Piney River Brewing Company is celebrating 15 years of brewing craft beer in the Ozarks with a party at the brewery farm in Bucyrus on Saturday, March 28.
The “15th Aleiversary” will be held from 2 to 10 p.m. at the BARn – the brewery and tap room located off Highway ZZ in Bucyrus. The annual party will feature beer releases, live music and food.
“When we started our brewery, there were several craft breweries in the U.S. celebrating 15 and 20-year anniversaries, and that seemed so amazing to us at the time,” said Joleen Senter Durham, co-founder and co-owner of Piney River Brewing with her husband, Brian. “And here we are.”
The Durhams noted that reaching the 15-year milestone at the brewery would not have been possible without a dedicated brewing and taproom team, willing and able distribution partners, enthusiastic retail partners and a growing and loyal fan base locally and across the country.
“Fifteen years really is a reason to hold the biggest party in Bucyrus,” Brian said.
The 15th Aleiversary will feature music from several area musicians. Josie VanKirk, Braden VanKirk and James VanKirk will perform as solo artists, and the Lone Pine Band, which includes the Van Kirks, will cap off the music for the day. Expect a mix of original tunes and covers from classic rock to folk and country.
Tinga Tacos of Springfield will be on site providing food for the event. The taco trailer specializes in a variety of made-from-scratch, unique street tacos, nachos and sides prepared with fresh ingredients.
The BARn taproom at Piney River will feature an extensive list of year-round and some limited release beers during the Aleiversary festivities, too. Andy’s Root Beer, a non-alcoholic root beer, is available for kids and designated drivers. Gluten-free options are also available in a hard seltzer and a cider.
“The Aleiversary is always a great time to enjoy a variety of beers, some of which are not easy to find outside of Bucyrus,” head brewer Brian Durham said.
Piney River’s extensive line up of year-round beers, including some mixed fermentation styles will be available for the 15th Aleiversary, including a small batch of Mule Team Imperial IPA. Old Tom Porter with vanilla beans, the brewery’s Great American Beer Festival award-winning brown porter with Madagascar vanilla beans added, will be on tap. Masked Bandit IPA, an award-winning black rye IPA, will be available, too.
Piney River’s spring seasonal, Bock Bawk Beer, a German-style lager, will also be on tap and in 6-packs to take home. World Beer Cup award winning Missouri Waltz with cherries will be available as well as Missouri Waltz with raspberries.
“Joleen and I are excited to raise a pint with everyone that makes the trip to Bucyrus on March 28,” Brian Durham said. “It’s always a privilege to celebrate independent craft beer made right here in the Ozarks.”
The special release beers will be available beginning on the Friday afternoon before the Aleiversary when the tap room opens that weekend.
“Saturday’s party will be a big event with lots of beer lovers, families and dogs,” Joleen Durham said. “If crowds aren’t your thing, you are welcome to visit us on Friday evening or Sunday afternoon to enjoy a pint in the tap room or to purchase the limited release beers to take home.”
All ages are welcome at the 15th Aleiversary, and everyone will be asked to show identification prior to entry. Leashed pets are also welcome.
Piney River Brewing is located on the Durhams’ 160-acre farm. The tap room and a portion of brewing operations are located in a restored 75-year-old barn. The Durhams founded the brewery in 2010 with a small, one-third barrel brewing system, and brew today in a modern 12,000 square foot barn with a 15-barrel brewhouse.
The brewery has distribution across Missouri and in Arkansas.
Additional information about Piney River Brewing and the 15th Aleiversary can be found at www.pineyriverbrewing.com.
