From beer launches to new breweries, there's a whole lot going on with Oklahoma craft beer.
That's why it's the perfect time for Tulsa to host its first Craft Beer Week, which runs Monday through Saturday.
Freddy Lamport, owner of BierGarten Wine & Spirits in Jenks, Kyle Johnson with Quality Beverage Co., Tony Collins with McNellie's Pub and Josh Royal from R Bar & Grill were inspired to organize the event that will highlight Oklahoma's booming industry.
The week includes beer dinners at local restaurants, special tastings and a festival finale in the parking lot of BierGarten on Saturday.
The state was a little behind the craft beer boom due to restrictive alcohol laws, brewers said. But there's news on that front, too.
Here's what's going on with local craft beer brewers.
Tulsa's Dead Armadillo to launch first beer sales
On Monday, the Tulsa-based brewery Dead Armadillo will post the prices for its first beer release. In accordance with state law, brewers have to post their prices 45 days before their first release, said Tony Peck, one of the owners.
So on June 1, Dead Armadillo's amber beer will officially be on tap.
Peck said there will be a launch party at Fox and Hound at 71st Street and Garnett Road on June 6.
"I am so excited. It has been a year of talking about it and another year of working on the business and recipes and events, and now it is finally coming to fruition," Peck said.
Because it is starting out in kegs, which limits liquor store involvement, Dead Armadillo will mostly be found in bars and restaurants.
If you are interested in trying Dead Armadillo, look for it Friday at R Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., for the Craft Beer Fest Outdoor Party.
"I am just thrilled we have a craft beer festival and legislation is moving forward in the House, and it seems like we are making strides," Peck said.
A bill that would allow brewers to offer on-site samples in their tasting rooms is waiting for a date to be heard on the Senate floor. But more on that later.
Peck said that Dead Armadillo has contracted with Oklahoma City's Roughtail Brewing Co. - itself a new brewery - to produce its beer until it can find and buy a building in Tulsa for its brewery.
It also plans to do a Kickstarter campaign in the next couple of months to raise funds. Kickstarter is a website that allows people to pledge money for a project.
Prairie's kick-start
Chase and Colin Healey of Prairie Artisan Ales might have been a little dubious when they set out to raise $10,000 to buy equipment for their brewery on a website. And when the fundraiser ended Thursday, they didn't raise the amount they set out to collect.
They raised more than twice that much.
"It is amazing really. I was really hesitant to do a Kickstarter. It's not really a traditional business practice. We sold glassware and shirts and named beers after people and put their names on tanks ... and people were forking over their hard-earned cash for this to help us grow," Chase Healey said.
For example, Prairie Artisan Ales will be making a beer named after the Tulsa Rugby Club for its donation to the campaign.
Prairie Artisan Ales is currently contracting with Choc Brewing Co. in Krebs to barrel its beers, but the Healeys hope to be filling barrels with beer in their own Tulsa facility by late summer.
"We are not in a hurry, but it is important to me to have roots here in town and to contribute to what is going on in Tulsa," Chase Healey said.
Marshall celebrates 5th anniversary
Wes Alexander, director of sales and marketing for Marshall, said it is planning a number of events for its anniversary celebration on May 18.
It has brewed "5" - a barrel-aged imperial red ale - that will be available in limited quantities in 22-ounce bottles to commemorate the anniversary.
On May 13, McNellie's, 409 E. First St., hosts Marshall Pint Night & Firkin. The event starts at 5 p.m. and will feature the opportunity to enjoy a pint of cask-conditioned ale from a traditional English serving vessel. Brewmaster Eric Marshall and other team members will answer questions and recount the previous five years.
Then on May 14, there will be a beer dinner hosted by the Dilly Deli, 402 E. Second St.
On May 18, McNellie's will host an outdoor beer festival in Tulsa featuring Sundown Wheat, Old Pavilion Pilsner, McNellie's Pub Ale, Atlas IPA, Munich Dunkel, Klaus Hefeweizen, Revival Red Ale, special releases of single hopped pale ales and a number of one-off beers.
Details of these events are still coming together, Alexander said.
