The Brew Magazine March 2022

Clauren Ridge Winery

BOTTLES, CANS, OR SLUSHEES— YOU BE THE JUDGE

BY ROBIN AYTES WALKER

You want to listen when Thomas Ingmire speaks For a few reasons. His soft spoken manner, in its unassuming way, commands attention And then he begins to share his story and his passion, you quickly realize that you really do want to hear what he has to say Clauren Ridge Vineyard and Winery, located in northwest Edmond, offers everything that one might expect when visiting a winery a comfortable, inviting tasting room, a lovely patio where one can relax and enjoy a glass, and perhaps a small gourmet snack while gazing out over the vineyard, and a friendly, accommodating staff who truly enjoy and take pride in what they do. And while this creates a pleasant wine experience, there’s so much more to learn about Clauren Ridge.

Thomas, who runs the operation with his wife Kim, is completely hands on in every aspect of the wine making process. Kim runs the administrative, retail, and guest centered parts of the business.

SITTING ON A COUNTRY ROAD, THE TASTING ROOM THE LOCALLY COMMISSIONED MURALS ON THE WALLS THE NEWLY ADDED PRODUCTION BARN

From planting, pruning, picking, and packing, Thomas, along with long time employee Rich, make it all sound fairly easy, but the more he reveals about winemaking, the more you realize that it’s basically a giant agricultural experiment that differs from one year to the next depending on the weather and other aspects of nature that ultimately determine the quality of a harvest and the outcome of the product. At the inception in 2012, they originally intended as a grower/supplier, Thomas and Kim traveled to California, France, and Italy, and saw firsthand how tasting rooms are set up. They decided that Oklahoma needed a better presentation of the wines, so started the tasting room.

Thomas took the staff of The Brew on an extensive tour of the property, showing us the processing room where they had just finished bottling a run Joad’s Reply Even though they were finishing up the process, there was still discussion about two different types of labels to choose from It’s all part of a day’s work when you’re one of only 3 or so people who make those decisions, day in and day out But it’s this kind of personal touch that creates the laid back environment Clauren Ridge has to offer.

And if that’s not enough, they also do events, both private and public. From weddings to themed wine pairing dinners, they can accommodate up to 150 people in the barrel room, or, if you’re really feeling adventurous, they can set up right in the vineyard.

I don’t consider myself to be a wine snob, but I’ve enjoyed some good wines in my day, and consider myself to be somewhat of a wine purist (except for mimosas, because who shouldn’t love champagne and orange juice on a Sunday afternoon?) So the idea of a frozen wine drink would normally have me automatically adopting an attitude of, “uh, no thanks. I’ll pass on that.” But then the man set a slushee down in front of me. I couldn’t be rude, right? So I decided to do the right thing and, well, just give it a try. And I will admit, my attitude changed immediately. The slushees, which come in multiple flavors, would absolutely be the best thing I could think of enjoying, on that patio, on a warm summer day.

ROCKIN' GRILL

PUT THE FORK DOWN: BURGER EDITION

BY ERIC SPRUILL

Established in 2016 out of a food truck in Edmond, Josh and Michelle Spurlock, dreamed big With a menu loaded with tried and true customer favorites, like truffle fries, slap yo mama fries, and burgers that put cookie cutter, chain restaurants to shame, the Spurlock’s made their move to a brick and mortar location, inside the Edmond Railyard, which is a success story in its own right They opened up shop in March of 2020 Doomsday Right at the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic “This was March 2020 I honestly don’t know how we survived it We saw chain restaurants that had been in business here for several years, shutting down all around us,” Michelle said “We went back to our roots We kept the food truck going, we would set up in neighborhoods and serve food all over the metro area ”

The grill banded together with the other six restaurants in the Edmond Railyard.

“Going into 2020 we had our entire calendar set. You could go through the calendar, and we had events scheduled throughout the year and suddenly everything was shut down. Another strike against us, was very few people knew about the Edmond Railyard, it was still very new. But we all went to work together and created our own events. Everyone at the Edmond Railyard is like a big family. We help each other out, we root for every single restaurant. You have seven great places to eat all in one location,” she said. Still, the Spurlock’s were able to persevere through the initial shock of COVID 19, but they are still seeing the effects of the pandemic. “There was a time where we were paying $6 $7 per pound of hamburger meat. We were already charging around $8 a burger, trying to figure out how to make it work. Luckily, costs are starting to level out, but there are certain items we still cannot get,” Michelle said.

BlueJ’s Rockin’ Grill gets to the heart of our motto: “Local goodness. Brew. Dine. Local.”

“For a lot of people, food trucks were one of the only things that was able to give people a sense of normalcy, and a real dining experience, while they were locked up in their homes.”

While everyone was fighting their personal battles of the pandemic, Josh and Michelle decided to get involved in the great Chicken Sandwich War that began in 2019, where they created The Godfeather “Everyone was coming up with their own chicken sandwiches and competing against each other We actually had several prominent bloggers in Oklahoma tell us that our chicken sandwich was the best,” Michelle said

The Spurlock’s try to make "The Godfeather" available as often as possible, but you might call or check their social media posts to see if it is on the menu BlueJ’s Rockin’ Grill gets new ideas from other food trucks and locally owned restaurants

“We have a very select group of food trucks we will visit whenever we have time for it, and it allows us to expand our own menu

One thing that kind of stinks about making food for other people all day long, is it turns you into a critic It’s hard to just go enjoy a meal somewhere without saying to yourself, “I could have made this better, or I would have added this to it.” We have a select group of places we go, where we don’t have to worry about being like that. But Josh is always trying to add new menu items,” she said.

