This Saturday, August 5th at the Tower Theater on 23rd, the Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma Inc. (CBAO) will be hosting the 2nd Annual Oklahoma Craft Beer Summit. You can find our coverage of last year’s summit here.
While last year’s event was a small come-one-come-all event at Oak & Ore in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District, the 2017 summit promises to be much more. Sporting multiple educational panels moderated by CBAO members and the state’s best beer journalists (no, not us, The Thirsty Beagle of course!) the day should be filled with great discussions and content. In addition, offerings from 29 breweries, breweries-in-planning, and home-brewers will be available. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at oklahomacraftbeersummit.com and at Urbun next door to the Tower Theater.
Below is the latest press release regarding the event. We’ll be covering it as the summit happens on our Instagram (@barrelsandmash) and we will post a summary of the happenings afterwards here on the site.
See you Saturday!
Oklahoma Craft Beer Summit looks to the future
Industry event focuses on new growth and national trends
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 27, 2017) – Beer lovers, brewers, and industry experts will gather at Tower Theatre on Saturday, August 5, for the 2017 Oklahoma Craft Beer Summit. The event is the only conference of its kind in the state, and takes place in a period of great change for local breweries. Speakers and panelists will address issues of quality assurance, business integrity, and brewing techniques. Keynote speaker Damon Scott of the national Brewers Association will deliver an in-depth look at craft brewing trends across the U.S.
In addition to the educational panels, attendees will enjoy six different tasting sessions featuring 14 Oklahoma breweries, as well as an open-floor beer festival showcasing another 15 current breweries, breweries-in-planning, and local homebrewers.
Tickets for the 2017 event are on sale now at www.oklahomacraftbeersummit.com, and can also be purchased in-person at Urbun restaurant at 431 NW 23rd Street, next to Tower Theatre. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to support the continuing legal and educational work of the Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma breweries have seen tremendous growth in the last year, largely thanks to the passage of 2016 Senate Bill 424, enabling breweries to sell full-strength beer directly from their own taprooms, and the upcoming implementation of SB 383 in 2018, allowing sales of high-point beer in grocery stores, cold storage in liquor stores, and changes in distribution models. These bills were decisive factors in the recent opening of new OKC breweries Twisted Spike and Stonecloud, as well as upcoming facilities for Elk Valley, Angry Scot, a new Prairie Artisan Ales location, and multiple breweries in Tulsa, Norman, Ponca City, and other locations across the state.
According to a 2014 study by the national Brewers Association, the top 10 breweries in Oklahoma had a combined economic impact of $415.7 million. Additional analysis in 2016 by UCO Economics professor Travis Roach conservatively predicted that increased brewery growth and production trends would lead to an overall statewide impact of more than $465 million annually, and a potential for nearly $10 million in annual tax revenue for the state.
With the passage of SB 424 and 383, those predictions are now expected to be surpassed. Many of the 10 breweries involved in the 2014 study have since increased their production, expanded distribution into nearby states, and opened additional brewpubs and taprooms. There are now 20 licensed breweries commercially producing in Oklahoma, with at least 10 more planning to open brewing facilities or taprooms within the next year.
For up-to-date information on the event, follow Oak & Ore and the Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma on social media.