Also, does anybody know who will replace VH, Elk Valley, and Angry Scotsman at the Brewers' Union?

Crossed Cannons is one of them: https://www.facebook.com/CrossedCannonsBrewery/

(9 if you count Bricktown Brewery but I don't feel like most folks count it)

I think it's because all of their beers are 3.2%. I wonder if that will remain the case after the law changes this fall.

Does Bricktown Brewery actually do any brewing at that location anymore? I'm not in there frequently enough, and never see any actual brewing happening when I am. I assume they do everything off-site now, but have no idea.

Yes they do continue to brew on-site.


I think it's because all of their beers are 3.2%. I wonder if that will remain the case after the law changes this fall.

They do have plans to move some (if not all) of their product to what would currently be considered strong beer, and they also plan to wholesale some product so that you will be able to buy their beers in stores and/or other establishments, at least the last I heard.

I think it's because all of their beers are 3.2%. I wonder if that will remain the case after the law changes this fall.

they will be making higher point beer. they had a few for tasting back during the strong ale fest. i'm not certain if they are going to replace all they currently have, or what the plan is.. .i just know they have been working on high point beer

Yes they do continue to brew on-site.



They do have plans to move some (if not all) of their product to what would currently be considered strong beer, and they also plan to wholesale some product so that you will be able to buy their beers in stores and/or other establishments, at least the last I heard.

i guess we were typing at the same time. lol

Hah!

https://newsok.com/article/5609411/lively-beerworks-debuts-next-week

Been excited about this for a while, a couple of my buddies are involved in this. Looking forward to tasting some product next week!

https://newsok.com/article/5609411/lively-beerworks-debuts-next-week

Been excited about this for a while, a couple of my buddies are involved in this. Looking forward to tasting some product next week!

The more taprooms the merrier!

https://newsok.com/article/5609411/lively-beerworks-debuts-next-week

Been excited about this for a while, a couple of my buddies are involved in this. Looking forward to tasting some product next week!

I actually had that guy's father as a professor in college, he and his wife came over to Vienna to visit me while I was studying abroad in Europe, pretty good family and definitely fun to have a few beers with.

This would be the location:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lively.jpg

Been meaning to hit up the Roughtail tasting room. Mustang has a tasting room open on Saturdays as well, been a couple of times. Actually need to get back to get a growler fill.
Marshall and Prairie each have one in Tulsa. Pretty sure Prairie shares theirs with Choc since they are both brewed out of Petes.

Updated Tulsa brewery list - all of these are located in midtown/downtown:

1. Marshall (618 S Wheeling Ave) - New Pearl District taproom at 1742 E 6th st - NOW OPEN

2. Dead Armadillo (1004 E 4th St) - Pearl District - currently open (also has a location at Tulsa Int'l Airport)

3. Prairie Brew Pub (223 N Main St) - Arts District - currently open

4. Elgin Park Brewpub (325 E Mathew B. Brady St) - Arts District - currently open

5. Cabin Boys (1717 E 7th St) - Pearl District - currently open

6. Renaissance (1147 S Lewis Ave) - now open

7. American Solera (108 E 18 ST S) - currently open - MOVING TO PEARL DISTRICT AT 6TH & UTICA IN 2019

8. Heirloom Rustic Ales (2113 E. Admiral Blvd.) - Kendall-Whittier - under construction

9. Welltown Brewery (114 W Archer St) - Arts District - currently open

10. Nothing's Left Brewing (1501 E. Sixth St.) - Pearl District - currently open

11. Willow Family Ales (418 S Peoria Ave) - Pearl District - currently open

14. Fine Fermentations (321 S Frankfurt Ave) - East Village - under construction

15. Hanson (302 N Boston Ave) - brewery across from Prairie brewpub - last heard it was in planning with pretty far out date (2019/20)

Hit up Welltown and Marshall earlier this month. Marshall was still in their old digs so would like to check out their new place since everyone in our crew liked their beers the best. Welltown’s taproom is amazing with three levels and just down from the Brady Theater and close to Cain’s so we thought it would make a killing.