Another thing they have learned is just because an item is a top seller at the restaurant, doesn’t mean it’s going to sell on the road. “Sometimes everyone is craving the same style of burger. We have kind of broken our menu down to different areas of the metro. What sells over here, won’t sell over there,” she said. “People are always telling us futuristic things. We have people telling us we need to expand and open sites in other areas of the metro. That’s what we have been planning all along. We are looking to expand; it has just taken us a little longer than we were hoping because of the pandemic. We have a good thing going here and people are loving the food.”

Spurlock went on to say that the City of Edmond has been great to work with during the pandemic.

“The Edmond Chamber of Commerce and all the other groups we are involved with have been pushing the message to shop locally and it’s working. That goes all the way from your locally owned hardware store to your salons and restaurants. When you shop locally, you’re putting money back into your community. It’s like they always say, ‘Nothing worth having comes easy.’ This hasn’t been easy, but we love what we are doing here.”

ROUGHTAIL BREWING

Hank'sHangout BYHEIDEBRANDES

Welcome to Hank’s Hangout Hank the dog’s favorite places to go with his human. Hank is The Brew’s 2 year old Anatolian Shepherd Mix adopted from Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. At 65 pounds, Hank is curious, playful, and loves attention. He also loves to socialize when his human is out with friends or enjoying a meal and a drink, so we’ve enlisted Hank to help us find the coolest dog friendly hangout spots in Oklahoma City

ROUGHTAIL BREWING COMPANY

On Valentine’s Day weekend, Roughtail Brewing Company at 320 W Memorial Road, was full of bull Bulldogs, that is! On the expansive patio at Roughtail’s brick and mortar taproom, Tornado Alley Bulldog Rescue brought their babies out for a little social time during an adoption event at the Oklahoma City brewery For Roughtail owners founders Blaine Stansel & Tony Tielli, the animal adoption event is a core event at their brewery “We've had them out a few times and of course, everyone brings out their Bulldogs We have great little space up front where they put the dogs, so everyone that walks in sees the dog,” said Blaine “They pick up the dogs and take them to their table and all that kind of stuff I think they adopt quite a few, so it’s really great ”

Roughtail Brewing Company is just one of many Oklahoma City hangouts that are dog friendly, even going so far as offering up dog treats, branded dog items and dog games. The Roughtail crew started their dream of opening a brewery nine years ago in Oklahoma City before moving to their first real home in Midwest City.

“We sold our first beer on April 1, 2013, and that was before we could even sell direct. We are coming up on our nine year anniversary,” said Blaine. “We moved to this building on Memorial two years ago, and obviously, it’s a lot bigger.”

While Roughtail is known mostly for its selections of IPA style brews, the taproom has 24 beers on draft, so there’s a beer to appeal to everyone.

“Although people get excited about IPAs, our biggest sellers are lighter beers like our blonde ale and lagers. We also have a great barrel aged stout, so we’re all over the map with different beers,” Blaine said.

Can’t decide between the Everything Rhymes With Orange hazy IPA, the Chacmool Stout or the Roam and Ramble Blonde Ale? Don’t worry you can try them all with the four ounce flights, which are popular for those wanting to taste all the beers The brewery also sells 12 ounce pours and 8 ounce pours as well

The brewery’s taproom is gigantic with plenty of room for group hangouts at the numerous long wooden tables and ample seating. Want to host a game night over a beer?

Roughtail has you covered there too with a wide selection of board games to choose from.

“The boardgame thing started over Midwest City. I thought it'd be fun to bring in Cards Against Humanity and games like that. People started playing them and we got more and more board games,” said Blaine. “We have a bunch of outdoor games too like Giant Connect Four and Deadly Giant Jenga.” While dogs are certainly welcome inside the taproom, the patio is where the real magic happens. With 16 tables with four chairs per table, there’s plenty of room to play around, cuddle by the fire pit and enjoy live music. The Roughtail boys plan to add a lounge area come spring.

We do have food trucks, but you can also bring in your own food too,” said Blaine. “We also do live music.”

And if you go, don’t forget to pick up a little souvenir for your dog to enjoy!

“One of the first things we bought as far as merchandise were dog toys, squeaky toys, dog bandanas, dog bowls, dog leashes, dog collars all with our beer branding on it,” said Blaine.

Hank’s Wag: Five-star wag from Hank, thanks to the friendly space for dogs, the treats for dogs, and the dedication to pet adoption events.

by Kari Huskey

When we decided to do a Day Trip feature every month, it just seemed right that Stillwater would be our first adventure and, in an effort, to bring you a must visit on your day trip restaurant, a brewery and a cocktail, we gladly set out on it.

Let’s just say that it has been a few years since my stint in Stillwater. However, the good ole college years are never forgotten for long once I pull into the city limits. My twenty two year old self starts to rally and before I know it… here we go lol. It is like nothing has changed and yet everything has.

Of course, everyone has heard of the world famous Eskimo Joe’s, so it had to be first on our list. This is the place that it is deemed the best place to go and hang out after an OSU game by Kansas University Basketball, Bill Self. It is also the place that President George H. W. Bush placed on the map during his 1990 Commencement speech at Oklahoma State University when he mentioned that Barbara told him to go over to Eskimo Joe’s for a beer and some cheese fries. And just like that, history was made.

