Eric Marshall is seated on kegs of beer at Marshall Brewing Co., 618 S. Wheeling Ave., in this file photo on Sept. 10. TOM GILBERT/Tulsa World
Brewers and beer lovers are celebrating a successful vote on legislation that some say could be a long-awaited step forward for Oklahoma’s craft beer industry.
The third time may be the charm for the sampling bill that now awaits Gov. Mary Fallin’s signature and will allow breweries to offer samples of their beer on site.
News that the sampling bill passed the Senate spread quickly as Tulsa celebrated its first Craft Beer Week, which organizers described as a great success.
Some view this as momentum for the craft beer movement and introducing further changes to the state’s liquor laws.
“This is our third attempt at introducing a sampling bill on behalf of Oklahoma breweries to address what we feel was an inequity in law which permitted wineries and not breweries to sample,” said Wes Alexander, director of sales and marketing for Tulsa’s Marshall Brewing Co.
“As small businesses, the model that makes these breweries most effective is offering samples and tours to educate guests and promote craft beer.”
The heart of sampling is the interaction with the guest, allowing time for brewers to tell their unique stories, Alexander said.
“With Eric Marshall, we have a unique story of a young man with ambition and a plan that leads him to Germany to receive a diploma in International Brewing from the prestigious World Brewing Academy in Munich,” he said.
“Visitors can hear from Eric firsthand how he crafts our beer and see him in action. Craft beer consumers are usually an inquisitive bunch and being able to answer their questions directly helps to build brand loyalty and enable them to be better craft beer ambassadors.”
Passage of the bill is the “first step to continue to grow the craft brewing industry,” said Mason Beecroft, brewmaster of Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing. “It gives people access to see the brewing process, see the facility and taste the beers.
“We are still in the process of getting our own building and equipment for our brewery in Tulsa. It’s an arduous task, to say the least. It could take six months; it could take a year. In the meantime, we are having our beer brewed at RoughTail Brewing Co. in Oklahoma City.”
Dead Armadillo Amber should be in the market and in local liquor stores on June 1, Beecroft said.
Craft Beer
Tulsa's own Prairie Artisan Ales just had a beer named one of the top 100 new releases by Beer Advocate.
Marshall Brewing Co. is extending the season for its very popular Arrowhead Pale Ale.