This would be the location:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lively.jpg

Yeah, will be closeish to Coop's new location at the Armory. Not quite like taking the streetcar around to all the urban core breweries, but still somewhat doable.

Hit up Welltown and Marshall earlier this month. Marshall was still in their old digs so would like to check out their new place since everyone in our crew liked their beers the best. Welltown’s taproom is amazing with three levels and just down from the Brady Theater and close to Cain’s so we thought it would make a killing.

I agree on Welltown's location, they should make so much money with all the shows at both the Brady and Cains, but also the BOK. Unfortunately I did not like their beer very much, but that doesn't mean they don't do good work, just not my style. I hope they are a success because the facility is amazing, the taproom is about as high quality as you will find in OK and the brewery is open to the street via large windows.

Hit up Welltown and Marshall earlier this month. Marshall was still in their old digs so would like to check out their new place since everyone in our crew liked their beers the best. Welltown’s taproom is amazing with three levels and just down from the Brady Theater and close to Cain’s so we thought it would make a killing.

Marshall's new tap room fronts 6th next to its existing brewery, you can see it on the left in the pic below. American Solera is going to refurbish the old warehouse at 6th & Utica for a tap room (see below), and Cabin Boys is next door. So three breweries on one block in the Pearl District. Just waiting on the city to enhance the streetscape east down 6th.

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/tulsaworld.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/f9/3f946362-c35d-5975-94f4-65943cdef58f/5ba419810f8a5.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C622

^

That's a very cool building. Hope they leave it somewhat rustic.

I agree on Welltown's location, they should make so much money with all the shows at both the Brady and Cains, but also the BOK. Unfortunately I did not like their beer very much, but that doesn't mean they don't do good work, just not my style. I hope they are a success because the facility is amazing, the taproom is about as high quality as you will find in OK and the brewery is open to the street via large windows.

I liked a couple of their IPA’s but beer wise we were blown away by Marshall. It was so refreshing to find a brewery that makes beer that people will actually drink and enjoy. They didn’t have jalapeño sour rum crap they served Oktoberfest, Amber, IPA, wheat, lager etc. Wish all the OK breweries tried to outdo each other taste and quality wise instead of unique and novelty wise.

^

That's a very cool building. Hope they leave it somewhat rustic.

Ity's on the National register of historuc places so it will remain very rustic! It was an old bullet manufacturing plant for WW2

Updated Tulsa brewery list - all of these are located in midtown/downtown:

8. Heirloom Rustic Ales (2113 E. Admiral Blvd.) - Kendall-Whittier - under construction

Heirloom has been open for about 10 months now. Great taproom with some killer lagers and farmhouse beers.

Are all the local breweries now open until midnight?

Are all the local breweries now open until midnight?

They just no longer have to close at 9PM.

Each taproom is doing their own thing and hours vary... But generally, all will now be staying open later than before.

They just no longer have to close at 9PM.

Each taproom is doing their own thing and hours vary... But generally, all will now be staying open later than before.

this.. having talked with most around OKC... most right now plan to keep previous hours of operation... but this allows them more flexibility when they have special events and parties.

Stopped by Prairie today, they are going to stay open til 10 on weeknights and midnight on Friday/Saturday with the ability to stay open later at bartenders discretion. They said they are really excited because before they couldn't serve most beers after 9 if there was a big game on. Tonight, they plan to stay open later than 10 for anyone watching Monday Night Football. I believe most Downtown OKC Breweries will at least stay open until 11 or midnight on Fridays and Saturdays!

Also, something overlooked is you can now bring your whole family to the taproom/brewery. I think this is really cool and a great change! Could definitely see our friends sitting around playing a board game, but couldn't do that before with the kiddos.

Very excited about the longer hours and all ages welcome. Just need some of that space to get built out around Prairie and have a restaurant or two. Anybody know what the holdup is there?

Very excited about the longer hours and all ages welcome. Just need some of that space to get built out around Prairie and have a restaurant or two. Anybody know what the holdup is there?

