Wild Brew is still a go. But not in person.
Due to the pandemic, the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center has adjusted Oklahoma’s longest-running beer event and its biggest fundraiser. Instead of hosting a few thousand people, it plans on having the event online. The 22nd annual event, called Cooped Up Wild Brew, will be hosted Aug. 6-10 on the Wild Brew Facebook page.
Cooped Up Wild Brew will consist of online participation and purchases that will not only save the birds, but funds will also help local breweries and restaurants.
“While this is not the legendary social event Wild Brew is famous for, we are excited to have a way to support the important wildlife conservation mission of the Sutton Center, as well as helping all our local friends who’ve been supporting our cause by generously providing beer and food for years,” said Audra Fogle, director of development for the Sutton Avian Research Center.
This year, the Wild Brew committee has assembled patron packages for purchase. There are four different options available, which include gift cards to local restaurants, branded Wild Brew merchandise and discount opportunities for next year’s event. The VIP packages have an opportunity for a custom brewery tour once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
Patrons can enjoy virtual talks with brewers, cooking lessons with some of Tulsa’s chefs, educational videos from the Sutton Center, an online auction and much more from the safety of home. The patron packages will be available for pick up Aug. 28-29.
Here is how you can participate:
• Purchase packages and merchandise online. The brewery tours available with larger packages will be organized through Pearl Brewery Tours. The swag is available for pick up at the end of August or can be shipped.
• Participate in the Wild Brew beer launch from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 6 and 1-4 p.m. Aug. 8 at Dead Armadillo Brewery, 1004 E. Fourth St. This year’s Wild Brew beer from Dead Armadillo is a New England Hazy IPA made with more than 200 pounds of blackberry puree called Blackberry Haze. It will be available in liquor stores and on tap beginning July 31. A portion of sales supports wildlife conservation.
If city guidelines allow it, the Dead Armadillo taproom will be open for the launch or people can drive through and purchase a kit. Kits are $50 and include two gift cards to local restaurants, Wild Brew pint glass, four-pack of Wild Brew beer, two Wild Brew Koozies, a Wild Brew sticker and $25 off a Wild Brew 2021 patron ticket. (This gives folks the option to participate in something “in person,” as well as practice social distancing with a drive-through option and online purchasing.) Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 customers.
• Bid at the auction, opening online Saturday, July 25, and closing Aug. 10. Bid on all kinds of fun stuff, from chefs coming to your home, to private lessons of all sorts to other merchandise that can be enjoyed in the safety of your home.
• Follow along Aug. 6-10 on Facebook for special Wild Brew tidbits, videos, giveaways and the auction.
• Make a donation. Sutton has received an $80,000 matching grant as of June 30. So every dollar donated will be matched up to $80,000. Time for the match is limited so every bit matters.
The George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding cooperative conservation solutions for birds and the natural world through science and education. To view all donation opportunities, visit wildbrew.org.
Summer thirst-quenchers: Try these seasonal beers from Tulsa breweries
Dead Armadillo’s Himbeere Herbeere

Dead Armadillo Brewery, 1004 E. Fourth St., Himbeere Herbeere, a raspberry Berliner Weisse, at 3.5% ABV
“We have a Raspberry Berliner Weisse, ‘Himbeere Herbeere.’ A crisp, tart and refreshing beer, this Berliner Weisse packs a fruit punch from aging on 200 pounds of whole raspberries. Now for some wordplay. Himbeere is German for ‘raspberry.’ Herbeere is German for ‘tart,’ ” said Tony Peck, founder and brewmaster of Dead Armadillo Brewery.
American Solera’s Western Vibes

American Solera, 1702 E. Sixth St., Western Vibes, 5% ABV.
Western Vibes is brewed in temperature-controlled oak foeder. A foeder (pronounced FOOD-er) is a large wooden vat used in wineries, but more and more breweries are using them.
“The whole thought about a summer beer is that ability to refresh you should surpass the overall complexity or things about the beer that sometimes don’t matter. Its a hot day and you just need something to cool you down. Something that has enough ABV to get you going but not too much to slow you down,” said Chase Healey, brewmaster and founder of American Solera.
Marshall Brewing’s Grand Lake Light Ale

Marshall Brewing Co., 1742 E. Sixth St., Grand Lake Light Ale, at 5% ABV
“Grand Lake Light Ale is a manifestation of summer in Oklahoma. Swimming in lakes, fishing and relaxing in the sun with a delicious beer,” said Wes Alexander, director of marketing for Marshall Brewing Co. It also only has 158 calories.
Cabin Boys Brewery’s Prost King Pils

Cabin Boys Brewery, 1717 E. Seventh St., Prost King Pils, 4.5% ABV
“Good summer beer is something you can enjoy while you flip burgers on the back porch or sunning your toes by the pool,” said Austin McIlroy, brewmaster of Cabin Boys Brewery.
Nothing’s Left Brewing’s Salted Watermelon Crusher

Nothing’s Left Brewing Co., 1502 E. Sixth St., Salted Watermelon Crusher, at 5% ABV.
“Summer beer for me is two parts. Flavor and thirst quenching. Salted Watermelon Crusher is a light-bodied throwback to summers on your grandma’s porch chowing down on salted watermelon,” said Travis Richards, owner and brewmaster of Nothing’s Left Brewing Co. They are also offering beer slushes to cool you down with new flavors every Saturday.
Eerie Abbey Ales’ The Confessional

Eerie Abbey Ales, 517 S Main St., The Confessional, 4.7% ABV
“A traditional Belgian Witbier brewed with Grains of Paradise and orange peel. This light Belgian is a refreshing take on a summer wheat beer. We’ll have a version with mixed berry coming soon,” said Joshua Schrock, co-founder of Eerie Abbey Ales.
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