Eskimo Joe’s was brought to life in July 1975 by CEO Stan Clark, just 2 weeks after his college graduation, in a 2 story house on Elm Street just one block away from OSU. Well known for their iconic Joe and Buffy logo, “Joe’s”, as the college kids call it, has become a smile seen around the world. Let’s face it if you don’t have an Eskimo Joe’s t shirt you are not one of the cool kids! Make sure and grab one while you are there! So how did Joe and Buffy happen? Well, it is a marketer’s dream and goes down in the record books as the easiest and best price logo creation since the inception of logos. First year art student Bill Thompson was given the task and returned with his first rendition of a boy with a huge smile and his dog and the logo that turned the juke joint into a multimillion dollar corporation…the price you ask? A whopping $35

Eskimo Joe’s positioned itself as Stillwaters Jumping Little Juke Joint with the coldest beer in town and then opened their kitchen in the spring of 1984 They immediately became the place to eat I mean a college kid needs more substance than beer alone! Stan jokingly laughs and says, “imagine my surprise when I realized that more people eat than drink every day!”

All of Eskimo Joe's food is sourced locally if possible and, on the menu, you will find amazing burgers such as the Little Joe which is an old fashioned, quarter pound grilled onion burger. They use fresh ground beef with onions pressed in and grilled to order on their flat top. Served on a toasted bun with mustard and pickles. Doesn’t sound so little to me! They also have their famous Joe’s Juicy Foul Thing. This sandwich is deliciously marinated, charbroiled chicken breast topped with a grilled pineapple ring on a toasted sweet sourdough bun. They also have two other renditions, The Elm St. Foul Thinks with cheddar cheese and sweet peppered bacon and the West St. Foul Thing topped with sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese. Simply Delicious! And don’t forget about the Presidential stamp of approval Cheese Fries! For a treat I haven't found anywhere else and not on the menu, is pickles and ranch. Do yourself a favor and ask for some when you first sit down, you won’t be disappointed.

For those of legal age, you can try their over the top signature drink, the Skylab Fallout. This New Orleans inspired drink has been scaled down over time since the one down there is almost lethal from 151 rum to just rum and taking the clear from ever clear to just vodka. This drink is a Stillwater legend, and this author has had her fair share of them over the years. Just know this One is fun, two means get an uber to drive you home or to a hotel

A trip to Eskimo Joe’s also means bringing your signature “Joe’s Cup” home with you They have been deemed “Oklahoma China” and have been notoriously used in crafts, patio lights and some agricultural projects we will not go into right now If you think you know you probably do

One very cool thing about Eskimo Joe’s is that they leverage their brand to help others Over the years they have released themed t shirts for The Girls Scouts, Humane Society, Special Olympics and many more They also coordinate and hold the annual Juke Joint Jog 5k benefiting the United Way of Payne County

Since 1975, Eskimo Joes has added an atrium over where the old beer garden used to be and made it a restaurant, giving it a family friendly feel during the day and a college party atmosphere at night This includes live local music and when the weather is right, they will even open the atrium allowing the moonlight and starry skies to creep in

Iron Monk Brewery

For all you craft beer enthusiasts, put Iron Monk Brewery on your must visit while in town. It all started in 2014 when two friends, Jerod Millirons and Dave Monks, combined their love for beer, more precisely making beer, and their business savvy to bring the first craft brewery to Stillwater. Then in late 2015 they opened the state's first premier tap room!

To say that they have perfected the art of brewing craft beer is an understatement and we were lucky enough to be able to spend the day learning how it is done with their Head Brewer, Mr Sam Mosle If you ever have the chance to meet and talk with Sam, prepare to have your mind blown The amount of knowledge and experience he brings to the table is astronomical and the care he brings to his craft is exceptional One thing we learned is that brewing craft beer is an all day affair It is a science, and it takes experimentation and time to create the perfect beer You can go to www brewokc com and to see video footage of Sam going over the craft beer brewing process

And more than one perfect beer they have made Iron Monk has a beer for everyone! The first being their most popular beer, Stilly Wheat You will get a “crisp, refreshing, orange peel and coriander infused wheat ale that is bursting with lemonycitrus aromas and flavors ” A great pairing with pizza and cheeseburgers

Next on the list is Bright D Weizensour…now that’s a mouthful! It is a tasty sour wheat beer brewed with boysenberries and black currants. “It’s tart, refreshing and highly drinkable.” It goes great with sweet and salty snacks.

IPA fan? Fear not…You will find the pleasantly surprising The 9 IPA is not a bitter beer but has a crisp and clean taste. This libation goes well with your toes in the sand.

Once you walk into the tap room you will immediately feel welcomed and at home. There is a large window that will allow you to watch the happenings in the brewery, you know where all the magic happens. There are numerous board games on a shelf in the corner for you to play if you find yourself with a group of friends and in the game playing mood.

Iron Monk loves supporting local musicians and several nights a week you will find live music giving their venue that entertainment value we all love. From solo acoustic artists to full bands, you will be sure to find your type of toe tapping music. Extra points if you want to get up and dance!

The good news is that once you find your favorite craft beer, you don’t have to make the trip back to Stillwater for it. You can purchase it to go, and Iron Monk also cans their beers for distribution so you can find them at various convenience and liquor stores across the state.

Zannotti’s Wine Bar

Looking for an upscale place to hang out or for date night? Zannotti’s is easily Stillwaters best kept secret. With a delicious owner inspired menu that delivers on the promise of real authentic Tuscan delicacies, you won’t find food like this in the region.

