A Tulsa couple is worried they’ll have to close the doors to their business after nearly 20 years of helping people make their own beer and wine. They say interest in making beer at home is slowing down as more professional breweries open around Tulsa.
Dave Knott knows a thing or two about pouring a homemade beer. A hobby for him and his wife, Desiree, turned into a career of helping others make their own craft beers.
Many of those first-timers evolved into opening their own breweries around town.
“We’re kind of like the Godparents of the brewing industry here in Tulsa,” said Desiree.
Related: From Hobby To Business: Tulsa’s Craft Beer Boom
The Knotts say business has slowed down in the years after the pandemic. They say more people celebrating Dry January last month didn’t help things either.
The couple says more people are enjoying Tulsa’s breweries instead of making beers at home. They know many of the owners and have been a frequent lifeline.
“We’ve been able to help them out over the years,” said Desiree. “Just really hard to see us not doing that anymore.”
Jake Miller owns Heirloom Rustic Ales and is one of the Knotts’ frequent customers.
“Dave and Desiree are brewing industry staples here in Oklahoma,” he said.
Miller knows firsthand the hardships of running a brewery and can’t imagine the scene without Dave and Desiree and their nearly 20 years of business.
“To be coming up on that kind of anniversary and have all these stressful thoughts and feelings surrounding that momentous occasion is tough,” said Miller.
The Knotts say that sense of community is what makes it all worthwhile.
“It’s an industry where you feel like all the people you’re competing against are your friends,” said Desiree. “You don’t feel like you’re really competing against them.”
The Knotts say business needs to turn around in the next month, or else they will have to close for good.
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