Arkansas releases 'Tusk' beer with GoatLab Brewery benefiting NIL collective, athletes

A week after Tyson Foods released “Razorback Nuggets,” Arkansas is rolling out a beer benefiting its NIL collective.

Arkansas athletics, the Razorback-centric Arkansas EDGE NIL collective and GoatLab Brewery partnered to create Tusk beer. The easy-drinking craft beer made for fans will benefit the NIL collective and Arkansas athletes.

According to a release, a large portion of proceeds from Tusk will go to Arkansas EDGE to create NIL opportunities. Each can and case will make an impact on the NIL operation. GoatLab is also providing grain from the brewing process to Tusk VI, the live Razorback mascot.

“We are excited to welcome GoatLab Brewery to the Razorback family,” Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “With this new partnership, Razorback fans will be able to enjoy the many unique offerings of GoatLab which will also help generate vital NIL support for Razorback student-athletes through Arkansas Edge.

“Bill and Rhonda Adams are proud Arkansans and longtime Razorback fans. We are grateful for their support and the continued difference they are making in the lives of Razorback student-athletes and within our community.”

Tusk will be available at GoatLab’s taproom and distributed throughout northwest Arkansas restaurants, retailers and liquor stores. A statewide rollout is in the works, and the beer will be available at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock for the season opener against UAPB.

GoatLab is also holding a public tasting event on Thursday, Aug. 15, at its taproom in Lowell, Arkansas.

“This innovative partnership highlights a truly exciting synergy between Arkansas Edge, the Arkansas Razorbacks, and local businesses like GoatLab Brewery,” Arkansas Edge executive director Kyle May said. “It will provide tremendous support to our student-athletes by generating new and continuing NIL opportunities for them, all while strengthening our support of local Arkansas-based businesses and giving Razorback fans a fun way to get involved too.

“… We’re excited to see the response Razorback fans will have knowing every beer sold will help support vitally important parts of our Razorback culture and program.”

Collectives across the country – such as the SWARM Golden Ale at Iowa, Ames Lager at Iowa State, Cincy Light at Cincinnati, Hell’s Half Acre Lager at TCU, The Horseshoe Golden Ale at Boise State and many others – have found that beer sales can be a revenue driver.

For example, The Swarm Collective CEO Brad Heinrichs said the collective generated $30,000 in the first month alone of The SWARM Golden Ale sales. Collectives have also created their own brands of alcohol, including the Volunteer Club Vodka supporting The Volunteer Club at Tennessee.