According to the staff, The Brie En Croute Brie Wheel is the way to go and everyone’s favorite. It is delicately wrapped in a flaky pastry and baked golden brown with toasted almonds, a fig jam served with French baguette, and fresh berries. Is it an appetizer or is it a dessert? We will let you decide.

They also serve a Caprese Flatbread Pizza with basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, Roma tomatoes and drizzled with a balsamic port wine reduction. This is not your typical pizza, and you will never look at a delivery pizza the same way again.

Another Specialty is their Duck Confit Nachos. This platter of pure goodness is also chock full of black bean & roasted corn salsa, Monterey jack cheese, cilantro, sweet pepper marmalade, sour cream, and tortilla chips. This dish is meant to be shared and the perfect appetizer for you and your family or friends.

Since amazing food is normally served with amazing drinks it would be a huge disservice to leave their specialty cocktails out of this story. We walked away as fans of two special ones. The Smoked Old Fashioned toast a cedar plank and put it on top to create the smokey effect, muddle a little bit of orange and sugar cube with bitters. And a House Special Peppered Bacon Bloody Mary made with Tito’s vodka, their own special house seasoning, and a skewer of all the goodies.

Is wine more your thing? Zannotti’s has an impressive wine selection as well with 18 by the glass options and 130 by the bottle options They also have a selective and exclusive Captains List that allows you to pick from 12 15 wines for your special occasion You can find your favorite wine here from a Cabernet Sauvignon to a Moscato and everything in between

When you visit Zannotti's, make sure and go on a night with live music It just enriches the atmosphere and gives the restaurant an upscale and laid back feel which is the ultimate finisher to such a delightful experience

Make sure and check out www brewokc com for more information, pictures, and videos about this fun and exciting day trip option

Angry Scotsman Brewing

A beer is only as good as it's name

by James Frazier

A few years ago a Scotsman named Ross Harper made his way to Miami Florida for Grad school. As one does in College, sometimes you get a little drunk from time to time. One morning after such a night, Ross mentioned to his roommates that he had gotten a little pissed last night. For the uninitiated, in Scottish vernacular pissed means drunk. However, his roommates didn’t know this, so they just assumed he was an angry drunk, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Nonetheless, a nickname was born that led to a brand and the legend of the Angry Scotsman was created.

If a Scotsman says they are pissed, it means they are drunk, not angry.

To be clear there is nothing angry about Angry Scotsman Brewing unless you can’t handle strong beers. A trip to Angry Scotsman Brewing is a treat, with one of the best patios in OKC and a taproom with a Scottish Pub feel. It draws you in, gets you comfortable, and begs ya for just one more beer. This was the dream of Ross when he moved to Oklahoma and realized that there was a lack of two necessities. Good beer and pub culture. “Pubs back home, back in Scotland is all about that community space a little more

comradery a little more socializing,” said Harper, “It was very important to me that when we designed this space and built this space out that we wanted it to feel comfortable so you could feel like a regular you could always be welcome whether it was your first visit ever or your first this week.”

Angry Scotsman makes the special releases and interesting ingredient beers, but really has a love for the old traditional styles that beer culture was built around. You will find European lagers and ales, old school west coast IPAs, Belgian specialties, and other underrepresented styles. Angry Scotsman got its start as a homebrewer and doing collaborations with some of the biggest names in the Oklahoma beer scene like Pat Lively, now with his own brand, but then with Coop Ale Works. Ross also collaborated with Roughtail Brewing. In 2016 at the Oklahoma Craft Beer Festival, Angry Scotsman made its debut with a big banner saying coming in 2017. They did just that and launched into the Brewers Union with a couple of other legendary brewery brands, Elk Valley and Vanessa House. Finally, a year later opened their own taproom 704 W. Reno Ave. in OKC.

Angry Scotsman’s flagship Ale is a Scottish Ale named Rusty Kiltpin. This beer is a light beer for dark beer drinkers and a dark beer for light beer drinkers. It’s malty and rich without being too heavy sitting at 5.2%. This beer is packed with biscuity caramel and complex vanilla malt notes but finishes super clean. I could drink this beer any time of the year.

For those IPA fans out there, they have taken it old school with a West Coast style IPA called the Scotsman IPA. This IPA features Simcoe, Chinook, and Amarillo hops with pale and Vienna malts. You get aromas of pine and citrus that create a fantastic bitterness and clean finish. If you are feeling adventurous, you can always go for the Impulse IPA, this one is a Rotating series that changes from batch to batch and allows Angry Scotsman to play a little with different ingredients in order to create the perfect IPA.

If these aren’t calling your name, you will probably dig one of their other amazing beers. They really do have something for everyone and taking a tour de beer is always a great idea. Speaking of tours, have a flight or two and ask one of their awesome pub tenders to make some recommendations for you based on your preferences. As the weather warms, it’s a great opportunity to bring the pups and drink some amazing beer on this awesome patio.

What are Saturdays for if not for drinking?

In the beer world, few styles can match the history of the Belgian style This happens to be one of my absolute favorite styles of beer and Angry Scotsman has nailed it with their Belgian Tripel rightfully named Fortitude. This beer is 9.8% so it’s not for the faint of heart or light beer fans. Fortitude is bold and combines the traditional fruity, yeast derived esters with it’s distinctive warming alcohol presence. Beware, however, this beer is incredibly drinkable. If you aren’t careful, you will find yourself on a flight to Belgium because someone suggested you should learn to brew from Monks, and you thought it would be a good idea, because… beer.

Adam Aguliar introduces himself as an Oklahoma Musician, but I beg to differ. He is more than that. His existence in the Oklahoma music scene is transformative and prominent, elevating the stature of music in our city to heights that are likely hard to obtain by the average musician.