Brewery legislation
The bill that would allow brewers to offer on-site samples is still waiting for a date to be heard in the Senate.
The Oklahoma Senate Committee on Business and Commerce has already passed HB1341.
If approved by the entire Senate, the bill would go to the governor for approval.
"Just doing our job, it is important to have the opportunity to educate our consumers," Alexander said.
He said the craft beer is "about a story," not about Super Bowl commercials and billboards. But the current legislation prevents the breweries from fully telling that story.
"We have been doing our job with one hand tied behind our backs. For growth in the industry, it is essential that we be able to educate the public about the products that we make," Alexander said.
COOP in cans
And, finally, Oklahoma City's COOP Ale Works has plans to sell all six of its products in cans, said J.D. Merryweather, owner of the brewery.
And news that prices for COOP's F5 IPA in cans were posted has generated quite a buzz.
Craft brews in cans is a big trend in the industry, to the delight of beer lovers. The cans keep out the light that can diminish the beer's taste, and cans are permitted at more locations, such as lakes and parks.
There are still a "few things that need to fall into place," before sales of the F5 in cans start, Merryweather said.
But he emphasized that the brewery is "experiencing nice, steady growth," which makes such developments in its brand possible.
Schedule of events
Monday
R-Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., 918-392-4811
Choc Beer Dinner, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $50
Roasted cauliflower and saffron soup with sunflower seeds and Moroccan creme fraiche. Paired with: Choc Spring Pilsner
Bacon-wrapped dates and arugula salad with smoked almonds, neufchâtel, honey, and balsamic. Paired with: Choc 1919
Spiced rack of lamb served with a caper and raisin relish, rosemary roasted fingerlings, baby carrots, lamb jus. Paired with: Choc Oklahoma Pale Ale
Cinnamon oranges with vanilla and honey yogurt, candied pecans. Paired with: Choc Bier De Garde
McNellies, 409 E. First St., 918-382-7468
COOP Firkin / Pint Night, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
R-Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., 918-392-4811
Great Divide Tap Takeover, 5 p.m.
Beers: Yeti, Expresso OA Yeti, Chocolate OA Yeti, Heyday Wit, Orabelle, Denver Pale Ale, Titan IPA, Hercules, Colette, Nomad.
McNellies, 409 E. First St., 918-382-7468
Marshall Firkin Crawl, a different Firkin at each McNellies group location.
5 p.m. at McNellies: Beat Juice Pub Ale
6 p.m. at Dust Bowl: Belgian Pale with Sauvignon Blanc Oak
7 p.m. at Fassler Hall: American Dry Hopped Klaus
Hey Mambo, 114 N. Boston Ave., 918-508-7000
COOP Five-course Beer Dinner, 6-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday
R-Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., 918-392-4811
Green Flash Pint Night, Featuring Green Flash West Coast IPA and a special glass, 6 p.m.
McNellies, 409 E. First St., 918-382-7468
Choc Firkin, and you get to keep a Tulsa Craft Beer Week pint glass with your purchase, noon
Thursday
R-Bar, 3421 S. Peoria Ave., 918-392-4811
Local Tap Takeover, local breweries take over the taps, 5 p.m.
McNellies, 409 E. First St., 918-382-7468
Prairie Artisan Ale Dinner, four-course meal matched with Prairie Artisan Ales, 5 p.m.
Please contact Tiffany (
tiffany@mcnellies.com) to make your reservation. Cost, $50.
Friday
R-Bar
Outdoor Festival, Firkin Friday. Special firkin tasting event with more than 10 breweries bringing their best to the table, 6-10 p.m. Cost, $25.
McNellies, 409 E. 1st St., 918-382-7468
Prairie Artisan Tap Takeover: Standard, Somewhere, Gold, 'Merica, Funky Galaxy, Noir, 5 p.m.
Saturday
BierGarten Parking Lot, 807 East A St., Jenks, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $25
The Tulsa Craft Beer Festival Finale is sponsored by BierGarten Wine and Spirits and the Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers, Tulsa's premier homebrew club. Brewers will be on hand to talk to you about your favorite brews.
Nicole Marshall Middleton 918-581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Crafty Concept
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