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 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 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 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.

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 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.

Episode 23 - Red Earth Brewers Forum

To unofficially kick off Oklahoma City Craft Beer Week we were invited to record at the Inaugural Oklahoma Craft Brewers Forum hosted by the Red Earth Brewers home brew organization. This event brought out the members to a spectacular venue, Dunlap Codding, in the heart of downtown OKC.

Beer is OK was on hand selling our wares and meeting fellow beer geeks we typically interact with in the social media realm. This event showcased local home brews and raised some money for the REB.

The main event was a forum with Patrick from Anthem Brewing and Tony from Roughtail Brewing moderated by Nick Trougakos from the ThirstyBeagle blog. Many topics were touched on, the most exciting was to hear the tweaking of Hoptometrist from Roughtail and the new rare release programs both breweries are implementing in the near future.

So crack open an Arjuna or Roughtail 2nd Anniversary and enjoy!

Episode 19 - Building a Brewery with Dead Armadillo

I had the pleasure to sit and hang with Mason and Tony of Dead Armadillo in their newest location in Tulsa, OK. Since they've started with their cans of Amber Ale brewed over at Roughtail their success was overwhelming. But two hot breweries coming up need space and the Armadillo boys finally found their own digs. We crack some Black Hop and continue our journey with them as they "Build a Brewery."

Music provided by: NoahT , Twitter: @noahtmusic

Episode 16 - Enter the Iron Monk

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Episode 16 - Enter the Iron Monk

Craft breweries are popping up all over these days with over 3,000 in production and more along the way that may soon put us over pre-prohibition numbers. With all the technology and social media these days you'd think we'd have a pretty good idea of what's "brewing" in terms of brewery start-ups. Heck, Oklahoma is ranked 44th in the nation with 0.5 breweries per capita and 13 operating breweries based on BrewersAssociation.org. So I was shocked when given a hot tip from Matt Denham, now with Roughtail Brewing, about 2 gents in Stillwater, OK and their new brewery, Iron Monk.

Music provided by: NoahT , Twitter: @noahtmusic

Episode 14 - Christmas Mystery

Episode 14

This all stemmed from a previous podcast with Kevin and Heather of LOCALOK.org. We have a few presents to open this evening from Massachusetts that Santa Kevin has brought over. Hopefully he didn't shake them to see what they were… But it wouldn't be Christmas unless we celebrate the real spirit of giving so we are sending some local Oklahoma Craft Beer in return.

So wherever you are share some cups of cheer, reminisce Christmas memories and gather round a fire with some Big Jamoke Porters and Uroboros stouts and listen in.

Challenge Your "buds"

For many years the traditional boys hang out was sitting around watching the game, sharing a few beers and discussing which movie had the best quotes. With the ever evolving craft beer market we have crept out of the primordial ooze of tradition and ventured on to test our palettes. This past Saturday my wife and I were invited to a blind IPA taste test. A sidebar here, I was never the biggest fan of IPA's and hops when first exploring craft beer but like all things my palette soon took to liking the slap to the face flavor these beers can pack.

With 8 attendees, 6 guys and 2 ladies, we were poured 27 different IPA's from around the country. Every participant brought at least 2 unique IPA's. A score sheet was created to rate Appearance of the beer, Aroma that the beer gave off, Flavor the beer presented and Taste of the beer and if you would purchase again. There were side bets as well to guess the actual beer you were drinking and how many IBU's (International Bitterness Units) each one had. We arrived a tad late and missed the first 5 but still had 22 beers of about 3 oz each to sample, not too shabby.

I can't tell you how much more fun I've had by simply enjoying a beer with friends and trying to guess exactly what I am drinking. Several good points came up throughout about not seeing a beer label and having a preconceived notion of what may be inside. Such a case was the surprise of the evening when everyone's overall scores were averaged and 2 Oklahoma craft beers beat out Pliny the Elder in the blind tasting. (Those beers were COOP F5 and Roughtail's IPA.) Again an example of heavily sought after beer that either did not live up to the hype or has found new and unexpected competition. A question of freshness was brought up but I do believe nothing was over a couple months old.

One of the disadvantages of the quantity consumed was that of our palette's constantly being tossed around. Near the end many participants felt they couldn't give an accurate grading no matter how many mozzarella sticks and pretzels they consumed. Our highly talented servers caught on to this and incorporated an interesting experiment. Our first and last beer was exactly the same, Schlafly's Tasmanian IPA. A world class IPA in my opinion and most scored it either the same or lower.