Adams' musical journey started at the tender age of seventeen when his brother Albert wanted a guitar so badly that he made one out of pieces of plywood and rubber bands. Seeing that his son was serious about this guitar thing, their father bought them each a guitar. Adam admits that he wasn’t really all that into it at first but once he saw how much Albert loved it, he was inspired to join in on the fun and as they say … the rest is history.

If you have been lucky enough to catch one of Adam Aguilar’s shows, you have witnessed the vast emotion and vocal range with which he is blessed. You simply get pulled into the song, losing yourself in the sentiment of it all. Making connections with his audience is Adam’s favorite part of playing live and his music is geared toward that and how he is as a person. Being real is important to him…you won’t see a made up stage persona here. What you see is what you get, a man who loves his craft and wears his heart on his sleeve.

Growing up, Adam remembers his dad’s love for Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and the Eagles and that he always had their music playing around the house. Once he was old enough to develop his own taste in music, he absorbed all the great 90’s R & B Bands; Boys II Men, Jodeci and Shai just to name a few. He admits that his vocal and singing influences came from there. Add that to learning his guitar style from the immensely talented and iconic guitar legends; Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin and last but certainly not least, Ian Moore.

In November 2020, Adam released his first solo album which he self titled Adam Aguilar. Feeling as though this is the first time he is truly represented in his work and who he is now, that seems perfectly fitting. I would agree. Every song on this record is soulfully written and somehow pulls you in as though you have always belonged there. Music from this record has received some serious radio play across the country and he even made the top song lists in around thirty six cities. Make sure and pick up a copy for yourself. It is available on all digital streaming platforms as well as vinyl! You can also listen to soundbites at www.adamaguilar.com and on his social media.

A D A M A G U I L A R

OKC’S SINGER AND SONGWRITER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Something that many of his fans may not know about Adam Aguilar is that he is a true Renaissance Man. Not only does he write, produce, and play music, he also is a co owner of VZD’s Restaurant & Bar on Western Ave. He also has his realtor's license and works with his amazing and beautiful wife Jenni and their real estate business. Seriously, does this man ever sleep?

Setting the bar high is something that Adam Aguilar does almost seamlessly and definitely without any conscious attempt to do so. The next time you are itching for some great music, Adam Aguilar is likely playing somewhere near you. Some of his favorite places include The Sidecar’s summertime patio, Bandee’s Barbecue, and Bin 73. You can also catch him every Wednesday night around 9pm at VZD’s. I know this girl cannot wait to catch another show of his. I am already making plans for it and picking out my dancing shoes.

B Y K A R I H U S K E Y

MARCH IS MADNESS

by Xavier Jackson

Licensing Report

It’s time to pull out those jerseys, March Madness is just around the corner, and I have some tips on the best places in the metro and beyond to get your game on The choice of viewing venue can make or break even the best sporting events

These bars are all unique and cater to many different types of sports fans My aim is to give you insight as to what each have to offer so that you can make the best decision and be all set for gametime

TAX STATE&LOCAL SALES TAX

Winning the tip off is North Oklahoma City’s high end sports bar Industry Gastro Lounge Not merely a place to take in the game, Industry, as its name would suggest, is a space for mingling and networking

Wednesdays, per the bartender, are their big night for the oil industry Being here you get a sense that this is one of those bars where deals are made

The Stoli Red, White, & Blueberri cocktail at Industry is just what you need to put a patriotic spring in your step this March It is a little tart and candy sweet and just as fast paced as the games playing around the bar Fitting with its theme Industry is decorated with industrial trappings Large beams create a nice focal point and large black and white prints showcase major feats of urban construction

Located just North of Memorial, Industry is a great option if you are in the area or just want a different type of sports bar experience Feel like a baller while watching some ball

Lumpy’s Sports Grill is a sports bar with patrons of both the older and greener varieties. Especially social the crowd here is lively and energetic yet traditional. The pool tables are popular gathering places. If country music is your sports soundtrack, you’re in good hands.

In terms of drinks Lumpy’s doesn’t want anything to take away from the game or the great food. A can of Pabst and shot of vodka are just one of the drink specials on tap. I ordered the French Dip Sandwich and was not disappointed. The sandwich and Au Jus sauce went well with the accompanying french fries which I drizzled with their sweet honey mustard.

Right on North May Avenue, Lumpy’s is easy to get to. It is a great place to unwind with good food, good people, and a good game.

The crystal clear monitors at Chalk Sports capture all the action. Their plethora of screens mean that no matter if you are tucked in at a booth with your family or throwing back drinks at the bar you won’t miss a single shot.

The Chalk Sampler is the go to appetizer for many diners, it gives a taste of some of the restaurant’s best eats. Salads at Chalk are nothing to balk at either, and if you get a chance chow down on some of their Chicken Fried Chicken.

When it comes to drinks, Chalk bartenders don’t do anything half way. The Chalk Manhattan is the perfect addition to your game watching experience. It is a powerful cocktail that you can take your time with and grab another around half time. A curious addition to the drink list is the Banana Old Fashioned, it is another libation with its own solid fanbase.

The big bar on campus corner Norman’s Sideline Bar & Grill takes pride in its being the go to sports bars for locals and students. Sideline’s owner Travis Case highlights the fun rowdy spirit of the place. While a lot of students have made Sideline their home bar it also appeals to more established regulars.

