Walking through Tulsa’s lively neighborhoods today, it’s hard to imagine that as recently as the 20-teens, lots of those lively corners were occupied by old abandoned buildings. But one person’s forsaken warehouse is another’s blank canvas on which to create a brewery. In 2016, Oklahoma passed a law that allowed breweries in the state to sell their beer on-premise and open taprooms. And ever since then, Tulsa’s beer scene has bubbled over, as small-business owners created inviting spaces—and imaginative beer—so people can gather and enjoy a few rounds. Tulsa pride never tasted so good.
American Solera: A little weird, a lot of wonderful
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With its white furniture, high ceilings, blonde wood fixtures and wicker hanging lamps, the American Solera taproom gives off Scandinavian design-store vibes. Until, that is, you notice the wood-handle beer taps subtly protruding from a tiled wall and the oak barrels that serve as barstools. This minimalism puts the focus squarely on the beer. But even if you were in a cluttered space, the brews here would be attention-grabbing. Since it opened in 2016, American Solera has made a name for itself by turning out a constantly changing roster of interesting sour beers and playing around with hops to explore the nuances of IPAs. And their regulars look forward to Halloween when the brewery releases Full Size Candy Bar, a bourbon-barrel aged stout brewed with hundreds of pounds of toasted coconut.
The bright, spacious taproom and outdoor patio are family-friendly, and so is the burger-centric food menu and the vast selection of board games.. Pro-tip: Make it a double—American Solera shares a parking lot with Cabin Boys Brewery, so hop next door for another round.
1702 E 6th St, Tulsa, OK 74104
Neff Brewing: The standard-bearer for gluten-free beer
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When Tulsa native Jonathan Neff was studying for a grad degree in material science and engineering, he was diagnosed with Celiac disease. As a longtime homebrewer, he started tinkering with recipes for gluten-free beer. It was such a hit with friends that it prompted a career change. He opened Neff Brewing in 2018 and since then, it’s been known for brewing exclusively gluten-free beer. Instead of using barley, wheat and rye, everything is made with millet, buckwheat, rice and quinoa from artisan malt houses in Colorado and California. Same goes for the classic pub fare. Fans swear that the gluten-free flour makes the beer-battered fish-and-chips extra crunchy.
The Downtown brewery and taproom is located in a former grocery store warehouse. It features 27 taps that are constantly rotating, so there’s always a big variety to try. That’s a real treat for anyone on a gluten-free diet because usually there’s only one or two options at a bar or brewery. While seasonal styles come and go, the brewery always has its flagship crowd-pleasers available: Spacervesa, a refreshing Mexican-style lager served with a lime slice, and Apollo Blonde Ale.
321 S Frankfort Ave Ste 2, Tulsa, OK 74120
Heirloom Rustic Ales: Wild inspiration, whimsical beer
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This brewery sits in a former automotive garage on the original Route 66, and you could say it celebrates America by honoring good, old-fashioned creativity. Sure, you can find the brewer Jake Miller’s spin on familiar styles, like New England IPAs and stouts. But sometimes those brews incorporate really wild ingredients. Literally. Over the years, staff has made field trips to forage sumac to use in Wise Blood, a blonde ale, and dandelions, which adds floral bitterness to a French lager called Plague Doctor.
The tasting room is a low-key space that seems designed for loitering. And feel free to go around dinner time. Old Dog, a Thai food truck, is parked outside Thursday through Sunday. Barbeque is a second option on Saturdays when Killer Wail turns out its weekly offerings. The building has a split personality. From 9am to 3pm, it’s Coffee@Heirloom, a laidback meeting spot specializing in single-origin coffee and matcha. It’s closed Mondays.
2113 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74110
Cabin Boys Brewing: European beers, Tulsa style
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Before opening Cabin Boys Brewery in a 9,000-square-foot warehouse just off of Route 66, Tulsa native Austin McIlroy went to Germany to learn how to make beer. No surprise, then, that Cabin Boys specializes in old-world European ales. It made its mark on the beer scene out of the gate with Bearded Theologian, a malty, raisin-y Belgian-style quad, which clocks in at a muscular 8.5%. It was one of the beers he made when the business opened in 2017, and it continues to be a crowd-pleaser, along with their Cast-A-Line Kolch and Trail Magic, a pillowy juicy IPA. Those three make up the core of Cabin Boys’ always-changing draft selection at their taproom as well as their brewpub in the Arts District.
Cabin Boys is one several breweries that makes up “Brewers’ Block.” After a round, pop next door to American Solera, then make an afternoon of it: Marshall Brewing, Nothing’s Left Brewing and Firefly Brew, a kombucha-maker, are all just a few minutes’ walk from one another. But the business is deeply rooted in the Tulsa community at large, too. They regularly collaborate with restaurants in the city. Look for their Irish Red at Kilkenny’s Irish pub, a Tulsa institution.
1717 E 7th St, Tulsa, OK 74104
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