The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma recently opened Downstream Crafted Brewing Company at the tribe’s Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw, Oklahoma. Located in the expanded Legends Sports Bar, the space was renovated for $400,000 to house the new brewing tanks and the brewing system cost $90,000. Food and Beverage Director Lucus Setterfield said, “Whenever you’re in here eating, you’re also able to order a beer, see where the beer is being made and have some information about it. All of this is so that we can continue to do what we really like to do, and that’s educate our guests. We like to be able to talk about the things that we do here to make sure that they know this isn’t just a casino, but it’s also a place that you can get something unique.”
Two in-house beers, Flat Red Rock and Craft House Kolsch, currently are available at Downstream Crafted Brewing Company. Lead brewer Michael Williams said, “As it grows, we’ll grow. It’s exciting. It’s an adventure to us.”
Setterfield said a computer-controlled brewing system, designed by Reno-based Global BeerCo, takes up minimal space in the sports bar, avoiding the need for a large warehouse. Each of four silver and copper brewing tanks can store up to 250 gallons of beer, or about 2,000 pints, he noted. The brewing process takes seven to 10 days from start to finish.
Setterfield said the craft beer also will be used in the restaurant’s cooking, and new ale recipes will be created using ingredients from the tribe’s coffee roasting facility and honey from its beehives. Tribal agricultural endeavors also include bison, greenhouses and meat processing.