Some of the most popular drinks at Sideline are their Gatorade jugs. Similar in concept to fishbowl mixed drinks, these deliciously different Gatorade flavors fit perfectly with the sports motif. A mixture of vodka, tequila, or rum served in a one gallon Gatorade jug. Like all post game refreshment, the jugs are meant to be shared by the team as such four IDs are required to order.

In college I spent many a night at Louie’s Grill & Bar in Edmond. Their menu is full of hits like their burgers and wraps which kept me well fed in between classes. Midtown Louie’s is always the spot to find people enjoying great drinks and food while taking in a game. Here I tried the brunch selections for the first time.

I love a good drink special and Louie’s brunch menu had several. The mimosa was quite refreshing, and the cherry at the bottom of the champagne flute provided the perfect sugary end.

As for food Sideline is well known for its burgers of note is the horns down burger (Longhorn fans beware). Topped with a savory egg layered with pulled pork. Not every burger is awesome enough to not only be good tasting but also one of the better parts of the Red River Rivalry.

With burger and beer specials on game days there is always something going on at Sideline. This bar doesn’t stop at evening fun they also boast in the words of Mr. Case “a really big brunch”. This includes their other social drink the mimosa towers.

Part of what makes sports great are the people with whom you enjoy them. From their food to their drinks these bars all have things that make them all stars.

WHEN FOOD IS LOVE, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS

by James Frazier

If you have been around Oklahoma City for a while you have undoubtedly heard of Rococo. If you haven’t, or if you haven’t experienced the reimagining of Rococo recently, you are missing out. So, let me tell you about one of my favorite eateries and chefs. Rococo sits in a land of its own as there really aren’t too many East Coast Style seafood focused restaurants in the prairies of Oklahoma. Bruce Rinehart has been turning the OKC restaurant scene on its head since 2003 when he moved here from Boston.

If you know Bruce, you know love. The theme of his food is the theme of his life, all love. He is the quintessential example of a family man. On any given day, you can see Bruce or one of his two boys working the floor at the restaurant, spreading the love. There is a lack of family connection in most restaurants and it’s refreshing to see in the Rinehart family. As an extension of the family, Chef Jason Bustamante has been with Bruce from the beginning of the Rococo journey after moving to Oklahoma to help start this crazy little idea that so many have come to love over the years.

A couple of years ago, it was time for a change, and the perfect location popped up and the reimagined Rococo on Western opened its doors on Black Friday or 2020. On a personal note, I am a huge fan of this location as it holds a lot of history personally for me and for a lot of OKC ites. For me, I remember starting my second business sitting at the bar for Cafe Nova’s infamous happy hour. There have been some great concepts at 4308 N. Western, but I think this one is here to stay. Before opening Rococo on Western, the team did a full renovation on the space making it something magical, and added their patented Rococo elegance and comfort, complete with a wood fire stove, Huge tropical fish tank, and a giant rhino out front. They also fine tuned the patio into something that begs for Sunday Mimosas and Crab Cakes.

Now, how about that food? Chefs Rinehart and Bustamante have created some of the most amazing food in Oklahoma City for years and it just keeps getting better. With the transition to Rococo on Western, they shifted from East Coast with a few very well done seafood items, to a full on East Coast seafood sensation. They still have some of the classic favorites from over the years like Bruce’s big meatballs, grilled pork chops, and Petite Filets but the bulk of the menu is right off the pier.

You can’t talk about Rococo without talking about Crab Cakes. No one, I mean no one does it better. It’s legendary from Baltimore to LA. Now, if you don’t know Baltimore is known for the Orioles and Crab Cakes, and while you can’t always count on the Orioles to win the World Series, you can count on a lot of amazing Crab Cakes. So, when the people of Baltimore are coming to Oklahoma to get a Crab Cake, you should probably do likewise. The Rococo Crab Cake is all about the crab. You take a couple of crackers, a binder then fresh jumbo lump crab, and then bake it. That’s it, it’s gorgeous and you have to try it.

If you are a true seafood fan, you absolutely have to try the Rhode Island Fisherman Stew. In general, I am not a big stew fan, but this dish has me rethinking my preferences about everything. On their menu, it says “all the beautiful things we do with seafood in one dish” and they aren’t joking around. Shrimp, scallops, clams, and sausage in a tomato base with a couple of slices of toasted to perfection bread to sop up all the amazing flavors in this delightful stew.

The word on the streets is that Rococo’s Calamari is an absolute must try and I absolutely agree with them. Calamari is one of those dishes that doesn’t get the respect it deserves. This dish is no ordinary squid game, it’s done right and they give you two options. The Traditional Calamari is served fried to perfection with Rococo’s own marinara sauce that creates an amazing flavor combination. The other style is Rhode Island style, with garlic butter, banana peppers, and cherry peppers. The sweet, tangy, and slight heat of the peppers with the garlic butter and Calamari make your tastebuds scream with joy as you realize why Rococo always talks about Food is Love.

There are so many other delicacies on this menu that really do shine, such as the Lobster Roll, the variations of Seafood Risottos, Oysters, Clams, Octopus, and I could go on and on Spring is in the air making it a perfect time to visit Rococo for some patio vibes with amazing food and one of their amazing cocktails Yes, they have a beautiful selection of cocktails as well, like my personal favorite, the Pecan Old Fashioned

When you think about relaxation, I know for me, the visual is me on a beach, under an umbrella with a MaiTai or some other kind of cocktail in my hand just sipping away. The question is, what’s the key element of that scene that makes it so relaxing? I tend to believe that it’s the perfectly mixed blend of just the right ingredients to make a beautiful cocktail. So, here in Oklahoma, we may not get to sit on a white sand beach every Tuesday, but we can go down to Palo Santo and get an amazing stress reducing cocktail.