So next time you want to have some friends over, maybe get a little creative and challenge your taste buds. You may find your next go to beer or discover a whole new style of beer you never tried before.

Keep challenging your taste buds and Cultivate the Craft!

12 Days of Beer-mas

I never really understood where the song "12 Days of Christmas" came from and why they got such lame gifts...except of course the five gold rings. So I came up with my own list as a beer enthusiast and what others like me may want this Christmas if you're having trouble finding that suds-loving partner of yours a gift. 

I'll stay away from shameful plugs for my own merchandise (which can be found at Okie Crowe in the Deco District of Tulsa [OK. One shameful plug]) and focus on some easily attainable and affordable items that won't bust your wallet like the price of a Utopian.

1. "Mastering Home Brew: The Complete Guide to Brewing Delicious Beer" 

by Randy Mosher (Author of Radical Brewing and Tasting Beer)

 One of my favorite authors has done it again by giving us blue-collar beer brewers the tips and knowledge to brew world class beers in the comfort of our home. This won't be available until April of next year but you bet I got my preorder in already. In tandem with his Radical Brewing book this rendition gives home brewers tips, recipes and technical knowledge for beginners to novices. I'm most excited to learn how to develop a recipe and create unique craft beer that I would enjoy. Release date April 22, 2014

2. Hydro Flask www.hydroflask.com

Designed to keep beer cold, this is the first vacuum sealed, double-walled, stainless steel, blah blah blah. Frankly what they are saying is it doesn't get any better than this to store your beer for hikes, camping and picnics and shut up and give them your money. It also keeps coffee piping hot for when you have drank your session IPA or Breakfast Stout too fast and need to cure that hangover. But then why would you want to go and do a thing like that...

3. Okie Crowe Beer Basket

Another way to support local is shop Okie Crowe this holiday season. They have home made soaps made from spent grain, beer making kits, pet treats and custom holiday baskets. Pictured here are Beer Flat crackers, Sfoglini spent grain pasta, Slant Shack Bronk Brewery jerky, Beer Nuts hot bar mix, Beer Is OK koozie, Anarchy in a Jar beer mustard, and A. Whip Designs metal bottle opener.

4. Brew Master: The Craft Beer Game White Labs

This game is perfect for beer fans and home brewers where you collect cards to brew a beer and compete against each other through actual beer events to win the accolades of your adoring fans. While I have not played myself, Brew Master looks challenging as you learn how to brew certains types of ales and learn about all the trials and tribulations that can take place at a microbrewery. Good for beginners who know how to play Rummy and can drink craft beer at the same time.

5. Yeti Cooler yeticoolers.com

OK. I know I said affordable gifts but maybe some of you can afford the best cooler in the world. Yeti coolers are heavily respected in the beer industry and keeps anything cold for a long period of time. How long you may ask? Well, if you were to be stranded in the woods for a few days you'd at least have cold beer for that long, so there. These coolers are tough as nails and also make nice jockey boxes for those raging keggers your partner always throws. (They don't? Well now they have a reason.) If you can only afford their moderately priced merchandise at least you can look like you have expensive taste.

 6. Beer Tone Reader http://beertone.me/the-reader/

This product hits home for me as a graphic designer and would make a wonderful study tool. These Swiss geniuses took a spectrophotometer that is used to measure SRM (Standard Reference Method), to chart the spectrum of beer colors onto these handy swatches. Now they reference a lot of Swiss beers but the styles are well known and are a great tool to expand your beer brain if you haven't already killed it with that Barleywine from Schlafly. (Too late).

7. Great American Ale Trail by Christian DeBenedetti

I know, another book. But damn if it isn't filled with the most places you can find along America's highways for delicious craft beer. What's great is you don't have to read this from cover to cover. Just flip through, pick a state, read about all the great craft beer bars and brew pubs and breweries then hop in your car and visit them. Sounds like the gift that keeps on giving to me...

8. Cicerone Gift Card www.cicerone.org

You think you know everything about beer...Prove IT! This is the definitive organization that tests and certifies beer aficionados around the globe. Start with the Certified Beer Server test and move up the ladder with their multitude links for training your brain about beer, serving beer, styles, draught systems, etc. Did you know beer pairs better than wine? Now you can actually look smart after you've drank 5 strong ales because you know what malt's and hops are in them that got you so drunk in the first place. They offer off-taste kits and style flash cards as well.

