Not that long ago, the Oklahoma craft beer scene was small and almost non-existent. Revered pioneers including Choc Beer Company, Marshall Brewing and COOP helped to pave the way for the explosion of craft breweries we see today.
Thanks to overwhelming community support, Oklahomans have embraced local breweries with gusto.
Facebook pages like Freddy’s Craft Beer Gang and the Oklahoma Craft Beer Club (OCBC), and apps like Untappd provide consumer reviews, announcements about new and special releases, pint nights and tap takeovers.
Craft beer enthusiasts are always looking for special releases and limited production beers and aren’t afraid to try something new - even a beer that is brewed with pizza or chocolate or pizza and chocolate while others stick to their new favorites that are available all year long. The beers listed below can be found at independent liquor stores and restaurants across Oklahoma.
Dead Armadillo – Tulsa
Founder and brewmaster, Tony Peck, launched his brewery with “Amber” and still best-known ale with hints of toasted malt and a smooth finish. Look for the limited release, Oktoberfest – Dunkelweizen, a dark wheat ale brewed with a hefeweizen yeast.
Taproom: 1004 East Fourth St., Tulsa
Elk Valley Brewing Co. – Oklahoma City
John Elkins, owner, brewmaster and beer drinker, created his flagship beer “Magic Juice Double IPA,” a northeast style double IPA with Idaho 7, Mosaic and Comet hops. Juicy and hazy, with strong citrus and a subtle bitter heat. For those pumpkin spiced latte lovers, look for the super limited production “Pumpeon,” Imperial pumpkin ale aged in bourbon barrels with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and whole cloves.
Taproom: 1210 N. Hudson Avenue, Oklahoma City
Iron Monk Brewery – Stillwater
Jerod Millirons and Dave Monks founded Iron Monk Brewing Company, bringing the first craft brewery to Stillwater. “Stilly Wheat” is their most well-known beer, a crushable Belgian wheat that is brewed with Gallagher wheat developed at Oklahoma State University. “The Nine IPA” is the most recent addition to Iron Monk’s core list of beers. Ever the Pokes supporters, the label design was a contest among OSU design school students.
Taproom: 519 S. Husband St., Stillwater
Mountain Fork Brewery – Broken Bow
The water used to make these beers comes from the crystal-clear Mountain Fork River and is the only brewery in southeastern Oklahoma. It’s a beautiful place tucked in the hills of Broken Bow.
Taproom: 89 North Lukfata Trail Rd, Broken Bow
Nothing’s Left Brewing Co. – Tulsa
So many breweries have popped up over the last 20 years, many names were taken, so Travis Richards created Nothing’s Left Brewing Co. “Strawberry Blonde” is a wheat beer with loads of strawberry puree added during fermentation.
Taproom: 1502 Sixth St., Tulsa
Prairie Artisan Ales – Krebs
Founded by Chase Healey in 2012 and acquired by Krebs Brewing Company in 2016, Krebs Brewing Company is run by fourth generation owner Zach Prichard and is home to the state’s oldest brand of beer, Choc.
Prairie was propelled to stardom by a 100-point score from Beer Advocate for “Bomb!” an imperial stout aged on coffee, vanilla, chocolate and chilis. Prairie also received the prestigious Top 100 Brewers in the World by RateBeer four years running. Prairie’s special releases are met with incredible market support and sell out almost immediately.
Prairie Brewpub: 223 N Main Street, Tulsa
Prairie 345: 345 East Choctaw, McAlester
OKC Taproom: 3 NE 8th Street, Oklahoma City
Roughtail Brewing Co. – Midwest City
Co-founders Blaine Stansel and Tony Tielli met through a homebrew club in 2010 and just two years later established Roughtail Brewing Co.
“Everything Rhymes with Orange IPA” is an Oklahoma favorite with its hazy, juicy and citrusy hops. This beer is both full and soft bodied and finishes clean and dry. Their approach to a seasonal beer is the new Acrylic Series ranging from lagers to double IPA’s.
Taproom: 1279 N. Air Depot Blvd, Midwest City, Oklahoma
Stonecloud – Oklahoma City
Joel Irby, founder and brewmaster, brews a classic style line-up along with innovative beer. His pedigree from Avery Brewing and Boulder Beer Company helped to hone his skills to become one of the best new brewers in Oklahoma.
“Neon Sunshine” is a Belgian wit beer is brewed with coriander and orange peel but is unique due to dry hopping with tangerine peel. So hard to have just one. “Astrodog IPA” is another one of Stonecloud’s most popular beers promoting a match made in heaven with juicy tropical fruit and resinous pine.
Someday, if the ever-rotating beer scene shows signs of slowing, let us hope that it is many years in the future. There is no shortage of hard-working Oklahoma brewers to make this a reality. It just takes a dream and a brand the people can get behind. It is exciting to see where this industry goes. Make sure to keep supporting your local breweries and let’s raise a toast to our great Oklahoma Brewers!
Oklahoma craft beer road trip timeline:
Prairie Artisan Ales – Krebs – 2012
Roughtail Brewing Co. – Midwest City – 2012
Dead Armadillo – Tulsa – 2013
Elk Valley Brewing Co. – Oklahoma City – 2014
Iron Monk Brewery – Stillwater – 2015
Mountain Fork Brewery – Broken Bow – 2015
Nothing’s Left Brewing Co. – Tulsa – 2015
Stonecloud Brewing Co. – Oklahoma City – 2017
