First Draft offers more than 75 beers at fundraiser Friday
BY SCOTT CHERRY World Scene Writer
Thursday, November 01, 2012
11/01/12 at 3:48 AM
Whether you are a beer geek or just learning your way around a frothy mug, the eighth annual First Draft has something for everyone.
The fundraiser for the Tulsa Press Club is set for 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at ONEOK Field and will feature more than 75 beers, many from celebrated craft breweries.
Regional favorites will include Marshall Brewing Co. of Tulsa, Choc Beer, COOP Ale Works, Mustang Brewing Co., Prairie Artisan Ales and Black Mesa, the latter two making their debuts.
Marshall Brewing Co. debuted its initial brews at First Draft in 2004, when the event was held in the lobby of the Atlas Life Building.
"When we first started, I would walk into a restaurant or store and they looked at me like I was a hillbilly carrying five-gallon buckets," said Wes Alexander, Marshall Brewing director of sales. "Now, places contact us. Education-wise, I think we have turned the corner about how craft beers are viewed. If you go to Germany, every town has its own brewery with its own identity and flavor. It's something special to them. It says, 'This is where I'm from, and we make this.'
"That's like the Colorado model, and it's spreading. I've read where there are 800 breweries in the planning stages around the country."
In addition to beer, First Draft also will have ballpark-style food and hand-made chocolates from Broken Arrow's Nouveau Chocolates.
Money raised from the event will support the professional development activities of the Tulsa Press Club, which has contributed more than $500,000 in journalism scholarships over the past decade.
Tickets are $45 each or $80 per couple in advance, $50 the day of the event. For tickets, call the Tulsa Press Club at 918-583-7737 or visit tulsaworld.com/firstdraft2012 For more information, go to tulsaworld.com/firstdrafttulsa
Original Print Headline: First Draft offers taste of regional craft beers
Scott Cherry 918-581-8463
scott.cherry@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
The Tulsa Press Club's annual First Draft beer tasting is set for Friday at ONEOK Field. TOM GILBERT / Tulsa World file
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