In July of 2010, homebrewing officially became legal in the state of Oklahoma. Red Earth Brewers was founded that same year by Gail Johnson-Shore, shortly after she acquired a local homebrew store, aptly named The Brew Shop.
In October 2010, Red Earth held its first member meeting, and began to grow its member base over the next year to approximately 25 members.
In 2014, the club was made into a 501c(7), and in 2015 won a scholarship from eGrandstand (an online seller of Glassware and apparel for the Craft Beer Industry). That scholarship provided enough capital and was an integral part in growing the club to, what is now, over 100 members strong.
The mission of the Red Earth Brewers is to promote the education and appreciation of homebrewed beers, ciders, wines and meads while at the same time forging relationships with the Oklahoma craft brewing community. This is accomplished through collective education, research, dissemination of information as well as volunteering in all areas related to our craft.
One thing that Red Earth does is provide the craft beer community with a trusted resource pool of individuals who are students or enthusiasts of craft beer and the process of making it. Several of OKC’s local breweries often reach out to Red Earth when they need extra hands with tasks like canning day help, pouring event or serving help, building taproom furniture, or anything else with which they need help. Each year, Red Earth participates in several pouring events that benefit community-driven charity endeavors. These events include the OKC Marathon, Zoo Brew, Mesta Festa, OK Bio Brewfest. Additionally, we hold homebrew competitions and help surrounding clubs and organizations with competitions that they host, such as: F.O.A.M. Cup (Tulsa) and Bluebonnet Brew Off (Dallas TX) and the Kansas City Bier Meisters Homebrew Competition (KCBM).
Red Earth has played a significant part in the craft beer industry growth in Oklahoma. We have made ourselves nationally known through competitions and participation in the American Homebrew Association (AHA) and Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). Prior to 2013, the state of Oklahoma only had 10 breweries. Since then, the industry has grown to over 67(to include Cideries). Of those, 9 have been started by members of Red Earth and currently there are several others that are in planning stages and will soon be among the industry.
Roughtail (OKC) (Toni Tielli and Blane Stansel - co-founding Members) - 2013
Angry Scotsman Brewing (OKC) (Ross Harper) - 2017
Beer Is Good Brewing Company (Norman) (Justin Wilson & Eric Martin) - 2019
Core4 Brewing (OKC) (Marty & Amy Simon, Buck and Jill Buchanan) - 2020
Crossed Cannons Brewery (Norman) (Beau & Katie Salois) - 2020
OK Cider Co. (OKC) (Tim King & Luke Hadsall) - 2020
Frenzy Brewing Company (Edmond) (Matt & Beth Conner, Jeremy Estle) - 2020
Skydance Brewing Co. (OKC) (Jake Keyes & Bobbi Gabler) - 2021
Vanessa House Beer Company (OKC) (Zac Smith, Evan Smith, Nick White, Justin Wright, Andrew Carrales) - 2018