Alcoholmanac 2023
It’s a celebration of local spirits in the Oklahoma Gazette’s annual Alcoholmanac!
Cover Stories
Golden years
Troyal Brux has some friends in low places, and it won’t be the drinkin’ or her memory that kills newfound friend and fellow music legend George Jones, but his heart. The two pair up for an unforgettably surreal encounter on the eve of Jones being cryogenically frozen in auteur Mickey Reece’s newest film, which was…
Here for beer
Angry Scotsman Brewing — Fortitude The biggest complaint about abbey ales isn’t usually the heft of the alcohol content but rather the sweetness of the brew. Fortitude is the rare Belgian-style that comes off dry and less sweet while maintaining the strength the style is infamous for having. The problem you’re most likely to face…
Citizen Spotlight: Peppy’s Pantry
After the loss of his job and then his father, Morgan Tepsic found himself in a bit of a bind. With rising costs, money was tight and his family found themselves struggling to make ends meet. Food for the family’s two dogs was among the expenses. “Dog food was a big one. The stuff isn’t…
The party of “small government” has once again decided that overreach doesn’t apply to sticking its grubby little fingers underneath your clothing.
The party of “small government” has once again decided that overreach doesn’t apply to sticking its grubby little fingers underneath your clothing. Republicans in the Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 2177, which effectively bans transgender health care. It will be sent to the Senate, and, if approved there, to Kevin’s desk. “This…
If anyone is still questioning the state superintendent’s commitment to public education, know that Ryan Walters showed up to personally present the Teacher of the Year award. Nevermind that he was an hour late to the ceremony.
If anyone is still questioning the state superintendent’s commitment to public education, know that Ryan Walters showed up to personally present the Teacher of the Year award. Nevermind that he was an hour late to the ceremony. Also nevermind that he was obviously unprepared and bumbled his way through his portion of the program in…
Still the one
For the first time in history, spirits have surpassed beer sales. In 2022, 42.1 percent of all alcohol sales came from liquor, while brewing accounted for 41.9 percent, according to the U.S. Distilled Spirits Council. While Oklahoma is relatively new to the spirits scene, here’s a glance at some of the distilleries competing for market…
On the road again
When Drive-By Truckers went into the studio at the end of July 2021, it was coming off releasing an unintentional trilogy of albums rife with socially conscious messages—2016’s American Band, 2020’s The Unraveling and The New OK. The band plays The Jones Assembly March 21. All three albums were overflowing with trenchant musical observations about…
Strain Review: Street Lights
Strain name: Street Lights Grown by: Rooted Zen Acquired from: The Warehouse Dispensary Date acquired: March 1 Physical traits: sparkling purple and green Bouquet: earthy and gassy Review: The collaborative dispensary between Likewise Cannabis and Rooted Zen shuttered a few months ago, but their relationship continues with the newest venture that just opened near Classen…
Shelf life
Oklahoma House Bill 2354 was supposed to be about local winemakers and self-distribution. But that was before Feb. 27, when Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City) moved to strike the entire language of the bill and replace the whole thing instead with a measure that industry insiders have been expecting for a while now: allowing sales…
Cask of characters
By now, everyone knows the easy way to launch a small craft distillery. Buy a still and make some quick, simple vodka. Maybe an easy gin. Buy up some already made whiskey, slap a label on it, and act like you’re reinventing the wheel. Well, sure, that’s the easy way. Now, how do you do…
Gazedibles: Beware the Ides of March
The year is 44 BC. You’re famed and feared leader Julius Caesar, and you receive a warning from a soothsayer: “Beware the Ides of March.” Ignoring bad omens and your wife’s pleas, you head to the Senate. Upon arrival, your friend distracts you while senators pull out their forks and fatally stab you. All right,…
Wolf in sheep’s clothing
If those Jesus Gets Us ads look too good to be true, it’s because they are. My progressive Christian friends have been almost giddy over their apparent emphasis on peace and justice, on immigrant rights, on a thoroughly human Jesus who knows the limits of politics, of family, and of judgmental fear mongering instead of…
Strain Review: Chimera #4
Strain name: Chimera #4 Grown by: Lettuce Smoke Co. Acquired from: The Lettuce Bar Date acquired: Feb. 26 Physical traits: frosted shades of green Bouquet: earthy and gassy Review: The Lettuce Bar is a little off the beaten path for most OKC residents, but the top-notch dispo is always worth the short drive. The Chimera…
