Drink Local
This is a warning. Oregon and Colorado beware; Oklahoma has fired a shot across the bow of your dominance as the leading states populated with craft breweries. OK, it may have been more like a cap gun firing off, but by god at least it was something. In 2009, Oklahoma City welcomed its newest (only?) craft brewery as COOP Ale Works open its doors for business.
What is the significance of this? Well, for a beer lover like me, it signals a new movement in Oklahoma towards good brew. It means there are people out in this red dirt frontier wanting and making beer with flavor and character. It means someone has to be first. I hope it will also bring more people to beer and maybe a few more breweries in the future.
How did this happen, you say? Let’s let the COOP Team tell you in their own words. This comes off their web site:
COOP Ale Works began with a humble home brewer and a simple dream. The idea spread as friends tasted the unique beers, and the popularity of those early batches quickly transformed into a dedicated team of three partners that began working to make the dream of a local brewery a reality. Mark Seibold, JD Merryweather and Daniel Mercer spent the next two years traveling throughout the United States, Europe and Central America visiting breweries and sampling local flavors. The insight gained from entrepreneurs, brewers, biologists, operations personnel and consumers provided an invaluable basis for a serious endeavor into quality commercial brewing. By integrating this knowledge with the local, regional and national brewing trends, as well as local feedback, the trio planned the birth and growth of the yet unnamed COOP. Another valuable team member was added when JD Merryweather met Chase Healey through a mutual friend. Chase began brewing with the COOP team and quickly took the brewing reigns from Mark Seibold. After nearly 3 years of research, comprising thousands of man hours and dozens of test batches, COOP fashioned its identity as a steadfast professional team that holds closely a passion for bringing local beer to taps and homes in Oklahoma City and beyond.
COOP’s currently brews four different styles of beer:
Horny Toad Cerveza – 5.3% ABV
An Oklahoma take on a pilsner style lager. Light hints of malt and floral aromas. This is a crisp and clean beer.
Zeppelin German Wheat – 5.6% ABV
This is a unique twist on a German Hefe. This wheat beer has a hint of Rye in it to add a little spice. Look for the banana notes in this one. A good summer beer.
Native Amber – 6.3% ABV
For me, this comes off as a good example of an American Pale Ale. Hints of caramel, bread and a nice hops backdrop can be found. A very good beer to pair with food.
DNR – 10% ABV
A great spin on a Belgian Ale. This is a bold brew with notes of clove, burnt vanilla and cherry/raisins. A noticeable hop presence and warm alcohol “burn” are present. This is a smooth beer.
COOP Ale Works is making the rounds and doing a nice grassroots effort of getting their beers in the market. They try to use as much local merchandise as they can, and they are claiming a spot in the local community by being just that, local. You can find their beers in a variety of places throughout the metro. They are earning a good following by doing things right: making good beer. Treat yourself, do a little work and go find this beer and then try it. It’s always great to drink local. I think you’ll be happy you did.
Cheers!
Comments