Marshall Brewing Company, an established craft brewery located in Tulsa, OK, offers support for recently introduced Oklahoma Senate Bill 424 – Senator Crain – Tulsa(R). SB 424 seeks to even an inequity in direct sales to visiting consumers currently permitted in Oklahoma only by wineries. This bill does a good job of advancing the modernization of Oklahoma’s alcohol laws and Oklahoma’s booming craft brewing industry while balancing the equities of all tiers in the system.

Now Tulsa’s Marshall Brewing Co. — the brewery that was instrumental in the passage of the beer sampling bill two sessions ago — has announced its support for SB 424.

Marshall Brewing Co. applauds Senator Crain and SB 424's responsible approach to limiting times that breweries would be permitted to offer direct sales to consumers visiting the brewery premises from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Further, SB 424 would not encroach upon or upset the current wholesale or retail system for craft beer in Oklahoma.

"Throughout our six plus years existence, we have had to turn away consumers and tourists seeking to purchase our strong beer on our brewery premises. SB 424 offers to enhance the consumer experience at the brewery where we promote quality beer for enjoyment responsibly. Marshall has no interest in becoming a late-night bar, liquor store, or distribution business. We simply seek to further the culture of locally produced beer within our community and promote the commerce and tourism that craft beer receives on a national basis," explains Wes Alexander, Director of Marketing and Sales.

Kevin Hall, Director of LOCAL (League of Oklahomans for Change in Alcohol Laws) offers, "SB424 allows Oklahoma breweries the same option every state surrounding Oklahoma offers their breweries. Craft beer enthusiasts would finally be able to visit their favorite Oklahoma brewery, meet the brewers, see where and how the beer is made, sample the beers, and then be able to leave the premise with their favorite packaged strong beer. It's the last part that is key, and consumers want that option. It is what drives beer tourism in the surrounding states, and those states get to cash in on tourists' dollars. Under SB424 the state would be able to incentivize more visitors and generate new taxable revenue from out of state visitors as they come to see what Tulsa has to offer."

The Brewers Association (Boulder, CO), an organization of brewers, for brewers and by brewers, offers the following Position Statement with regard to Brewery Direct to Consumer Sales: "The ability to sell beer directly to qualified consumers from a packaging/bottling brewery's premise would enhance customer loyalty and help increase sales within the three tier distribution system. Such right is not intended to bypass the three tier distribution."