Pflugerville brewery crafts unique flavors

The flavors of Rogness Brewing Co. have complemented Pflugerville-area taste buds like salted nuts with a pint of Belgian ale since the company's launch in March 2012.

Now approaching their third year in business, owners Forrest and Diane Rogness have expanded their production from two to 15 types of beer, with plans to develop several more. The husband-and-wife team have home-brewed their own beer since 1990, and after receiving compliments and feedback, decided to pursue brewing full-time.

"It's something we've always been passionate about," Diane said. "So we decided it was something we should do on a grander scale."

While Rogness fans can count on favorites such as the Ost porter to be readily available, the brewery also constantly creates and experiments with new beers. The Rognesses said their flavor inspiration comes from food, customer suggestions and wanting to bring underrepresented styles and flavors to the public.

"We keep striving to make something different all the time," Forrest said. "Even if you make the five best beers in the world, you would get tired of making those five beers all the time."

Tastings and events such as trivia nights are held from 4–10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday at the brewery and allow beer drinkers to sample the company's offerings both bottled and on tap. The events also allow community members to meet friends, relax and enjoy Rogness products that may not be available in stores.

In the upcoming year, the brewery is slated to increase its production as it implements a bottling line and begins working with a local distributor to offer its products at more retail locations in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties. Forrest and Diane have also secured a winery license and plan to work on creating a hard cider product in the next several months.

"There's going to be some serious expansion happening," Diane said.

Flavors

Rogness Brewing Co. serves various special and seasonal beers but currently offers 15 varieties on a regular basis.

Beardy Guard – reddish amber ale – finishes dry with an earthy spiciness

Belfort – Belgian-style strong ale – hints of plum, grape and banana

Bella – Belgian-style golden – tart flavor with notes of apple, pear and honey

Boomslang – India pale lager – the hybrid taste includes the hops of an IPA enhanced with the crisp, clean nature of a lager

Gigantophis – imperial India Pale Ale (IPA) – citrus, pine and earthy notes

Holiday – winter ale – inspired by an oatmeal raisin cookie, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, oatmeal and vanilla

Joie d't – saison – made with lemon zest and lavender flowers

Ost – porter – chocolate, caramel, coffee and roasted malt notes

Pro-Am – extra special/strong bitter (ESB) – a mixture of American, German and English malts and specialty grains with traditional English hops

Rattler* – pale ale – malt and citrus flavors with a slight earthy finish

Rogtoberfest – festbier – features smaragd, a German hop

Rook – Scottish ale – malt character with woody and English toffee notes

Tenebrous* – stout – rich flavor profile with hints of chocolate

Vinton* – blonde ale – a crisp, citrusy, smooth golden ale

Yogi – chai spiced amber – flavors of Saigon cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, and black pepper with caramel notes offset by rich tannins

*Beers offered on tap only

Beer run

Rogness beer can be found at a variety of restaurants, bars and stores in the area.

The Brass Tap, 204 E. Main St., Round Rock

Dany's Liquor, 2700 W. Pecan St., Ste. 303, Pflugerville

Homefield Grill, 2000 S. I-35, Ste. D1, Round Rock

Jack Allen's Kitchen, 2500 Hoppe Trail, Round Rock

Moon Dance Wine and Spirits, 3720 Gattis School Road, Ste. 900, Round Rock

Pecan Liquor, 1912 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville

Spec's Round Rock, 201 University Oaks Blvd., Ste. 600, Round Rock

Twin Liquors, 900 E. Pecan St., Ste. 700, Pflugerville

Westside Alehouse, 1500 N. I-35, Round Rock

2400 Patterson Industrial Drive, Pflugerville, 512-670-2537, xxxx, Twitter: @rognessbrewing, Tap room hours: Fri.–Sat. 4–10 p.m.