Episode 43 - Jeff Wood, Creative Director of Rahr & Sons Brewing

Hey Hoplahoma, there's a new brewery in town. For the first time in their 12 year history, Rahr & Sons brewing has branched out to their neighbor to the north, Oklahoma. I talk with Jeff, their Creative Director in charge of labels, merchandise and promotional products. In short...my ideal job. One day. Until then, here is a bit from their press release...

"February 9, 2016 - Fort Worth, Texas - One of the largest craft breweries in Texas is expanding to the Sooner state. Starting March 1, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.’s craft beers will be available on store shelves and on tap at many restaurants and bars in Oklahoma.

Beers to be initially released in Oklahoma will include: Rahr’s Blonde, a Munich-style Helles Lager and the brewery’s very first beer; Ugly Pug, a Schwarzbier Black Lager; Stormcloud, an English India Pale Ale; Buffalo Butt, an American Amber; and Iron Thistle, a seasonal Strong Scotch-style Ale. Other beers will be released seasonally throughout the year.

With a strong German background and almost 170 years of brewing tradition in his blood, owner Fritz Rahr opened Rahr & Sons more than a decade ago with his wife, Erin. Rahr said he and his team look forward to serving their neighbors up north."

Rahr & Sons has been featured in local and national media, including being named in the top 4 of the 20 best craft breweries in America by Time Out, as well as the Best Brewery/Distillery by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine for two years in a row. For more information, please visit rahrbrewing.com and facebook.com/rahrbrewing.

Episode 42 - Andrew Jolly of DoubleShot

 

Andrew and I met a while back on the bottling line of Prairie Artisan Ales. We certainly share a love for locally made craft beer and coffee. Naturally, as a barista, Andrew has much more of an affinity for the caffeinated nectar of the gods. For a while now I have wanted to have this discussion about the parallels of craft beer and the coffee industries. Both are brewed and steeped, created by individuals with a passion and created in small batches. I'm sure there is more and we touch on those here for sure. This will be a journey into how beer and coffee work so well together as an adjunct and how both share similar flavor characteristics and literally poured over in as to what is the best and worst in the industry. We'll revisit this topic again and learn the process of brewing a beer with coffee and how one goes about picking the right combinations.

Episode 41 - Chef Trey of R Bar

Craft beer has a long history of being categorized as a food, a liquid bread, if you will and preferred over water when it wasn't as pure like the present day. Tulsa is home to a restaurant and bar where craft beer and locally sourced cuisines walk hand in hand. Welcome to R Bar. A place where you can find the newest offering from local breweries like Marshall and Prairie and enjoy with culinary delicacies from Chef Trey Winkle. Trey has turned traditional bar food on its head and created signature dishes like poutine with locally sourced cheese curds to the WAG burger served with a fried egg are enjoyed by all craft beer connoisseurs. Along with beer brunches and craft beer flights using Beer is OK's custom flight paddles, Trey and R bar are the perfect craft beer destination.

Episode 40 - Blaine Stansel of Roughtail Brewing Company

Hey everyone, thanks for joining the Oklahoma Craft Beer podcast. Quick announcement for those in the Tulsa area. I will have a pop up shop at West Elm in Utica Square on February 13 for those last minute Valentines gifts from 10 am to 5 pm. I'll have bar towels, bottle openers, apparel and new Hoppalo stickers. Come on out and view the 3 other shops as well and support local. Thanks!

It was only a matter of time before I had my guest Blaine from Roughtail on the show. Roughtail will celebrate their 3rd anniversary this April 9th in Midwest City and I can't wait. Since they've released their line of aggressively hoppy beers there has been a consistent demand for their IPA, Polar Night stout and their double IPA, Hoptometrist. Naturally the fresher the better, but usually not a problem since everything they produce are cans. There are quite a few announcements and topics we kicked around from expansion to the future modernization of Oklahoma liquor laws so pair this podcast with a Roughtail Pale Ale like I did and enjoy.

Episode 39 - CBAO - Special Presentation Part 2

The conclusion to the Craft Beer Summit, or State of the Brewnion that took place January 13 at Oak & Ore. We hear about how craft beer fared in 2015 by Micki, Prairie Artisan Ales new event coordinator. Adam Marshall talks about current laws and what we as consumers need to do to support the change in our archaic laws. We finish up with a small panel of breweries that discuss what it takes to go from home brewer to owning your own company.

Be sure to check local breweries like Marshall and Anthem to purchase official CBAO pint glasses for $5. All proceeds go back to the CBAO in funding for a lobbyist.

