In just over a week (Friday, August 26th) OK's first unprecedented alcohol law change will go into effect allowing our local breweries to sell their "strong" beer (beer in excess of 4% ABV). For those following the proposed changes, including those we'll be voting on in November, this change has been largely overshadowed but in regards to our local craft scene this change will have the largest affect.

Several of our local breweries will be having specials on that day to celebrate. If you're a craft fan you should make plans to visit one <or more!> breweries next weekend to show your support. This will be quite the game changer for our craft beer scene, cheers!

Here's a post copied from a FB group that should have most of what's going on, that's at least public/current.


On 8.26.16, breweries will be able to have a true tap room, sell cold strong beer and enjoy the privileges they should have had a long time ago.

What have you heard, where are the events, and where are you going?

Events will be posted below as they get added:
OKC
○ Roughtail - Taphouse open 4-9pm
○ COOP - Oktoberfest Release Details: https://goo.gl/qKbM3E
○ Elk Valley - TBD
○ Anthem - Food truck. New shirt. Beers. Saturday will be two food trucks, comedy show, more beers. Details: https://goo.gl/AN7Ki6 & https://goo.gl/iOOIyf

Tulsa
○ American Solera - Several beers on tap, & bottle releases. Details: https://goo.gl/YBjl2O
○ Marshall - Special Releases, Live Music, 12-8
○ Dead Armadillo - Tap Room 12-7 w/ special one offs

Heh - I see someone else is a member of Oklahoma Lets Talk Craft Beer...

When will I be able to fill a growler with F-5? Thx.

When will I be able to fill a growler with F-5? Thx.

Growlers are still up in the air, as far as I know.

Growlers are still up in the air, as far as I know.
Yeah, I think the language in the bill was a little wonky, so ABLE is working on interpreting it. Hopefully they're allowed.

Heh - I see someone else is a member of Oklahoma Lets Talk Craft Beer...

I'm very passionate about beer and brewing so I try to be associated with every blog, group, etc in order to find out what's the latest news and whatnot.

When will I be able to fill a growler with F-5? Thx.

A decision is still out on growler/crowlers (we may hear something today though). Senator Bice says worst case is we can get it straightened out next legislative session if we're shut down by ABLE this year.

That said you will be able to buy fresh cans (and kegs!) directly from the brewery starting next Friday. I'm not sure about COOP but Roughtail is going to have brewery only releases of fresh IPA and other hoppy beers. It's going to awesome!

I'm very passionate about beer and brewing so I try to be associated with every blog, group, etc in order to find out what's the latest news and whatnot.

Ditto.

http://www.thirstybeaglebeerblog.com/2016/08/reversal-able-aims-to-block-brewery.html?m=1
Looks like ABLE wants to not allow full strength beer by the glass at breweries. This would kill most of the taprooms, would it not? Either way, ugh.

Do you think this means most of these brewpubs like the recently announced Prairie will just call off their plans? Unless I am misinterpreting this, is there a point anymore?

It's amazing how much dysfunction there are is in all these bureaucratic committees and agencies. In the end though, state lawmakers need to write laws specific enough (maybe they did, but I would assume not) so that ABLE isn't afforded such discretion.

Another ridiculous ruling by ABLE and another setback to the state and economic development. What else is new?

If anyone wants to make their voice heard on this issue, ABLE is holding a public hearing this Friday. ABLE Commission meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m Friday at the agency, 3812 N. Santa Fe

https://www.ok.gov/able/Commission_Meeting_Agenda/index.html

F*ck ABLE. Bunch of bureaucrats getting off with their tiny slice of power.

Another ridiculous ruling by ABLE and another setback to the state and economic development. What else is new?

If anyone wants to make their voice heard on this issue, ABLE is holding a public hearing this Friday. ABLE Commission meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m Friday at the agency, 3812 N. Santa Fe

https://www.ok.gov/able/Commission_Meeting_Agenda/index.html


F*ck ABLE. Bunch of bureaucrats getting off with their tiny slice of power.
#keepoklahomaawful

It seems like a lot of people are pretty angry about this ruling (not to sidetrack, but I wish people got this angry about the injustices in our schools!) so it seems an opportune time to mobilize political support against this decision... and then push hard for other alcohol laws. It starts with attending that ABLE meeting. Seize the moment, Okies.