Magain Table should be opening in the next month or two:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43824

Lively Beer Works launch party tonight at Bleu Garten at 6. Unveiling their IPA. All are welcome.

https://twitter.com/livelybeerworks/status/1047885282148843520?s=21

Surprised no mention of SB424 passing allowing legal taproom sales of all beer, not just low point? The most recent changes certainly help our local breweries gain more exposure but 424 passing two years ago was HUGE for our local beer scene. This alone allows a brewery to open and survive strictly selling pints and growlers across the bar. Expect more "nano" style breweries to open because of 424. Likewise we'll see more brewpubs now that they aren't restricted to selling only low point beers.


They are also taking into consideration the future of this location... And remember there is going to be a new concert/sports venue built nearby. Sometimes it’s not about the right now. It’s about the future.

Exactly what I'm thinking. 24th is filling up and that new complex will bring a lot more traffic to the area. Plus they are conveniently located right off the interstate.



I guess that’s really my point. Not saying it needs to be proximate to OKC breweries; being close to other breweries in Norman is great but I’d think if they both were BOTH easily walkable/bikable to each other and also to either Main or Campus Corner would be even better. For instance Main and Porter vicinity. Much better for creation of a Norman brewing “scene.”

Lazy Circles brewery is at Main and Porter, they've been open a year now. And there's another brewery in planning (BiG Brewing) just two blocks west of them on Main. Also Beau (Crossed Cannons) has mentioned Norman as their future home, although he told me that before BiG and Black Mesa had breweries building out in Norman.


Does Bricktown Brewery actually do any brewing at that location anymore? I'm not in there frequently enough, and never see any actual brewing happening when I am. I assume they do everything off-site now, but have no idea.

My understanding is they still brew there for the Bricktown location. They are however also brewing off-site for all of their satellite locations. They purchased the old Huebert brewery for their off-site brewing.

Angry Scotsman is having a 1 year anniversary party this Saturday along with a grand opening of their new brewery however it sounds like the inside taproom space won't be completed until the end of the year (which means likely longer) and no timeline given for the outside beer garden.
https://www.facebook.com/285119700080/posts/10156378534490081/

Vanessa House has a grand opening event next Saturday, 27 October. If you follow their social media you've likely seen the pictures of their brewery in Automobile Alley, it looks very nice.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1997412273655370?name=Vanessa+House+Beer+Company+G rand+Opening&event_id=1997412273655370

Angry Scotsman is having a 1 year anniversary party this Saturday along with a grand opening of their new brewery however it sounds like the inside taproom space won't be completed until the end of the year (which means likely longer) and no timeline given for the outside beer garden.
https://www.facebook.com/285119700080/posts/10156378534490081/


I stopped by Black Mesa last Friday and hung out for awhile and they are on about the same time frame... They were up and brewing but still had quite a bit of work to do on the interior. Said they were hoping for an early 2019 opening on their tap room.

Sad to report that Twisted Spike is closing up shop. One of my favorites and one of the first brewery and taprooms in the urban core. It was a place that gave folks a reason to turn east on 10th Street.

From their Facebook page:

No Tears in Your Beers!
Thanks for 7 Years!
This Train is Leaving the Station!
�� Thanks for the Ride!!
Twisted Spike will be closing its doors on Sept 30th. Please come celebrate the Ride with us all month!! There will be specials, events, reminiscing, beer discounts and lots of toasts!
Help us close out this month strong ���� and please support our amazing staff!! ����������

The margins are too slim, and the market is so oversaturated at this point. We are going to see more breweries closing soon than we want to see.

The margins are too slim, and the market is so oversaturated at this point. We are going to see more breweries closing soon than we want to see.

margins actually are really good in a taproom. you cut out all of the middleman costs, and are able to make good money per product. margins aren't the problem, it's the cheap cost. you need people to buy multiple drinks and for the place to be consistently busy.

but yes, the market is very much over saturated, and you will see those that can't attract, either by bad location or bad beer, to start to go under. that was the problem here. twisted spike was in a horrible location. it made it difficult to get to, and easy to forget except right when you were driving by.

