Craft Beer Ordinance Recently Passed in Oxford is Creating Quite the Buzz

By Madalyn Bierster
Broadcast journalism student

Jackson Beer Company, the only craft beer store in North Mississippi. Photo by Madalyn Bierster. 

Talk about one store in Oxford is buzzing after the local Board of Alderman passed an ordinance that will allow customers to have a beer on the premises. 

Jackson Beer Company isn’t just selling beer, owner Allen Jackson said he’s trying to sell a genuine craft beer experience.

“Draft beer can be kind of intimidating if you don’t know what you like, and that’s why we use samples from our growler station. We keep draft on so they can come in and, if they didn’t really know what kind of beer they liked, I could give them a couple of options that they could try,” Jackson said.

Though it was a nerve-racking day of the vote for Jackson, he says he was truly surprised by the outcome.

“This is going to make for a much more enjoyable experience. I think the mayor saw what we were trying to do, and I think she had a lot of influence on it. When they went to vote, I was really shocked it turned out good for us. I wish someone would have seen my face during that time frame,” he said.

One Ole Miss student loves to try new brews and is ready for the new rule to take effect.

“This ordinance is good because I’m able to go into the craft beer store and try the beer before I buy it. I can just relax and I’m not stressed out about wasting money on a beer that I may or may not like,” said graduate student Morgan Beagle.

Jackson says ordinances such as these will help bring in customers and increase revenue. 

“People come in here and they spend time to shop and ask questions and they would like to enjoy a beer while they’re in here shopping. It’s not like a convenience store where you are just in and out. A lot of people come in here as an education,” Jackson said.

The new ordinance will go into effect in 30 days.

To read the ordinance, click here.