The bill's intent seems pretty damn clear:

Section 521. A. A brewer license shall authorize the holder thereof: To manufacture, bottle, package, and store beer on licensed premises; to sell beer in this state to holders of Class B wholesaler licenses and retail licenses and to sell beer out of this state to qualified persons; to sell beer produced by the licensee to consumers twenty-one (21) years of age or older on the premises of the brewery; and to serve free samples of beer produced by the
licensee to visitors twenty-one (21) years of age or older. For purposes of this section, no visitor may sample more than a total of



It doesn't say that they only have the right to sell bottled or packaged beer to consumers (as it does for wholesalers, retailers and qualified persons), it generally says that they can sell beer produced at the brewery to consumers over 21. Not sure why ABLE believes it specifically has to say by the pint or glass.

The bill's intent seems pretty damn clear:

Section 521. A. A brewer license shall authorize the holder thereof: To manufacture, bottle, package, and store beer on licensed premises; to sell beer in this state to holders of Class B wholesaler licenses and retail licenses and to sell beer out of this state to qualified persons; to sell beer produced by the licensee to consumers twenty-one (21) years of age or older on the premises of the brewery; and to serve free samples of beer produced by the
licensee to visitors twenty-one (21) years of age or older. For purposes of this section, no visitor may sample more than a total of



It doesn't say that they only have the right to sell bottled or packaged beer to consumers (as it does for wholesalers, retailers and qualified persons), it generally says that they can sell beer produced at the brewery to consumers over 21. Not sure why ABLE believes it specifically has to say by the pint or glass.

I think it's still ambiguous, as it doesn't specify the ability to consume on premises, only purchase. However, it can be fixed by the legislature, though it won't be until next session. Assuming, that is, the ABLE commission follows through with the ban on on-site consumption.

This is the problem with leaving things ambiguous and in statues vs constitution. It leaves things open to interpretation or involvement from the state legislature.

Hoping to see some people at this meeting here shortly, 10AM. The ABLE Commission is located on the Northeast corner of 37th/38th and Santa Fe.

Does no one get with ABLE during the process of writing the law to ensure that it is specific enough to get their intent across?

I think it's still ambiguous, as it doesn't specify the ability to consume on premises, only purchase. However, it can be fixed by the legislature, though it won't be until next session. Assuming, that is, the ABLE commission follows through with the ban on on-site consumption.

While ambiguous...it just says they can sell beer...to me that means without restriction of how it's sold and that was pretty clearly the intent. More clarification would be great, but still gives no reason for able to have a stick up their a** and nix the whole thing.

While ambiguous...it just says they can sell beer...to me that means without restriction of how it's sold and that was pretty clearly the intent. More clarification would be great, but still gives no reason for able to have a stick up their a** and nix the whole thing.

Totally agree. I would think with laws, one would err on the side of less restriction when ambiguous instead of more restriction. In my mind, laws should outline what is not allowed, so an absence of specifics would be taken as allowed by law. I can't even tell if that made sense, but hopefully I got my point across.

From what people attending the meeting are saying on Twitter, ABLE is unsure about their interpretation and are kicking it up to Pruitt's office.

I can see where their interpretation could apply. The language is the same for selling to wholesale distributors as it is for on-premise sale to customers. So I could see the argument that it can be sold the same way to consumers and distributors: in cans and bottles.

I don't think that was the intend of the change in the law though.

As people are saying here, as in the meeting, the language is ambiguous, but the intent is clear to allow direct sale of drinks by the glass.

I attended the meeting, and it looks like the Commission may revisit the issue as early as this afternoon.

Representative Cory Williams, one of the authors of the bill, urged the Commission to not defer to the AG's office for a recommendation, citing that it took six months to receive a response last time he personally did so.

Brianna Bailey had a good series of tweets this morning from the meeting from various folks: https://twitter.com/briOKC

The financial hardship on those brewers who invested expecting this to pass cleanly is really tragic if this were to not pass as expected.

