OK CIDER COMPANY
More than just OK Cider It's great BY LACONIA BUTLER
It's probably safe to say that everyone has a favorite brewery that they can go to and order draft after draft or a favorite beer that they can drink time and time again. But when’s the last time you had a good hard cider and I mean a good cider? If you can’t remember or it’s been a while, or if you never have, now is the perfect time. Forget the idea that cider is a “fall” beverage or that it’s basically just an adult version of apple juice. Hard cider is an anytime beverage, especially when you get one from OK Cider Company. OK Cider Co. was started quite spontaneously by two friends right here in the heart of OKC. Back in 2010, Tim King met Luke Hadsall at UCO. Just two friends who worked in theatre and loved beer. Unfortunately for Tim, in 2012 he found out he was gluten intolerant and could no longer enjoy his much-beloved beer. Then one night, after a few good drinks, the two decided they wanted to go into business together. Luke mentioned a brewery. Tim suggested a cidery. And just like that, they decided to combine the two and make a cidery inspired by beer. But what is beer-inspired cider you may be asking yourself? Well, let me tell ya’. While Tim and Luke are close friends their taste styles couldn’t be any more different. In fact, Tim is known for liking things that are fruity and floral, while Luke is known for favoring hoppy and beery. Luke was already familiar with the brewing process as he worked for a local brewery here in OKC. So along with his knowledge of how to brew beer and Tim's knowledge of cider the two came together to make the perfect marriage of beer and cider. The first beer that the pair brewed was an IPA cider, a beerinspired cider that used beer yeast instead of the traditional cider yeast- a complete experiment that failed. However, with time and practice, the two made it work. Around 2016 they started attending homebrewers clubs and entering local festivals and competitions. In 2017 they attended the Craft Beer Festival at the convention center. They brought 6 ciders and 1 beer. On the first day, they were so successful that they went home and came up with a name, and OK Cider Company was officially born. The men knew they had a challenge ahead of them, being the only cidery in the state where craft beer was finally allowed to thrive. They had to convince everyone that cider is just as good, if not better than most beers. That’s where the Pale Cider and the Pale Ale came into play. They would bring each, along with other ciders to festivals to allow everyone to try cider even if they favored beer. 38
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As most have pre-conceived notions that ciders are less-than beer, they would offer a beer lover their Pale Ale than follow it with their Pale Cider, their beer-inspired cider. 9 out of 10 times the drinker would choose the cider over the ale. After about 3 years of doing tastings and perfecting their flavors, it was time to officially open their own taproom. They knew they wanted an older rustic building with character. After looking for the perfect spot they finally settled on a building next to the old Paramount building on Film Row. Just like how they started out, just the two of them continued the process and rehabbed and designed the building by themselves. Everything from the old truck used as a menu and tap board to the picture frames on the walls, all are recycled and local materials. The wood for the handmade chairs is from an old ballet floor and the barrels that make up the tables are from a local brewery. Every little detail staying true to themselves and their personality. Finally, on July 10, 2020, OK Cider Co. opened its doors to its thirsty fans. Regardless of what type of drink your taste buds prefer, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll find a cider suitable for you. From all the years of experimentation, OK Cider has truly honed in on
