‘Norman is ripe’

Ward 6 Councilwoman Breea Clark said council members recognized the financial benefits to the city and quality-of-life that taprooms would bring to its residents.

“Norman had to adapt, and we were prepared to do that,” she said.

Clark said it will be a much smoother, easier and quicker process for future breweries to become licensed and zoned in Norman.

The city was teed up when the owners of Lazy Circles Brewing began the process in December 2016.

“Trae and Jonathan had already started asking these questions and got (city officials) thinking about it,” said Stephen Basey, one of Lazy Circles’ owners. “Norman is ripe and ready for this, overdue for this.”

Basey, who is in business with his sister, Holly BaseySwanson, and brother-inlaw, Stephen Swanson, will be the head brewer at Lazy Circles, which is expected to open its taphouse on the 400 block of Main Street this month.

Unlike 405 Brewing Co., which focused on distribution until state law changed last year, the taproom will be Lazy Circles’ bread and butter.

“We want locals to come here and have a local beer, right where it’s being made,” Basey said. “That’s how we will make our mark.”

Despite their different flavors and business models, Lazy Circles and 405 Brewing owners share a common goal to boost craft beer culture and community in Norman.

“We’re working together to change a culture to promote local,” Basey said. “We want to make Norman a brewery destination, and we can’t do that alone.”