Episode 38 - Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma - Special Presentation

Oklahoma is starting of the year on a positive note with the first ever Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma beer summit. Labeled as the "State of the Brewnion", local craft breweries from Oklahoma gathered to discuss the past, present and future of their artisanal craft at Oak & Ore in OKC on January 13, 2016. This was a monumental occasion in having pivotal players like the brewers and representatives from OK senate to acknowledge our archaic liquor laws. For the past few years grassroots efforts have been diligently working to get the word out to the masses and we have reached a point where the breweries have said enough and want to have equal treatment like most other states in the union.

In the next 2 episodes we will hear from activists, brewers and employees about the state of craft beer in Oklahoma and how we, the consumer can help change the archaic laws.

After listening please find your local state representative and make your voice heard that these laws must change.

Finally, continue to support local breweries by purchasing their beer and merchandise. Your dollar always has a vote. It has always been my goal to support local breweries and I can't think of a better way then this podcast you are listening to. Always remember: Beer Is OK.

Episode 37 - Chris Dill of Snipe Brewing

There's that chill in the air again, well, there was until today when we hit 64 degrees in the first week of December. It's been a while since our last show but it's been a busy time as well. Doing this on my own is no small feat and paying bills never ends. But with that my creative mind has developed some rather inspiring artwork that'll you will see on my Etsy store and local vendors. If you haven't already please visit it at etsy.com/shop/beerisok. Lots of good stocking-stuffers are there for home brewers, hop heads and all types of beer drinkers. I also want to take this time to thank the local retailers who sell my items: Okie Crowe and Ida Red in Tulsa; Blue 7, Tree+Leaf and Graphite Element in OKC. This state is nothing short of creative people that inspire and want to see artists grow and flourish. I surely wouldn't be successful without them and am truly grateful to them.

There's been a great deal of development in the past couple months with stout season upon us and local breweries and distributors keeping shelves stocked with strong ales, imperial stouts and a full spice cabinet packed into ales. I cherish this time of reflection whilst sipping on something strong and enduring, especially those beers that are made here. I recently did that at LOCAL's Tulsa Winter Warmer. A small, intimate affair to really interact with some of Oklahoma's finest breweries, try something new and original and relax with good friends. Our beer community is strong and growing which brings us to our guest this episode.

Chris Dill leads a simple life in Pryor, OK. About as simple as you can in the country with three kids under 7 mind you. For the past year he and his brother-in-law David have been brewing and like any hobby he takes up, he submerges into it completely. So much so that he's been volunteering at Prairie Artisan Ales for bottling days and picking the brains of local brewers as well. He envisions a small farmhouse brewery in Pryor making sour table beer and anything else that make strike his fancy. This is Chris Dill of Snipe Brewing.

Episode 36 - Twisted Spike Brewing Part 2

Welcome to Oklahoma Craft Beer where we take the pulse of our local craft beer culture. Today we have the compelling conclusion of Bruce's brewery and how Twisted Spike came to be. But first a few items to mash out...Fall is here, REJOICE! Pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers have taken over! It's also beer festival season in the Tulsa area and over on issuu.com/beerisok we listed several upcoming events you do not want to miss. This coming weekend is McNellie's Harvest Beer Fest which has grown substantially over the years in downtown Tulsa. One of the most affordable and fun tastings featuring new breweries to the state like Kolibri Ale Works and now Alpine and Schmaltz brewing company. Again be sure to visit our shop on Etsy or Spreesy.com/beerisok. Your support helps continue this podcast and the magazine. Be sure to write a review and rate our show to let others like yourself learn about our show. And now, the conclusion yet exciting beginning of Twisted Spike brewing.

Episode 35 - Twisted Spike Brewing Part 1

Labor day afforded my wife and I to take a trip over to Oklahoma City this year. We took a slight detour though over to the neighboring city of Edmond. Winding through the burbs and pleasant neighborhoods you'll find what most have taken to as a major hobby these days. Bruce Sanchez was diligently at work on a new brew in his garage. His brew system consisted of converted kegs that was multi-purpose for sparging and cooling the wort. A true rig by a veteran engineer like himself it is n wonder guys like this are making good beers. We got a quick tour of his garage, his 2 beer fridges with libations to keep him going and cold storage for lagering. The oppressive heat took us inside where his cellar was bursting with sours he concocted over the past couple years. Bruce is a smart guy and has taken his time to formulate recipes as well as the perfect venue to serve them up. Listen in as my wife and I get the scoop with Bruce and wife Donna and how Twisted Spike came to be.