I made my way to this stylishly rustic bar two years ago, which happened to be the night that the OKC Thunder shut down. It also happened to be 4 days after Brian and Bailey Butler opened the doors to this dream of theirs. Definitely not the opening week that anyone would ever want, and would drive the weaker of heart to give up. Not this couple. They believed Oklahoma needed a bar like this. I tend to agree. We needed this LA and Oaxacan inspired bar with amazing multicultural bar food taken to the next level and perfectly crafted cocktails that you can get lost in.

Let’s talk about this food before we move on to the cocktails. Bailey describes the menu as Multicultural bar food The menu is more of a small plate style menu with everything taken to another level The LA inspired bacon wrapped hot dog with chile aioli, grilled onion & chile, and cilantro, is not to be confused with any hot dog in town, it stands apart and now I am craving one They have Oaxacan inspired tacos, the best wings in town (seriously, I

PALO SANTO

To cocktail or not to cocktail, there is no question

BY JAMES FRAZIER

love wings and nothing comes close to these), a cheeseburger that could do battle with any burger place in town, and a few other delectable bites that you have to try. You absolutely have to try the Okonomiyaki Tots, they bring a fresh love to an age old food somewhat forgotten in a land full of french fries.

Now for the stars of the show, the cocktails. With a cocktail menu 45 strong and growing, there is no lack of elegance, creativity, and flavor. Palo Santo is known for its wide variety of Mezcal. For those that don’t know, Mezcal is a distilled spirit made from any variety of agave plants. Cooking the agave in pits in the ground gives it a strong smoky flavor. In essence, Mezcal is Tequila’s wiser older brother that likes a good cigar. At Palo Santo, you can experience this experienced drink and even dive into one of 12 Mezcal flights for a great introduction to this smokey spirit.

Palo Santo may be known for their Mezcal, but that isn’t where they stop. They have built one of the most complete cocktail menus in OKC. They literally have something for everyone, that is of age and doesn’t default to Vodka Soda because they are looking after their girlish figure. My personal favorite and probably

my favorite cocktail in OKC is the house named cocktail the Palo Santo. This beautiful cocktail starts with Mezcal Espadin then combines pineapple barley sencha, and demerara to make what can most easily be described as a mezcal old fashioned.

In our interview, Bailey made us three of the crowd's favorite cocktails. She started with the Tokyo Old Fashioned which happens to be one of my favorites. Japanese whiskey has been making a name for itself in the whiskey realm in the last few years and this old fashioned is proof that it is here to love. This Old Fashioned starts with 2 ounces of Suntory Toki whiskey, a ¼ ounce of their house made black tea vanilla banana syrup and poured over a Palo Santo stamped crystal clear ice cube and finally garnished with a lemon peel. I highly recommend you give this classic twist a try.

Next, she made us the Sunny Spot which was a treat to drink, smooth, flavorful, and fun. I mean if you can’t have fun with a cocktail, what are you doing with your life? This drink is kind of a Tiki Margarita and I can very much see myself sipping it on a beach somewhere. To make it you start with 1 1/2 ounces reposado tequila, ¾ fresh lime, ½ ounce curacao, ½ ounce apricot, ½ ounce falernum, and garnished with a Hawaiian black lava salt rim.

Finally, we had the High Noon which is in their long drinks section This is a colorful fun, fresh and fun cocktail perfect for relaxing on a beach or dancing the night away This cocktail starts with an ounce of Blanco tequila, ½ ounce of fresh lime ½ ounce of manzanilla sherry, ½ ounce simple syrup, 1 ½ ounce pineapple juice, a dash of gentiane, and finished with Angostura bitters then garnished with a beautiful dehydrated pineapple

To wrap this up, get over to the OKC Farmer’s Market and check out Palo Santo and all their amazing food and cocktails Tell them we sent you, but whatever you do, don’t pour one out for the homies, that’s alcohol abuse

Best Homebrew Starter Kits

BY HEIDE BRANDES

If you are a fan of craft beer, I’ll lay down money that at one point or another, you’ve dreamed of brewing your own IPA or stout at home Imagine the possibilities! You can have an endless supply of your favorite style of beer that tastes of your own personality And if it is the best you’ve ever tasted, well then, maybe that’s because you brewed it with your own two little hands

Many of your favorite craft breweries in Oklahoma started out in their own kitchens, so there’s no shame in starting out as a beginner in the hoppy world of homebrewing As homebrewing grows even more popular, finding a simple kit to get you started can put you on the path of making great beer After that, it’s up to you and your own imagination

To get the best advice on which starter homebrewing kits are the best, we turned to Steve and Joan Privott of Learn to Brew in Edmond and Gail Shore, owner of The Brew Shop of Oklahoma City for their take

FALLING IN LOVE WITH BREWING

Learn to Brew at 14300 N Lincoln Blvd in Edmond, provides the products, the information, and know how needed for home brewers and winemakers of all levels to produce great tasting, craft brewed beer or wine from home Learn to brew accomplishes this with hands on class instruction that is informative and easy to follow, leaving brewers with the confidence and knowledge needed to make great beer and follow up assistance as needed

Gail Shore’s The Brew Shop opened in Oklahoma City in 1995 at 2916 N Penn Ave The shop sells supplies, ingredients, and equipment to make beer, wine, cider, mead, cheese, kombucha, and more while hosting classes in beer and winemaking

“We are very community based and enjoy teaching the fun hobby of beer and wine making to our local customers. We started our homebrew club Red Earth Brewers out of the shop in 2011 and now have over 100 members,” said Shore.

