, there’s no mistaking the vision behind Flyway Brewing.

What’s Next?

The Bentonville location is expected to open around April 1. Expect full lunch and dinner service, a wide array of Flyway beers (plus non-alcoholic options), and a vibrant community space right on the Walmart campus.

In the meantime, you can find Flyway beers at major retailers like Walmart and specialty stores across Arkansas. A six-pack runs between $7.99 and $9.99, a small premium that helps support a homegrown Arkansas brand employing locals and investing in community-focused expansion.

For updates, visit www.flywaybrewing.com or stop by their taprooms in Fayetteville, North Little Rock, or Memphis.

Flyway is more than a brewery. It’s a story of transformation, passion, and perseverance. And it’s only just beginning.