Episode 34 - #OKinAR

A couple weeks ago I took a field trip with friends Scott and Kevin of LOCAL and Tom Gilbert of the Tulsa World and What the Ale blog. Our mission: infiltrate the AR craft beer scene by sampling and purchasing high strength beers on their premises. First stop was food in historic downtown Rogers where we relied on Yelp to help us find Levi’s Gastrolounge. A renovated building served up some of the “best burgers for the next 100 miles” and local beer offerings. Ozark’s Berliner Weisse was the favorite as a straw colored sour beer quenched our thirst from the onslaught of heat outside. We talked Columbus House and folks over at Puritan Brew Co. To read more of our day trip and where to go, check out The LOCAL Report in the Oklahoma Craft Beer Guide magazine on Issuu.

Episode 33 - OK+ Series: Austin Clar of Sublime Imports

The beer scene in Oklahoma continuously grows every month it seems. We have several brokers and wholesalers bringing in new clients constantly. Over the past couple years we've seen Founders, Green Flash, Lagunitas, Evil Twin and now Lazy Magnolia out of Mississippi joins the portfolio of American craft products.

I've taken a look at the local culture of craft beer and with this new OK plus series I want to focus on brands that want to grow and flourish in Oklahoma.

I first learned of Sublime Imports from Michael Kiser's Good Beer Hunting podcast where his guest Austin Clar spoke of their imports available from Spain and Israel. As I listened further trying to soak up Michael's interview techniques and fulfill my beer geek needs I learned Sublime has a tie to Oklahoma. They joked briefly about how one does not simply come to Oklahoma and bypass major metropolitan cities that could support your brands. But Sublime has a natural tie to Oklahoma as Austins partner Michael has roots here. They are bringing in unique offerings that you'd most likely never look for on the shelf. One is brewed with rosemary honey, another with Mediterranean sea water. Yet as wild as some American craft beers have become lately what makes these beers from Spain so different and less appealing. We'll find out soon how Austin and Michael came to the OK market and what challenges they face with our archaic laws.

Episode 32 - BeerSnobRob

Rob Neville. Comedian. Somewhat home brewer. Beer Snob. Well, not really. Rob and I met up at the Patriarch in Edmond, OK to check out the latest craft beer bar in the state. Thankfully places like this continue to pop up as an old house has been converted into, well a house with 48 taps, wine and bottled beer with a backyard full of tables, a patio, stage, yard games and another bar when it really gets busy. So make sure to check them out.

So being in an old house there was a bit of noise and naturally we had a small audience to make Rob feel more comfortable as we talk home brewing disasters, the hilarity of Untappd and pretty much put big beer in its place.

So check him out at RobNeville.com and @beersnobrob on all the social media platforms.

WARNING: There is some explicit language in this episode. Not every other word but mostly used within context. So for all you Keystone Light drinkers, be prepared.

Bullets 2 Bandages

So I've been following the +BeerDisciples Ross for some time watching their beer reviews and endless tweets about the craft beer industry. I noticed a posting for bloggers who wanted free swag. I'm hardly one to turn anything down so of course I jumped at the opportunity. Ross is a marketing/social media guru and partners with B2B on advertising their products that range from these openers to necklaces and apparel. Once we connected, a .50 caliber, matte black shell with my Beer Is OK logo showed up.

This thing is simply incredible. Completely upcycled from a once fired bullet it is hefty and well crafted. The logo embossed in gold is a nice touch with sharp quality.

Bullets 2 Bandages started as a way to give thanks to the U.S. veterans and eventually give back to programs that support them.

Head on over to www.bullets2bandages.org and check out their vast array of openers in many sizes and finishes. Check out their local partners like Beer Disciples and pick up their bourbon barrel bullet opener. The best part about these items is they are all handcrafted here in America, just like your favorite craft beer.

Episode 31 - Nothing's Left Brewing

Say you've been homebrewing for a while with your good friend and you finally want to give it a try on a professional level. My guests this episode are Aaron and Travis of Nothing's Left Brewing. The name may be a bit odd but appropriate in the right vernacular which could probably spawn some rather clever beer names down the road. They are just coming online with their first festival appearance in Broken Arrow's Red, White and Brew that I later learned they had a great reception and gave out every drop of their beer. We go through the ins and outs of why they think this venture in a state with heavy restrictions can prosper as we share their low point strawberry blonde beer.

Episode 29 - Celebrating 6 years of Mustang Brewing Co.

Tim Schoelen of Mustang has a natural business mentality. Something that is sacred when trying to grow a brewery in a state full of alcohol restrictions. Throw in a tornado that destroys your primary operation and now you have an evangelist that could have easily packed it in but instead built a bigger brewery and developed the OKCity Co-Op brewery for a second time. It's no wonder Mustang has been around for 6 years, now located in the outskirts of downtown.

