Local breweries celebrated their first day to sell strong beer directly to consumers on Friday.
Brewers say they’ve already seen already seen a difference at their storefronts and are calling it a game changer.
“There’s some breweries in this state who've built their entire business model on being able to be that neighborhood brewery and having you come in and buy your stuff there and go right home,” said Brewer Tony Peck. “It’s amazing for us to be able to do that.”
The folks at Dead Armadillo say business started booming just a few hours after the law came into effect. High-point beer reportedly flew off the shelves and not just by patrons who come and sit down inside.
Brewers are now selling their own beer in cans, bottles, growlers and Tulsans can now take them home. The change came after Governor Mary Fallin signed a bill into law back in June allowing breweries to do so.
But the ABLE Commission tried to contest the law last week, saying it didn't allow patrons to drink the beer on site. The inquiry several local businesses nervous, but Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced Tuesday that the original bill did allow for consumption.
Peck believes the benefits of the law go beyond the brewery and high-point beer.
“This gives people a reason to come here, see Tulsa, try our stuff and then hit all of the local businesses.”
“These guys started from scratch, they started with their skills in their garage,” said Dead Armadillo patron Jason Seneker. “That’s really important to the economy of Tulsa.”
