Changes to outdated beer laws are a boon not just to breweries but also to consumers, as they almost always widen the available options. A perfect example is the state of Oklahoma, which will now see Ska Brewing beer on its store shelves and in bars for the first time.
What change brought this about? Well, as resident Okies know, the state used to forbid the sale of full strength beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. To get these products, one had to visit a liquor store and depending on where you lived, this could prove a major inconvenience. Voters decided to overturn these outdated laws and, effective October 1, 2018, beer up to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume and wine up to 14.99 percent alcohol by volume can now be purchased at the same place where you shop for groceries or convenience store items.
With the changes to the law, it was only a matter of time until some of the larger craft breweries took notice and Ska Brewing, based in nearby Colorado, is one of the first to jump on board. The Durango- based brewery has now signed a deal with Boardwalk Distribution, increasing Ska Brewing’s footprint to 13 U.S. states.
Freddy Lamport, Boardwalk Distribution’s Beer Division Vice President, is happy to add Ska Brewing to Oklahoma’s craft beer retail scene and he is confident that consumers will be ecstatic.
“Boardwalk Distribution is more than excited to team up with Ska Brewing for distribution across the state of Oklahoma,” says Lamport. “Ska Brewing has been one of those amazing breweries that has always been outside the Okie consumer’s hand’s… well not any more! We believe their brand, mantra and style are in perfect alignment with our core beliefs and are very happy to welcome them to our portfolio.”
Ska Brewing co- owner Matt Vincent just happens to be an Oklahoma native and naturally, he is thrilled to finally get his brewery’s beer into his former home state. The change in beer laws is, of course, the main reason for the decision to distribute to the Sooner State.
“The laws in the state allow better opportunities for good, cold beer to be imported into it… Plus my mom is sick of driving to Kansas to buy Ska beer,” said Vincent.
Ska Brewing has several Oklahoma launch events planned in January, 2019, when the beer first makes its way into the state. Be sure to follow Ska Brewing on Facebook for the latest happenings.
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