Tulsa Homebrewing Business Struggles To Stay Open After Nearly 2 Decades

**Update**

On March 4, Dave and Desiree Knott, the owners of High Gravity Brewing Company, decided to close their doors.

After much handwringing we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors after almost 20 years serving the Tulsa community. March 30th will be our last day. Thank you for the recent donations to our GoFundMe campaign. Unfortunately, there is no more holding back the tide.

On Monday we will start the process of clearing out our inventory on the retail side. Look for announcements coming soon.

While we are still dealing with 5 stages of grief, we want to celebrate the friends and the incredible brewing community that we’ve been a part of and helped to shape.

We are going out with a bang and have some amazing beers coming out this month.

We released our #czechyourbooty Czech Pilsner today to honor Heather Sams and bring attention to colorectal cancer and the importance of early screenings. 10% of sales will go to her family.

Our Boggy Bottom Barleywine 2024 Sighting will be available in 12oz bottles and on tap on March 16th.

On March 17th we are having a St. Patrick’s Day Brunch, featuring The Raven, our Irish Stout on nitro with a corned beef street taco buffet.

March 23rd is our Last Call Celebration. We will be releasing two 20th anniversary barrel-aged beers. Both are Belgian-style Quads, one aged in a Grand Marnier barrel and the other aged in a Brandy barrel was used to age maple syrup. Manilla Ice will be here from 4-8pm to join in on the fun. More details to come.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us these almost 20 years. What an amazing ride this has been, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings.

See original story below:

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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.

The owners of High Gravity Brewing Company 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.