Rogness Brewing Company celebrated its one-year anniversary on May 12, 2013.
The brewery kicked off this intro to a new year in the traditional Austin way: with a party.
Vendors and artisans from across the Austin area showed up to congratulate the once-tiny brewery…and it wasn’t just any party.
A Bit About Rogness Brewing Company
Kind of like Mario after eating a mushroom, this local brewery has grown into a large contender in the local beer market over the past year. It has gained loyal followers, from local beer nuts to national magazines.
The Texas craft beer industry is exploding and it’s difficult to break into. This is why the 1UP party is such a big deal. Surviving for a year as a microbrewery in Austin is impressive enough, but Rogness Brewing Company is doing much more. It’s thriving.
The Party Starts
Rogness’s 1UP video game celebration was the perfect combination of beer and video games. It was my personal utopia.
Where to begin? The 1UP party was a playground for retro game fans. As soon as I walked into the brewery, I saw classic games like Galaga and Pac-Man projected against the walls. Players and onlookers crowded around the gaming consoles, some of which were older than the people playing the games. Occasionally I would hear cheers or moans from across the brewery, as players lost and surrendered their controllers to the next person.
Nothing brings people together like beer and video games. Until someone loses.
Scattered between the gaming systems were beer stands with Rogness brews on tap. At the door, I was given a custom glass and the suggestion to fill it with whatever beer caught my eye.
The Atari is mankind’s greatest achievement. Twenty years old, and this thing still worked like a charm
Somewhere around my third glassful of the raspberry stout, I heard a cymbal crash. A guitar and bass kicked in, and suddenly the crowd was grooving to live renditions of video game soundtracks. I didn’t know it was possible to rock out to music designed for 8 bit computer programs, but these bands did it.
The whole crowed jammed to the music. Some two stepped, some skanked. All drank.
So here I was, sipping craft beer and wandering around a craft brewery while video game tunes played overhead…
This thing puts the five gallon carboy in my closet to shame.
…Utopia.
Soon I met up with a small group that was talking passionately about the brewing equipment. An impromptu tour was forming.
The Rogness crew mingled with the partygoers and chatted us up.
The brewers themselves provided low-key tours of the brewery equipment. A small group of beer enthusiasts followed the brewers around and pointed at every small bit of equipment. “What’s that?” we asked. The brewers smiled and explained the processes of brewing with the enthusiasm of those who truly love and understand their craft.
I personally appreciate their creative approached to traditional beer styles. Here is a short list of beers that I drank at the party and I recommend:
- Tenebrous (Double Chocolate Stout)
- Bella (Belgian Golden Ale)
- Gigantophis (Imperial IPA)
- Rook (Scotch Ale)
Raising a Glass to Another Good Year
Let’s make sure that Rogness can celebrate a second anniversary. Who knows what the theme will be next year? The Austinot is all about supporting local business, and I am all about supporting good beer. Our glasses are raised to Rogness for a successful and profitable second year.
You can find a complete list of the Rogness brews here.
@DustyVegas asks:
Have you ever enjoyed a pint from Rogness Brewing Company?
