Home hobby evolves into beer business

Twenty-two years ago, Forrest Rogness took up brewing beer as a hobby. Today, Forrest and his wife, Diane, are the successful owners of Pflugerville's first microbrewery—Rogness Brewing Co.

"We started [Rogness Brewing Co.] in 2011 but had our first beer in stores in March [2012]," Forrest said. "It has been a long, involved process."

Although the brewery has been up and running for little more than a year, the couple said demand for their beers is already exceeding their brewing capacity.

"You cannot make enough beer," Diane said. "[Austin] is a craft beer area, everyone wants to try something new. The market is there as long as you can supply the volume."

Rogness Brewing Co. currently sells 10 styles of beer, with selections ranging from an oatmeal and raisin cookie–inspired Holiday Winter Ale to the hop-infused Gigantophis Imperial India Pale Ale. Rogness beers are available at more than 100 bars, liquor stores and grocers throughout Central Texas. Five of the Rogness beers are available in bottles.

"We are brewing in really small batches, but we are about to increase production because demand keeps picking up, and [retailers] keep asking and asking for more," Forrest said. "In [January] we are going to increase our brewing tenfold."

2400 Patterson Industrial Drive, Austin, 512-670-2537, www.rognessbrewing.com

• Tours and tastings Sat. 1–4 p.m.