9. High Gravity Home Brew Kit www.highgravitybrew.com

Tulsan's are blessed to have a high quality home brew shop like High Gravity. I love receiving gift cards and purchasing kits from these guys. I can't speak enough about the highly knowledgeable staff and selection of malts, hops, yeast and brewing equipment. Saves me a ton on trying to ship something here in one piece. Purchase your loved one a home brew starter kit and one of High Gravity's beer kits they assemble themselves so you can finally get that alone time you deserve. They even have workshops to learn how to use the kit as well as online ordering you can pick up right there in the store! (I swear I'm not getting any kickbacks from this plug...but I don't discourage it either). 

10. Marshall Brewing Co. Merch www.marshallbrewing.com

Let's keep things local by stopping over to Marshall Brewing near downtown Tulsa. Pick up some bitchin' red bike socks featuring Revival Red Ale and a comfy tri-blend shirt to match. They have glassware, brew shirts and more for that craft beer fan in your life. Don't forget to take your friends on a tour this December on Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm - 4pm. Purchase a glass for $5 (stocking stuffer) and help out a great charity as well. (This month features the Make-A-Wish Foundation of OK.) Prost!

11. BreweryMap.com App brewerymap.com

For the techie in your life that loves to travel. Are you curious if you missed a great brew pub or brewery on a recent road trip? Now you have the app that can show you any brew pub or brewery up to a 100 mile radius on your route to that wedding or yearly family vacation you dread so much. So long giant balls of yarn, we're visiting Piney River Brewing before heading home for Christmas this year!

12. Beer Tasting Paddle & Glasses BearMtnCarpentryCo

Craft beer begets crafty, well crafts. This beer paddle and glassware set found on Etsy is the perfect way to hold a tasting with friends. Paddle can be personalized and easily write on with chalk what you are sampling. Now you have no excuse to invite the neighbors over and educate the beer virgins the amazing qualities of local craft beer.

Brewing "Non-Standard Beers": An Inside Look at Brush Creek Brewing

People go through rites of passage in all walks of life with family and friends. Home brewing is no exception to the matter as we saw in the last blog where three guys were merely brought together by the passion and love of craft beer. The same can be said about Matt and Javier, the duo that makes up Brush Creek Brewing in Stillwater, OK.

They share a similar background in home brewing separately but over time connected over a passion to create quality craft beer. Matt was working in the restaurant industry for 6 years with a home brew hobby on the side and met his partner Javier, a home brewer for 10 years, when Javier's brother opened the College Bar in Stillwater. The affection for craft beer made the relationship click and that was the goal for the College Bar that opened in 2010 to be a craft beer destination in Stillwater.

"We started with 5 taps at 3.2% beer for the first month waiting for our liquor license, but once we got it we put on Great Divide and Left Hand Milk Stout to start drawing an interest", said Matt. From there they continued to grow to 24 taps total and more local beers were added like COOP F5 and Roughtail 12th Round. Their customer base mainly consists of college students and what better time to "mold young beer minds" as Matt says, to the world of local craft beer. That passion also made them the only bar in Oklahoma, that I know of anyway, with a Randall from Dogfish Head brewing. The Arrowhead from Marshall was certainly an experience when run through with Cascade and Citra hops and Porter peaches.

Matt also mentioned a desire to install cask ale taps which immediately made me want to purchase a Big Orange Bus pass to afford the commute back and forth to Stillwater. So you can see the passion and drive they have for just selling beer, you can only imagine what their talent of almost 20 years of home brewing could deliver.

"We figured, if we're doing this almost every week, why not build a brand out of it and get to where we are self-sustaining", Javier stated. I couldn't agree more as you see more people these days transforming hobbies into careers and bringing the brewing industry numbers back to pre-prohibition days in America. The hardest part wasn't finding a space or developing recipes but naming the brewery was a difficult task. "It's weird but it took us over a month because once that name is out there it's permanent", said Javier. Eventually they came up with Brush Creek since the creek runs behind the property where they brew. Thankfully they reassured me they don't pull water from the creek to use in their beers. They found a name that was local and represents a nano-brewery in Oklahoma which also reflects on their logo with the outline of the state and a hope cone.

Speaking of beer and hops...

