Enjoy a variety of beers during Tulsa Craft Beer Week, scheduled for April 15-20. CHRISTOPHER SMITH / Tulsa World
Freddy Lamport had been keeping tabs on Craft Beer Week activities across the country for several years.
"I got to wondering why Tulsa doesn't have something like that," said Lamport, owner of BierGarten Wine & Spirits in Jenks.
"So I called in Kyle Johnson with Quality Beverage Co., who represents Brew Dog, Great Divide, Anderson Valley, Green Flash and Anchor, to name a few. Then we brought in Tony Collins from McNellie's Pub and Josh Royal from R Bar & Grill and started to put some plans together."
Their efforts have resulted in Tulsa Craft Beer Week, scheduled April 15-20.
Highlights of the weeklong activities will include a Choc Beer dinner Monday at McNellie's Pub, a COOP Ale Works dinner Tuesday at Hey Mambo, a Prairie Artisan Ale dinner Thursday at McNellie's Pub, an outdoor festival Friday at R Bar & Grill and a festival finale in the parking lot at BierGarten on Saturday.
The BierGarten event, scheduled 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature Oklahoma breweries such as COOP Ale Works, Marshall Brewing Co., Choc Beer Co. and Prairie Artisan Ales; national breweries such as Boulevard Brewing Co. and Great Divide Brewing Co.; as well as Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM). Food will be provided by Billy Sims BBQ. Cost will be $25 per person.
Proceeds from the BierGarten and R Bar events will benefit FOAM. Both of those events also will offer free passes for designated drivers.
"We want to promote responsible drinking," Royal said.
The complete schedule of events thus far and tickets to the BierGarten finale are available at
tulsaworld.com/tulsacraftbeerweek The site will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Brewers Association, a trade organization for American craft breweries, started American Craft Beer Week in 2006. It is May 13-19 this year.
"Different cities hold their Craft Beer Weeks at different times," Lamport said. "Some even were held in January. We didn't want to conflict with Oklahoma City, which has its event in May, and April seemed to be a good time for us. Plus, we expect a lot of new releases in April."
Original Print Headline: Plans coming together for Tulsa Craft Beer Week
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