Yeah, Bruce Sanchez of Twisted Spike Brewery said that they've already invested $400,000 into their brewery, and just spend another $150,000 last week taking out a loan o expedite the build of their taproom in anticipation for the clean passing of 424.

Potentially stupid question: if they convene a special legislative session to do raises for teachers, could they not use the opportunity to clean up the language in this bill and make everyone happy? Considering what appears to be a very negative public perception of the state legislature's job performance of late, it seems like that would be quite the two-fer for them. :Smiley051

(Unfortunately I don't think that's the way special sessions work. One can only dream of such efficiency, I guess.)

I am going to cross my fingers and chant.. and hope that upon taking another look this afternoon they rule to allow the sale of beer on site for consumption. I am just gonna put that out in the universe and hope it sticks..

Potentially stupid question: if they convene a special legislative session to do raises for teachers, could they not use the opportunity to clean up the language in this bill and make everyone happy? Considering what appears to be a very negative public perception of the state legislature's job performance of late, it seems like that would be quite the two-fer for them. :Smiley051

(Unfortunately I don't think that's the way special sessions work. One can only dream of such efficiency, I guess.)

It depends on how the special session is called. A special session must focus solely on the particular issue
the governor identifies when calling the special session. So, if she calls a special session to deal with the $140 million in funds left over by their incompetent cutting, the legislature may not use that opportunity to address their other incompetencies, like clarifying the language in SB424.

I am going to cross my fingers and chant.. and hope that upon taking another look this afternoon they rule to allow the sale of beer on site for consumption. I am just gonna put that out in the universe and hope it sticks..

Perhaps a better option is to call Scott Pruitt's office and ask him to uphold the intent of SB424 and allow taprooms to sell high point beer for their customers to drink. I did. 405-521-3921

For those interested in doing something now...

12892

https://twitter.com/JR_MollzFlem/status/766735846800175108


BREAKING: AG's office on selling high-point beer by the glass -- We expect a formal opinion prior to the law taking effect on Thursday.

Perhaps a better option is to call Scott Pruitt's office and ask him to uphold the intent of SB424 and allow taprooms to sell high point beer for their customers to drink. I did. 405-521-3921

I did that as well actually. was just being silly.

From https://twitter.com/tbrownOKC/status/768198290361896961


.@AGScottPruitt gives OK for Okla. brewers to sell high-point beer on site. Opinion here: https://www.ok.gov/oag/documents/Attorney%20General%20Opinion%202016-6.pdf …

And the opinion: https://www.ok.gov/oag/documents/Attorney%20General%20Opinion%202016-6.pdf


It is, therefore, the official Opinion of the Attorney General that:
1. Senate Bill 424 permits a brewer licensee to sell beer it produces to
consumers twenty-one years of age or older for consumption by that
consumer on the licensed premises.
2. Senate Bill 424 permits a brewer licensee to sell packaged beer it
produces to consumers twenty-one years of age or older for consumption
by that consumer off of the licensed premises.

Disregard. Was posting the link to the AG's opinion. However, hooray beer!

Yay!

Great news!

What???? The state government did something right??? Que twilight zone music

This is going to be awesome!!

Rejoice!

In just over a week (Friday, August 26th) OK's first unprecedented alcohol law change will go into effect allowing our local breweries to sell their "strong" beer (beer in excess of 4% ABV). For those following the proposed changes, including those we'll be voting on in November, this change has been largely overshadowed but in regards to our local craft scene this change will have the largest affect.

Several of our local breweries will be having specials on that day to celebrate. If you're a craft fan you should make plans to visit one <or more!> breweries next weekend to show your support. This will be quite the game changer for our craft beer scene, cheers!

If you (or anyone else) knows of locals who will do growler refills please post the info. COOP is not offering this service and I am disappointed to say the least. I am not interested in pre-filed 32 oz cans.
Thanks

If you (or anyone else) knows of locals who will do growler refills please post the info. COOP is not offering this service and I am disappointed to say the least. I am not interested in pre-filed 32 oz cans.
Thanks

Last time I was at coop they were filling and sealing the cans/crowlers when you bought them. Have they stopped that?