Brush Creeks first beer was an amber ale but soon evolved towards a pale and wheat beer. However, as Matt says, these are "out of category" beers according to BJCP standards. They use American hops but feel they cater to both the hop heads and casual craft beer drinker that doesn't wreck your palette. The first beer I tried from them was a Black IPA a couple months back that Matt collaborated on where they just threw in random/leftover grains like rye. It simply blew me away with the body and flavor all wrapped into a nice beer. They've had their 8% wheat, yeah e-i-g-h-t, at charity events cautiously warning patrons this is not your standard wheat beer. Another beer they teased me with was a honey brown brewed with Target and Golding hops with local honey. Matt has experimented with numerous ingredients like chili peppers from a friends garden.

They are not scared to go beyond the standard flagship ales, using ingredients that are local, affordable and available year round. I was most fortunate to sample their session IPA that day. A floral wonderment at 4.3% with a rocky mountain head and beautiful golden color. Spiced with Simcoe and Amarillo I immediately fell in love. It went along perfectly with their philosophy of brewing local beer for local people who are outdoors men like themselves. "We will be doing kegs around Stillwater at first and eventually cans", they said. Down the road we'll also see special bottle releases of an Imperial IPA they developed along with some heavier beers. Currently they brew 1.5 bbls on an electronic system similar to Brew Magic's set up.

What's most encouraging is they display a cautionary attitude with their venture of making local craft beer on a local level. People have approached them with money to help with their endeavors but truly they want to be hands on with every aspect from the building to the brewing. They are family men first with full time jobs and love to brew on the side. I applaud them with their entrepreneurial spirit and can't wait to drive over to Stillwater and brew with them soon which will take place in their new 30x30 aluminum barn they are currently building.

Home Brew Update!

Thanks to the efforts of D'Wain and Ethan we've successfully bottled our first ever Beer Is OK home brew. All credit really goes to Ethan for formulating the recipe and instilling his wealth of brewing knowledge to achieve this inaugural brew. Coincidentally, the sweet potato porter reflects our logo with the colors orange and brown. We'll hopefully have a tasting. Stay tuned for more details!

Prost!

The "Doctor" Is In

While perusing Twitter one day I stumbled upon a re-tweet about a gypsy brewer coming to Oklahoma. Naturally intrigued by new beers being brewed in our state I dug through Twitter to find out @DocBuckmans. He hails from the Yuengling state of Pennsylvania with professional brewing experience at The Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh. He certainly has a passion and you can get his full story by reading his blog: Doc Buckman's Beer. There you will get his line up of beers like Snake Oil IPA and Lazy Bully Lager.

Ethan works his craft. (Photo by D'Wain Carthen)

In the meantime Ethan has taken a job with Mustang providing sales support for the Tulsa area and developing recipes. Sounds pretty amazing for someone that's only 22. I had a big passion for drinking quality beer but Ethan certainly took it to a whole new level at that age. After meeting through Twitter we met several times to enjoy local craft beer like Prairie Standard at R Bar over poutine and at home with an eclectic beer collection while dining on Andolini's pizza. (Do you see a trend forming?) We went through a bit of our reserves that day so we decided why not do a home brew to replenish our stock.

With three extract brews under my belt I was chomping at the bit to brew again. We brought in fellow blog contributor D'Wain Carthen as well and commandeered his home in the process. (Thanks Jess!) D'Wain was new to the whole brewing process and this time so was I as we used the brew-in-a-bag method. 

But what did you brew you may ask? Well the Fall season is upon us so we kicked around the idea of a pumpkin ale. While pumpkins are highly favored; what was once unusual and unheard of seemed mainstream, so Ethan suggested a sweet potato porter. It sounds complex but it couldn't be simpler by adding sweet potato to your wort and boil up those starches and create a dark and malty porter.

Brew day went well thanks to High Gravity always having an amazing stock of grains, hops and yeast to choose from. The brew-in-a-bag method was a mystery but after witnessing first hand and squeezing out the wort I think I found a new method. Naturally we imbibed on Oklahoma Craft beer like Marshall's 5, Prairie Puncheon and Choc's Gratzer and consumed Siegi's fine German food. Awww Schnitzel! 

After imbibing and catching up on TV shows we need to watch Ethan made note of the new Unbridled Series that Mustang Brewery will soon release. "They will all be very hop forward for the styles and the hops we'll be using wont just be the typical west coast citra and cascade combo," Ethan said. They are developing a Tripple, India Red Ale and a Black Lager for some time this winter.

This is just part one of the home brew saga so stay tuned to hear how it turns out and you may even be able to sample our first Beer Is OK beer!