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Oak & Ore
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Thursday is Oklahoma Repeal Day, which marks the 57th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition in Oklahoma. As such, the Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma (CBAO) will celebrate the auspicious occasion with Free the Taps, a legislator call-to-action and voter-registration drive.

Legislators from across the state will be invited to Oak & Ore for mingling and to hear from brewery representatives and the public about the need for modernizing Oklahoma’s craft beer laws.

“The CBAO is excited to celebrate Oklahoma Repeal Day by further engaging our legislators in conversations about alcohol-law modernization as it pertains to the Oklahoma craft beer industry, and also by providing our loyal customers with a platform to voice their support for our movement and goals, namely: brewery-taproom reform; raising arbitrary limits on local beer alcohol content; and reasonable and responsible market access for Oklahoma breweries,” said Micki Bell of Prairie Artisan Ales.

Representatives from the League of Oklahomans for Change in Alcohol Laws (LOCAL), a consumer-advocacy group focused on alcohol-law reform, will also be on hand to show support for CBAO and will have membership signups available.

“Consumers in almost every other state enjoy visiting their local craft breweries, getting to know their local brewers, and learning more about a booming craft industry that boosts the local economy,” said LOCAL’s Kevin Douglas Hall. “LOCAL supports the CBAO and their efforts to bring Oklahoma’s laws into the modern age.”

Supporters and retailers see the restrictions as holding back innovation.

“As these breweries are allowed to grow without unreasonable restrictions, I expect to see craft beer in Oklahoma grow exponentially, which will residually increase our customer base as well as other establishments,” said Micah Andrews, co-owner of Oak & Ore. “Local businesses should be able to grow within a free market, and we support law change to allow Oklahoma breweries that opportunity.

“This legislative session is particularly important because alcohol-law reform is already being discussed, and local craft beer should be front and center. We couldn’t be more excited to host this event and further the cause for these changes.”

The bar will serve beer (naturally), but it won’t be just any beer: Collaboration For Legislation, a low-point pale ale, was created as a group project between the eight core brewery members of CBAO (Prairie, Anthem Brewing, Choc Brewing, COOP Ale Works, Iron Monk Brewing, Marshall Brewing, 405 Brewing, and Renaissance Brewing). All proceeds from sales of the beer go to support CBAO’s work. CBAO-logo pint glass will also be on sale, and a voter-registration booth will be provided for any unregistered attendees.

(Editor’s Note: NonDoc Publisher Andrew Rice is an investor in Oak & Ore.)