A highly respected brewery clears what is likely to be its biggest hurdle toward setting up shop at 18th Street and Boston Avenue.
American Solera is currently set up in west Tulsa, but founder Chase Healey is eyeing 108 E 18th St. for a new taproom. Microbreweries are considered "low-impact manufacturing and industry" uses under the zoning code. That area is zoned commercial.
Healey said the brewing process involves an all-electric system and doesn’t produce any unpleasant fumes.
"The only thing that would come out would be the moments that we're brewing, which would be maybe once a week every two weeks, and that would just be steam from boiling the beer," Healey said. "So, I mean, it smells good."
Neighborhood association president and real estate broker Patrick Fox said he supports Healey’s plans.
"We at 18th and Boston would be glad to have the second-best new brewery in the world at our location," Fox said.
All three members present for the five-member Board of Adjustment approved the special exception, which now goes to the city council for final approval.
American Solera is America’s best and the world’s second-best new brewery of 2016, according to RateBeer. Healey also founded Prairie Artisan Ales with his brother, Colin.