I think they were filling growlers at Anthem before.

Roughtail fills growlers. They have some pretty fancy looking ones, too.

I worked at Belle Isle Brewery from 2000-2004 and we did growlers even back then.

I've had growlers refilled at Mustang and Roughtail, pretty sure Anthem does them as well. Elk Valley at Mustang Brewery also does fills.

How well does a good growler keep beer fresh?

I know they hold 67 oz. which is about 5 pints.

So, if you have a growler in your fridge and drink one pint every few days -- meaning it would be about 2-3 weeks before it was drained -- does the beer stay as fresh as canned or bottled beer?

^ With a growler, I've had beer stay good for a few days, assuming you close the lid tightly. The whole growler vs crowler thing is interesting. From what I know, the crowlers were developed by Oskar Blues out of Colorado (and a recent addition to our state's selection of craft beer). There are advantages to each. Growlers are reusable, but folks may not get them cleaned or sterilized properly. Crowlers are single use, but are much cheaper for the brewery, and assumably, for the consumer. With growlers, you need to consume relatively quickly. Crowlers can be stored and kept for weeks and or months after purchase, potentially.

There's a little history here - http://allaboutbeer.com/article/beer-crowlers/

and more here - https://www.alcoholprofessor.com/blog/2014/07/24/enter-the-crowler/

I have a stainless steel refillable Growler.. it has a good cap that keeps beer pretty fresh but I think the Crowler is a much more efficient system. no cleaning ect.

Thanks for the feedback.

Can you also buy kegs directly from Coop, Anthem, etc?

yes you can buy kegs directly as well.

yes you can buy kegs directly as well.


Anthem said that the kegs they sell will remain 3.2 with no plans for full strength kegs for consumers in the near future. Breweries are allowed to sell full strength and hopefully others will.

Anthem said that the kegs they sell will remain 3.2 with no plans for full strength kegs for consumers in the near future. Breweries are allowed to sell full strength and hopefully others will.

I wonder why they won't sell full strength?

I'm seriously considering a kegarator and don't want the 3.2 stuff.

I wonder why they won't sell full strength?

I'm seriously considering a kegarator and don't want the 3.2 stuff.

I bet they will eventually. I am not 100% sure but I believe I have seen a few of the others post about full strength kegs.

A dual tap kegerator that takes two 1/6th kegs would be pretty awesome.

I'm envisioning Coop Native Amber (my current favorite) on one, then something lighter like Coop Horny Toad on the other.

I love the local beers but am getting a bit tired of paying $7-8 a pint.

Pete,
I was buying full strength pony kegs at a small liquor on I-35 near where I lived. I don't remember seeing Anthem on the list but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I wonder if Anthem just doesn't sell strong beer kegs at the brewery. They obviously have strong beer kegs at bars. I had an Anthem draft at On the Border last week. It was on their strong beer side. On the Border in MWC has 3.2 beer on the left side and strong beer on the right.
C. T.

A dual tap kegerator that takes two 1/6th kegs would be pretty awesome.

I'm envisioning Coop Native Amber (my current favorite) on one, then something lighter like Coop Horny Toad on the other.

I love the local beers but am getting a bit tired of paying $7-8 a pint.

God I miss that beer.

A dual tap kegerator that takes two 1/6th kegs would be pretty awesome.

I'm envisioning Coop Native Amber (my current favorite) on one, then something lighter like Coop Horny Toad on the other.

I love the local beers but am getting a bit tired of paying $7-8 a pint.

I saw that Roughtail is selling full strength kegs directly at the brewery.

Last time I was at coop they were filling and sealing the cans/crowlers when you bought them. Have they stopped that?

The e mail they sent me said they had 32 oz crowlers for sale, which I inferred they were pre filled. I prefer the reseal able feature of growlers, as well as an unexplainable preference to consuming beer from glass containers. Thanks for the information.

I wonder if with these changes Bricktown Brewery might start offering up some stronger options as well now?