Tulsa Press Club to Hold Annual First Draft
PAST DRAFT: This photo was taken at the First Draft in 2011. From left are Event Co-Chairs Tom Gilbert and Karen Gilbert, former Press Club Executive Director and event committee member Tami Hensler, and event committee members Amanda Clinton and Jennifer Hardesty.
GTR Newspapers photo
Tulsa’s premier beer tasting event returns this fall to ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers and anchor to the revitalized Brady and Greenwood Districts. The Tulsa Press Club’s annual First Draft craft beer tasting is celebrating its 11th year, and will be held Friday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Last year’s supporting brewers were Marshall Brewing, Prairie Artisan Ales, Dead Armadillo, Black Mesa, Roughtail, Coop, Choc, Tallgrass, Mustang, Willow Family Ales and with more than 50 Oklahoma craft beers being featured.
Tom Gilbert, chief photographer for the Tulsa World and “What the Ale” beer blogger, is serving as chair of the event for the fourth straight year. “We’re happy to celebrate 11 years of this great event by bringing it back to ONEOK Field, where the Brady District and Greenwood meet,” Gilbert says. “Oklahoma’s breweries continue to make a name for themselves both regionally and nationally. This is an opportunity for our local beer lovers to be among the first to taste the next great beer on the market. With so many unique beers and the beautiful downtown Tulsa skyline as a backdrop, you can’t ask for a better experience.”
Sellout crowds on ONEOK’s Refinery Deck during previous years have opened up the opportunity to take First Draft to the concourse level of the ballpark. The concourse accommodates more people, offers overhead cover, allows for more brewers and gives beer tasters extra room to move. Last year’s event came close to being sold out as in previous years with about 500 attendees. This year’s event is expected to draw at least 600 people.
First Draft benefits the Tulsa Press Club, whose mission is to foster and promote ethical journalism, defend freedom of the press and the public’s right to information, and encourage the exchange of ideas between media and the public. The event also helps to fund college scholarships.
To purchase tickets or for more information about First Draft, visit www.firstdrafttulsa.com, check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/firstdrafttulsa or follow the event on Twitter at @TulsaFirstDraft. Sponsorships and packages are available.
Updated 09-28-2015
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