Tim graciously took some time with me to discuss the beginning of the idea to build a brewery to moving away from canned craft beer while so many others are only canning. Tim knows what he likes and has the confidence in his staff which now includes collaborations with Choc Beer in Krebs to experiment and create the best craft beer for Oklahomans.

Settle in with some Tractor Therapy Session IPA and listen in as we discuss the evolution of Mustang Brewing Co.

Episode 30 - 2015 Red White and Brew Festival

I had the honor talking to Debra of BA Buzz and Kevin of Soldiers Wish about the July 18th Red, White and Brew beer festival in Broken Arrow.

Episode 28 - S#@!ShowQualls

Welcome back to the Oklahoma Craft Beer podcast where we are cultivating the craft of our local beer culture. We've been on a small hiatus due to the release of our new magazine which you can find digitally on the website/app Issuu.com. Just head over to Oklahomacraftbeer.com and click on the magazine page. Be sure to follow us and share as often as you can on Issuu.com. We'll be updating our website as well so be on the look out for that soon. Finally, I'm looking for a few good sponsors that share the same vision on promoting the local craft culture. Email me: brian@beerisok.com for advertising in the magazine and podcast.

Business aside, my wife and I made a day trip to OKC to visit Mustang Brewing and celebrate their 6th year Anniversary. One of our cover girls for our inaugural magazine, Ashley Qualls, came by to discuss how life at Tapwerks is treating her and how craft beer has influenced her life. This is a continuation in our "Ladies of the Craft" feature. We've got a quite a few podcasts lined up in the coming weeks so you'll have plenty to listen to on your road trips and beer-cations this summer.

Episode 27 - Wild Brew Launch Party

One of the largest craft beer festivals will be taking place this August 22 and chances are you probably haven't heard about it. Now granted this isn't your typical beer festival that has all kinds of food from 50+ restaurants, over 185 beers to sample and live music. No, it has ALL of this plus a live wild birds soaring over your head at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa.



Welcome to Wild Brew, as they say, "The Greatest Party Ever Hatched." You may not have heard about it possibly because it is a fundraiser for the George M. Sutton Avian Research Center, their biggest of the year in fact. On June 4th I hung out with the Co-chairs and organizers at the launch party at Leon's in Tulsa while we sampled the FOAM/Anthem Brewing collaboration beer, a Belgian Tripel. Patrick, the head brewer at Anthem gave us an insight into the process.

So look forward to the Wild Brew Belgian Tripel (on tap now at Leon's) and get your tickets at wildbrew.org/tickets for 4 hours of the wildest party ever. If that doesn't convince you, maybe these guys will...

Episode 26: Ladies of the Craft-Haley Dennis

Lately I've noticed quite a few craft beer bars filled with great bartenders and wait staff. Most are quite knowledgeable in the local craft beer scene and the proper ways of serving these unique beers. A multitude of these people are women. Unfortunately, I have seen the stereotype uttered that these girls are just another pretty face to help sell beer and they don't know half of what they are talking about. Well, they couldn't be more wrong. 

Haley enjoying a Anthem Gose outside Oak & Ore.

I know for a fact many bars around Tulsa, OKC and craft bars popping up all around this state are training their staff to be Beer Server Certified from the Cicerone program. This includes the plethora of women that take pride in their craft skills. Haley Dennis is one of them. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, with the rain finally subsiding, I had the honor of picking the brain of one of Oklahoma's finest bartender and craft beer geek. We recorded on the patio of Oak and Ore where Hayley calls home and we picked up quite a bit from our neighbors of Roxy's ice cream parlor, which is highly recommended by the way. So please ignore the chatting in the background for the first 15 minutes if you can.

Episode 25 - Prairie Boys

You certainly can find a lot to do around Tulsa when you're looking for a new career. For the past couple of months I've had the pleasure of bottling beers at the Prairie brewery in Tulsa. It's been a rewarding experience to say the least and getting to hear the dialogue between Chase and Jake about brewing tidbits or Wes and Collin joke about new beer names and labels. It's a small, tight-knit family that comes together and builds this massive movement in the craft beer industry. As we joked in the episode sometimes you get down to 2 people running the bottling line because the phone never stops ringing and the e-mail inbox is always full.

The perks of a long hard day are worth it but you have to be on your feet all day, eventually covered in water and sticky beer and lift heavy cases. As always most see it as a labor of love for a well hand-crafted product. It's a great feeling to know something I helped bottle will be shared around the country and more importantly is putting Oklahoma on the craft beer map.