Both expert shops have experienced just how popular homebrewing has become.

“Most new brewers start because they enjoy beer or wine and want to be able to save a little money while enjoying a new craft and hobby,” said Peter. “People take a lot of pride in their brewing and enjoy sharing with friends and other brewers. They are always looking to improve their technique and process.”

For complete beginners, both Learn to Brew and The Brew Shop say starter brewing kits are a great way to guzzle down your first attempt.Most homebrewers start out with a basic fermentation kit of equipment and a five gallon kit of "Brewer's Best" ingredients, said Gail. This basic fermentation kit takes two weeks of fermentation and two weeks to carbonate a five gallon batch of beer. That makes roughly two cases or 50 12 oz beers.

“Premade Beer Extract Kits are a great way to start,” Peter said. The kits have all the ingredients you need with good instructions. An Extract kit will help the new brewer understand and learn the brewing process, make a good solid beer, and keep the initial investment in equipment to a minimum. There are many different kits to choose from, and we have one or five gallon kits available.”

BEST CHOICES

Peter recommends that new brewers try an Ale Kit first. An Ale has a simpler fermentation process than, say, a lager, but they can pick any beer type they enjoy to start out with.

“We carry the Brewer's Best brand kits because they offer a wide range of kits. Their instructions are easy to follow and they make a consistent good beer,” Peter said. “We also offer some of our own LTB extract kits that we have developed ourselves that keeps the brew day simple and enjoyable.”

Gail at the Brew Shop is also a big fan of kits for the newer brewer Her advice is to choose an ingredient kit that comes with everything, including priming sugar (for carbonation) and bottle caps

“The directions are very clearly written It's a good way to get your feet wet and understand the process of homebrewing, “ she said “The process takes about two and a half to three hours After that, we have all the individual grains, hops and yeast to make recipes We are happy to put together recipes for more advanced homebrewers ”

No matter which kit you choose, they should include fermentation equipment like fermenting buckets and/or glass carboys, siphon equipment, long handled spoon, air lock, bottle filler, a five gallon kettle and, most importantly, a cleaner/sanitizer Ingredient kits should include steeping grains, liquid or dried malt extract, hops, yeast, priming sugar and bottle caps Having roughly 50 beer bottles and a bottle capper on hand is also helpful “Go over the instructions before you start or take a lesson and let us help you brew your first kit, so you will see how the process flows,” said Peter “Don't get in a hurry when fermenting Let the yeast do the work and be patient Get a friend involved and partner up for some fun brew days and tastings, share your brews and learn along the way ”

Whatever you do, Gail said cleaning and sanitizing each and every item used each and every time will keep your beers tasty, and more importantly, healthy.

“Keep good temperature control and be sure to start a journal and take good notes for future reference,” she added.

For more information on brewing kits, brewing equipment, classes and more, visit The Brew Shop at thebrewshopokc.com and Learn to Brew at earntobrew.com.

By Xavier Jackson

Pullout your green! Saint Patrick's Day is just around the corner. You may be thinking to yourself what are some local Irish pubs where you can celebrate? Where in the Metro can you go if you want to get a little Guinness and Meat Pie?

James E. McNellie’s Public House and Sean Cummings’ Irish Restaurant offer two great examples of traditional Irish pubs. These two eateries more than make up for the limited Irish representation in Oklahoma City’s food scene.

McNellie’s is an OKC landmark and it is always a good time to stop by. Pull up to the bar or grab a table to sip some beer and munch on a meal.

Downstairs slip into a window seat for a great view of Midtown. If you want a more relaxed dining experience, make your way upstairs and grab a table with your best buds.

No matter when you decide to visit McNellie’s a raucously fun time is sure to be had. It will never be known as the quite spot in Midtown.

With the food at McNellie’s there are a wide range of options available to sate your appetite. The Reuben sandwich and the Cajun Meatloaf are favorites of many patrons.

Good Fish & Chips can be a hard find in Oklahoma City. For McNellie’s a large cut of Icelandic haddock is deep fried with a thick crispy batter. Drizzle on some vinegar and slather it up with some of their delicious tartar sauce to get the perfect blend of fishy flavors with every bite.

What is a pub without great beer? According to Cummings, it takes about five minutes to properly pour a Guinness. The beer like the pub itself is a joy that is not to be rushed but

savored. For the most authentic taste, you can have a dark Guinness, or if you want something a bit less intense opt for a shot of Ribena to lighten things up.

Cummings’ light hearted spirit carries through in the tone of his pub. He wants to make it known that pub culture is different from the bar scene. Here you can expect to meet new people and have a deep conversation. This isn’t really where you go to pick someone up… and that’s ok. Even families are welcome here.

What better way is there to start your day than with an Irish breakfast? Enjoy some Irish bacon and black pudding, eggs, grilled tomato, and sausage or bangers, which was a name given to them for the bombastic sounds they made while cooking.

There’s a difference between Irish and American cuisines. The offerings at Sean Cummings’ Irish Restaurant do not rely on the intense array of spices American palettes have become accustomed to. Another example of the pub’s pride for Ireland.

So much thought goes into the food at Sean Cummings’. It’s like an edible passport to Ireland and the history of its people. Cummings emphasized that these dishes were born out of the need to make use of every bit of food they had. Try out a pub. Saint Patrick Day is just one day but the great thing is that these two establishments are open year round. See you there!