STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 44
The taproom has also nurtured a thriving and diverse music scene that earned it the title of Best Venue for three years running in the Best of Stillwater awards. Sullins thinks the atmosphere around the outdoor stage is the reason.
town, Sullins said. Irby, who had spent 10 years learning the craft brewery business while living in Colorado, knew a college town like Stillwater, which already had one local brewery, could support more. But they had to wait for Oklahoma’ s liquor laws to change so he could open a satellite tap room. It turned out to be worth the wait.
“ I knew the excitement was there but the way it has sustained over four years has exceeded my expectations,” Sullins said.“ We’ ve been able to sustain it for four years and I hope it continues forever.”
Sullins, who hails from Chicago and has run taprooms for about 20 years, joined the company as it was preparing to expand to Stillwater. He says he always shoots for the stars and hasn’ t been disappointed. He appreciates the loyalty Stonecloud has earned and the way it’ s been integrated into the community.
“ That’ s what our goal was,” Sullins said.“ I taught a beer anthropology class and breweries and taprooms used to be a sort of community center. We wanted to be the place people come for community.”
The taproom has also nurtured a thriving and diverse music scene that earned it the title of Best Venue for three years running in the Best of Stillwater awards. Sullins thinks the atmosphere around the outdoor stage is the reason.
“ I hate to be cliché but some nights it’ s borderline magical,” Sullins said.
Sullins says he loves Red Dirt music but in addition to that genre, Stonecloud books bands that may not get a lot of play at other venues in town. They’ ve booked punk bands, hard rock bands, and jazz bands as they branched out in their offerings.
The outdoor seating area, with a covered patio and a yard shaded by huge trees, was something new and exciting for Stillwater when it opened. It was so exciting that Stonecloud was named Best Patio in the Best of Stillwater awards just a few weeks after they opened. They were nominated before the taproom had even opened, he said. And that was exactly what they had hoped for. They want people to feel relaxed and be reminded of a happy place.
“ My hope is that it is Stillwater’ s backyard,” Sullins said.
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“ That’ s the goal: create the space and let people fill the vibe.”
PHOTO PROVIDED
A colorful mural decorates a cinder block wall on the patio at Stonecloud, adding to the lively atmosphere.
STORY BY: MICHELLE CHARLES Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine
PHOTOS by MICHELLE CHARLES
STILLWATER OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE / 44