Oklahoma Breweries To Serve, Sell Full-Strength Beer Starting Aug. 25

Beer lovers, rejoice!

A new law allows Oklahoma breweries to serve and sell so-called "high-point" beer starting August 25.

Sen. Brian Crain (R-Tulsa) sponsored the bill, which Gov. Fallin signed into law earlier this week.

That's exactly what Jimmy Ober wanted to hear. He's a regular at Marshall Brewing Company near 6th and Wheeling.

"They know how to brew a good beer," Ober said.

Marshall Brewing Co. first opened eight years ago, and times were different then. In fact, said Director of Sales Wes Alexander, when the brewery first opened, Oklahoma law said it couldn't sell any beer at all. 

"Would you expect to go to a bakery and not be able to buy bread?" Alexander said of the law.

Things have changed in just eight years. At the end of August, Marshall and all breweries in the Sooner State will be able to sell full-strength beer in their tap rooms. Customers will be able to drink on site, but also fill growlers and buy bottles and cans of high-point beer to take home.

It's the latest victory in an ongoing fight to modernize Oklahoma's liquor laws, a fight in which Marshall Brewing Company plays a large role.

"I am happy that the guys that are starting are going to have it a little bit easier," Alexander said, "because really, we all want better beer for everybody."

The guys at Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing will open their tap room located near 4th and Peoria in a few weeks. They hope 30-percent of all of their profits will come from tap room sales.

They're excited by the new law, and the direction Oklahoma is taking toward beer and wine sales.

"I feel like, in some sense, we're going through the Industrial Revolution but specifically for the trade of brewing," said Todd Phillips, director of operations for Dead Armadillo. 

Beer-makers say the new law will no doubt attract more breweries, which means more money in Oklahoma's pockets — and we can all toast to that.