If anyone is around Norman next weekend, Friday the 29th is the 3rd annual Brewtoberfest. All local Norman breweries. A good time we enjoy yearly.

https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.33032/35986

margins actually are really good in a taproom. you cut out all of the middleman costs, and are able to make good money per product. margins aren't the problem, it's the cheap cost. you need people to buy multiple drinks and for the place to be consistently busy.

but yes, the market is very much over saturated, and you will see those that can't attract, either by bad location or bad beer, to start to go under. that was the problem here. twisted spike was in a horrible location. it made it difficult to get to, and easy to forget except right when you were driving by.

Profit margins after factoring in rent, labor, utilities and all other associated costs are not good for smaller breweries. An LBW program in a bar, restaurant, or club will clean house. Most of the smaller breweries are absolutely getting eaten alive by costs. We have brewers going back to their day jobs to float the business at several of the smaller breweries.

Profit margins after factoring in rent, labor, utilities and all other associated costs are not good for smaller breweries. An LBW program in a bar, restaurant, or club will clean house. Most of the smaller breweries are absolutely getting eaten alive by costs. We have brewers going back to their day jobs to float the business at several of the smaller breweries.

sorry, i thought you were talking about the actual margins on the product... those are good. yes, overall profit margins for the business as a whole can be difficult.

Hey, everyone! ELK VALLEY just posted on IG about a triumphant return!

Hey, everyone! ELK VALLEY just posted on IG about a triumphant return!

a little strange they put a message on their IG @elkvalleybrew pointing people to their new IG @elkvalleybeer is says "Elk Valley Beer is coming back! Follow us and turn on notifications for upcoming releases."

a little strange they put a message on their IG @elkvalleybrew pointing people to their new IG @elkvalleybeer is says "Elk Valley Beer is coming back! Follow us and turn on notifications for upcoming releases."

I bet there was at least a partial change in ownership.

a little strange they put a message on their IG @elkvalleybrew pointing people to their new IG @elkvalleybeer is says "Elk Valley Beer is coming back! Follow us and turn on notifications for upcoming releases."

John recently completed the sale of Elk Valley. I'm probably wrong, but I believe it is to a group of people starting a brewery in Tulsa called New Story Brewing.

sorry, i thought you were talking about the actual margins on the product... those are good. yes, overall profit margins for the business as a whole can be difficult.

Net profit margins are low because they put way too much money into the build out of the tap room. Tap rooms in general should not be in high rent areas because people will travel for good beer. Stone cloud is probably the only one that will survive that decision if I was a betting person.

OKC really needs to market itself as a beer city more. It has a better beer scene and a greater variety than a lot of larger cities. I'd say it's easily on par with Colorado.

OKC really needs to market itself as a beer city more. It has a better beer scene and a greater variety than a lot of larger cities. I'd say it's easily on par with Colorado.

visitokc.com does promote that.

https://www.visitokc.com/things-to-do/nightlife/breweries/

And there is this.

https://www.okcbrewtour.com/

^^^^^^^^^
It’s really easy to not know how OKC markets itself if you LIVE in OKC. We’re not their primary visitor demographic. Any VisitOKC ads you see locally are targeted at regional watchers, not so much local. Go to Texas and you’ll know ALL ABOUT breweries in OKC. Have a Texas IP on your phone and visit here and your social will blow the hell up with it.

The Big Friendly won brewery of the year again for their size at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver over the weekend, they also brought home two gold medals for two different beers as well. GABF is pretty much the gold standard for craft beer recognition in the country and to do this two years in a row is amazing.

The Big Friendly won brewery of the year again for their size at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver over the weekend, they also brought home two gold medals for two different beers as well. GABF is pretty much the gold standard for craft beer recognition in the country and to do this two years in a row is amazing.WOW, that is impressive. Their beer is pretty tasty, so it was well deserved!

John recently completed the sale of Elk Valley. I'm probably wrong, but I believe it is to a group of people starting a brewery in Tulsa called New Story Brewing.

Can confirm that is correct. They have a great potential location in Tulsa on the east side of downtown. Should be an interesting project and they already have a built in fan base in Elk Valley drinkers.

