Whether you go for beer, wine, ice cold sweet tea, or a freshly brewed cup ‘a joe, there’s nothing quite like settling into vacation mode with a drink to whet your whistle—bonus points if it’s on a sunny patio. And good news for those who like to lounge: McCurtain County’s got plenty of cheers-worthy patios and drinks. Check out some of our favorite brews from around the Beavers Bend, and get your getaway started off right.
BEER:
The Grateful Head Pizza Oven and Tap Room
For a match made in culinary heaven, it’s hard to find a better pairing than pizza and beer. Thankfully, The Grateful Head Pizzeria and Taproom in Hochatown has you covered with frosty beers, doughy artisan pizza, and a breezy patio perfect for enjoying both. Add in live music on the weekends and you might never leave. And true to its roots, The Grateful Head embraces the hometown hero spirit with a menu full of Oklahoma craft and micro-brews—some brewed right in McCurtain County! Order something local for a true taste of Beavers Bend.
As the longtime dream and brainchild of Steve Bartholomew, Brad Reesing, and Greg Campbell, Beavers Bend Brewery puts quality and flavor first in their brews. The result is craft beer with a Southeastern Oklahoma slant, and includes everything from ales to sours, fruity takes and seasonal brews. Track down a sixer of their elixirs direct from the source, or taste their brews at Grateful Head or Abendigo’s. Insider tip: we like the Hoppin’ Howlapeno Ale and the Red Slough Amber.
WINE:
Beer not your thing? Sashay over to Girls Gone Wine across the street, where you’ll find a kitschy playground of gifts, goodies, trinkets, and of course, wine. Opened by three girlfriends with a passion for passing the time with a glass of wine, Girls Gone Wine is the perfect place to sit back, let your hair down, and gab over some grapey goodness. Girls Gone Wine offers complimentary tastings and custom winemaking classes for special occasions. Stop in during the evening for a glass under their twinkle light-lit patio!
After you’ve enjoyed your first round, take your tour over to Vojai’s Winery for another sampling session. With a free tasting and a large selection of wines and gifts to take home, Vojai’s makes it easy to snag souvenirs your friends and family actually want. And in true vacation fashion, their covered patio offers a perfect place to put your feet up, fill your glass, and unwind.
Open Monday -Saturday.
Fish Tales Winery and Vineyards
For those looking to taste the terroir of McCurtain County, stop by Fish Tales Winery and sample the house blend, which features Muscadine grapes grown in the rich McCurtain County soil. Fish Tales also keeps several varieties of red, white, sweet, semi-sweet, and semi-dry wines on hand at any given time, meaning you’ll have plenty to swirl and sip during your visit. For those who prefer a nonalcoholic beverage, Fish Tales also offers fresh juices.
As a bonus, Fish Tales breaks the mold by also offering guided fishing trips along McCurtain County’s Lower Mountain Fork River. Take your bottle to go and enjoy it after a day on the water!
SPIRITS:
Though not exactly ‘brewed’ in the traditional sense, we’ve never been one to discriminate when it comes to fine food and beverages, and the barrel-aged elixirs at Hochatown Distilling Company are no exception. Stop by around the holidays and pick up a unique gift for the whiskey-lover in your life, along with a bottle to share on your cabin patio after hours.
COFFEE:
Need a pick me up? Slide up to the counter at Adam & Eve’s for fresh-roasted coffee, espresso shots, frozen drinks, and other hot and cold beverages. Hint: for the house specialty, grab the frozen hot chocolate, a super-smooth dessert drink too good to miss. If that weren’t enough, Adam & Eve’s pastry cases are usually lined with fresh goodies; we suggest you grab a baked good to pair with your brew for the full effect. Not sure what to get? Just ask Adam or Eve for a suggestion (yep—those are their real names!).
Ready to sip your way through McCurtain County? Head this way for other ideas on how to get the most out of your visit, and start planning your next trip around the Beavers Bend.
