Bacon Booze: Local bar, bartender in trouble for infusing vodka

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — The Pump Bar is a popular spot on Northwest 23rd & Walker Avenue. It's frequented by a variety of people, and lately, police have been making their presence known.

Back in February, the ABLE Commission was called out to investigate a noise complaint. While it didn't find any noise problems, there was something else suspicious.

"They found bottles of alcohol were being emptied, contents put in the liquor and put back into the bottle," said M.Sgt. Gary Knight with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

The police report shows a list of things - garlic, pickles, beef and even bacon, being infused into vodka.

"Obviously this is a violation of law," he said. "You cannot pour alcohol out and pour anything back into the bottle then serve it."

Initially, the bar and on-duty manager Colin Grizzle, were warned. But, Knight says the VICE unit was called back in April and again found infused liquors.

"You simply cannot do that," he said. "Regardless of what you're putting in it, even if it's just water."

Grizzle was hauled off to jail. The Pump's owner, Ian McDermid, tells FOX 25 his employee spent three days behind bars.

"There was no second thought to go to bat for our man after he was arrested on the job for criminal charges," McDermid told us over email. "We believe there was no violation."

The law is listed under Oklahoma's liquor laws. However, McDermid doesn't believe infused liquor is clearly defined.

McDermid, in cooperation with the ALBE Commission, is hoping to better define infused liquor laws and get all charges dropped.

"We simply want to play by the rules. We just need to know what the rules are," he said.