Another brewery bites the dust. CROSSTIMBERS is no longer. This one sucks as it was in walking distance from me, and by far the best patio in the city.

Strange that we would lose 3 (Twisted Spike, Elk Valley and Cross Timbers) in quick succession and at a time that this is usually great for breweries -- the fall.

It worries me that others may follow.

There was a heavy saturation of breweries, and I think only the superior one's will survive. Not only was competition pretty high, but the first expense people typically lose is going out when they are trying to save, and that's most at this point.

Between this and the list of long time restaurants that have closed in midtown…it’s definitely a little concerning. Could just be general turnover but it seems like a lot in a short time.

I have to go with Mballard85. We went from 2 or 3 breweries to 15 in a few years. It was a trendy new market so lot of newcomers until saturation but now it is the time for a trim.

Classic

location and accessibility has a lot to do with it as well. i only ever went to cross timbers when i went to Edge Craft BBQ. and yes it was a great patio, but i never felt the need or want to go there any other time. it was just so out of the way from pretty much everywhere else.

Ideally this will also happen with all the weed dispensaries in town. Only so many are needed.

Ideally this will also happen with all the weed dispensaries in town. Only so many are needed.

To a certain extent, I think that it has...it's just that the corresponding signage doesn't always get removed right away, and dispensaries are not exactly known for their subtle marketing.

i think something else that has to be said is that just because you make great beer, doesn't mean you are a great at running a brewery. I think there are often a line of bad business decisions that come along with some of this, it's not just people not buying the products.

i think something else that has to be said is that just because you make great beer, doesn't mean you are a great at running a brewery. I think there are often a line of bad business decisions that come along with some of this, it's not just people not buying the products.

Marketing, with all small businesses, is paramount.

And almost nobody invests in it or even considers it much before they open their doors.


Remember when I originally posted about Cross Timbers opening? Nobody even knew about it and yet for the first week or two, they were overrun. Never, ever heard from them again and I would have never been there in the first place if I hadn't been watching them and contacting them for months before they opened.

Almost all these new places I contact well in advance and they usually have delay after delay, which is typical. And yet, 98% of the time it's me contacting them over and over -- I bet with most I average about 10 messages/calls that I initiate. They almost never get back in touch to say, 'Hey we've set a date and would love to have you out.' It's not an exaggeration to say a post from OKCTalk means thousands in business not to mention the pyramid effect of learning from friends, repeat business, etc.

Even almost all the PR firms don't get it. They are busy charging their client to get something in the Oklahoman or 405. How many young people that frequent these places pay any attention to either?

It just shows how most of OKC still has a very old way of looking at things; how we are still pretty unsophisticated in too many ways.


I always use Boomtown Creamery as the polar opposite great example. I knew they were going to kill in the moment I talked to the young woman who runs it. It's become very predictable.

I interacted with the owners of Cross Timbers a few times. I'm not too surprised it went under. Hopefully something can fill that space. Now I need to get back to EdgeCraft...

I should add that after I badger some of these places and almost have to beg them just to come take photos (I do not accept any freebies at all; no food or drink, even at soft openings) many are still reluctant.

Then, I show up and the place is a mess, nobody is there to meet me, whoever is there doesn't know anything about me being there, etc. It takes me literally 10 minutes to get what I need... Pick the place up for crying out loud. More than one time I've told them, "Can I come back when you have everything looking like you want it?." This is after making the same request before the first visit.


I'm strongly considering only making this sort of effort for people who are willing to pay for a featured post. And even then, I'd still be pretty selective.

"Thanks for driving tens of thousands of $ our way... We added a couple of thousand social media followers. How about a free beer?"

Marketing, with all small businesses, is paramount.

And almost nobody invests in it or even considers it much before they open their doors.



Almost all these new places I contact well in advance

I always use Boomtown Creamery as the polar opposite great example. I knew they were going to kill in the moment I talked to the young woman who runs it. It's become very predictable.


What was different about boomtown?

Not familiar with the story

I'll be the outlier based on the comments above but I didn't see anything appealing about Cross Timbers: their beers were totally pedestrian and the patio was whatever.