Dave, Desiree, Beer & Wine

Just four years ago going into a liquor store to buy craft beer left Tulsans feeling like they were in a barren wasteland of craftless beer but the craft beer oasis is growing in Oklahoma and homebrewers are playing a part in the expanded selection.

Homebrewers love craft beer and they tell everyone they know even if they dont want to hear about it.  For years homebrewers had to leave the state to buy their favorite craft brews and distributors ignored requests to bring them into Oklahoma.  It wasn’t until smaller distributors decided to take a chance and started bringing in beers from the smaller breweries across the country that the beer selection in our state started to improve.  Our insatiable desire to drink unique full flavored beers proved that these beers would indeed sell in the 3.2 state of Oklahoma and the selection continues to grow.

Recently Tulsa has embraced its own craft brewery, Marshall Brewing Company, which will soon reach its first anniversary.  I talked to Brewmaster, Eric Marshall, about the growing awareness of craft beers in Tulsa.  He credits homebrewers as one of the reasons and stated so in his business proposal for Marshall Brewing Company.  The opening of our homebrew store, High Gravity and the opening of McNellie’s Public House, specializing in a wide selection of beers, have also contributed to the growing awareness.  Homebrewers appreciation of quality beer has opened the door for Marshall Brewing to succeed in a state where just a few years ago the chances were not so certain.

Two years ago I was asked by a distributor what my top-five list was for breweries I would like to see available in Oklahoma.  Since then I have seen Avery Brewing, Bear Republic, Big Sky Brewing, Ft. Collins Brewing and several other brewery’s beers make their way into Oklahoma.  My top-five list keeps changing and that is a wonderful thing.

Thanks Hombrewers!

Desiree Knott
High Gravity Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies
7164 S Memorial
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 461-2605
desiree@highgravitybrew.com
http://www.highgravitybrew.com

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This entry was posted by Desiree Knott on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 2:24 pm and is filed under Beer Related Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.