Beer is more than a drink—it’s a story thousands of years in the making. From ancient Mesopotamian gatherings to European monasteries perfecting their craft, beer has always been about connection, creativity, and community. Every pint carries that legacy forward.
In Sapulpa, Oklahoma, that story finds new life at James Calley Brewing Company. This isn’t just another brewery—it’s a dream turned into a landmark. Here, old-world tradition meets modern innovation, fresh beer pairs with craft food, and the heartbeat of the community can be felt in every pour.
The journey to JCBC wasn’t a straight path. For co-founders Randy Calley and James “Jim” Dilley, it began more than a decade ago in the garage, experimenting with homebrews and imagining what it would mean to bring a brewery to Sapulpa. That dream took shape in 2019, when they purchased a historic downtown building that opened as a livery stable in 1915 and, over the decades, housed a variety of distribution businesses and a machine shop.
But turning a vision into reality wasn’t easy. Delays, red tape, and finally a global pandemic tested their resolve. Still, they pressed on. In 2024, James Calley Brewing Company finally opened its doors—not just as a brewery, but as a vibrant hub of food, music, and hospitality. “We were fortunate to work with people that really wanted this to happen, from our contractors to equipment providers to the City of Sapulpa; everyone was on board,” Jim explains.
The kitchen wasn’t even part of the original plan, but just months before opening, inspiration struck. “We have craft beer, but in our minds, we also wanted craft food, which partner and General Manager Amanda Stephens and Jen Wagner brought to life,” Randy shares. “Anyone can make good beer. Not everyone can be a true hospitality station.” That philosophy quickly became their foundation.
Freshness is central to everything at JCBC. Traditionally, beer is brewed in one vessel, fermented in another, and transported again before serving. JCBC does things differently. Using a unique system designed in Canada by BrewHa Equipment, they brew, ferment, finish, and serve from the very same vessel—a method so rare they may be the only brewery in the country using it as the manufacturer intended. Straight from the tank to your glass, JCBC calls it Vessel to VesselTM.
“It’s the idea of having the freshest beer possible,” Randy says. “There’s no better way to do beer than this.”
The approach not only protects flavor and ensures consistency but also conserves resources, using less water and energy than traditional methods. While other brewers wonder how JCBC pulls it off, Jim and Randy remain focused on the people walking through their doors, not on filling shelves in faraway stores.
Their beer menu reflects that balance of tradition and creativity. European styles like German lagers and Czech pilsners provide a foundation, while JCBC adds its own twist. The Black Lager—bold yet unexpectedly smooth—proves that dark beer doesn’t have to feel heavy. Equally important is JCBC’s commitment to quality ingredients, like malt from Proximity Malt, a company known for regenerative farming practices that restore soil health. “Every order comes with a report showing the environmental impact saved,” Randy notes. “That matters to us.”
What truly sets JCBC apart, though, is its role as a gathering place. The building was designed for brewing, but it thrives as a space for connection. Upstairs, the mezzanine hosts small wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and community events. Downstairs, live music fills the air, turning Thursday nights into a Sapulpa tradition. Larger events can also be accommodated on days they are normally closed.
“At first, music wasn’t part of the plan,” Jim admits. “But once we tried it, something clicked. By April we were booked out the rest of the year. Now, bands reach out from Texas, Ohio—you name it.”
Regulars have turned JCBC into their own version of Cheers. “We have people who come three nights a week now,” Jim laughs. “That’s what we wanted—to be the place where people feel at home.” Jim’s wife, Jennifer, and Randy’s wife, Betty, were responsible for the elegance and class of everything from the lighting and artwork to the comfort of the furniture.
In a crowded craft beer market, where many breweries chase distribution deals, Jim and Randy see a different future. “The market is saturated,” Jim says. “Breweries that try to compete with a retail model often don’t make it. The ones that last are the breweries that focus on being a community hangout and local pub, which is how craft beer really got started.”
That philosophy echoes beer’s oldest traditions. For thousands of years, beer wasn’t mass-produced—it was local, fresh, and tied to the people around it. JCBC is bringing that spirit back to Sapulpa.
This October, the brewery will celebrate its first anniversary. In just one year, it has grown from a dream into a cornerstone of Sapulpa life. With live music, evolving food specials, and new seasonal beers, the story is only beginning.
“We want people to feel welcome,” Jim says. “To walk away knowing they didn’t just have a great beer, but a great experience. That’s what it’s all about and our entire staff lives by it.”
James Calley Brewing proves that beer is more than a beverage. It’s a bond, a tradition, and a guiding light that brings a community together. And in Sapulpa, that light is burning bright.
“There’s no better way to do beer than this.” — Randy Calley
“That’s what we wanted—to be the place where people feel at home.” — Jim Dilley