USA, OK: Elk Valley Brewing eyeing late December opening

Hudson Avenue, long a sleeper stretch of an otherwise vibrant Midtown, is set to start coming back to life with the opening of Elk Valley Brewing later this month, NewsOK.com reported on December 9.

What was last a tattoo shop attached to an aging and unrecognizable former theater and shell of an office building has been transformed into a tap room for Elk Valley Brewing. The roof is set to open this spring as an open air rooftop patio, while a two-story brewing room is home to a series of tanks that will produce Elk Valley's four main brands and a rotation of specials.

Elk Valley Brewing was started five years ago by longtime home brewer John Elkins.

"Elk Valley started as a dream,” Elkins said. “Some equipment came up, and we were able to purchase it. And Elk Valley was born.”

Over the past five years, Elk Valley has shared space with other more-established brewers. The Midtown location at 1210 N Hudson Ave. popped up as the craft brewery community took off with laws that allowed for taprooms and expansion of hours from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. closings.

“We're finally getting our own home now,” Elkins said. “I love this location. We looked at several places for Elk Valley to go, but this like a home for me. I used to live not far from here. And that is where we started home brewing. So this feels like coming home.”

The design of the brewery and taproom by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and designer Stephanie Fringer features a mix of modern and classic bar elements. The taproom features murals by local artist Matt Goad, who also created Elk Valley's new logo and can designs.

The new location allows for increased production, and brewing started Thanksgiving week.

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