I like to think there is a creative side in most of us. For Ben and Katy Biehl, their creativity speaks through the passion they have in their hobbies. The couple decided when building their house south of Syracuse, Nebraska to create a place that they could each enjoy doing would they love to do. For Ben ever since 2013, he has always enjoyed home brewing so he could now have a brew house. Katy has the love of art in her blood that shows up in the wonderful paintings and pieces she creates. The hobby building became a place to get away from everything and enjoy the serenity while making that next blank canvas come to life.

Talking with Ben, he described growing up in Hastings, Nebraska. After high school, Ben attended college at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln. At this time, not even a thought of becoming a brewer had crossed his mind.

It was in medical school at Creighton University in Omaha where Ben started to try some craft beers at the Crescent Moon. This was a great place to discover local beers like Hopaluia from Spilker Ales in Cortland, Nebraska. Also, many other craft beers including Samuel Adams, New Belgium Brewing, and many styles of German beers gained Ben’s interest. You could say Ben found his Beertopia!

During those medical school years is also when Ben met Katy. I wonder just how long it took for each to discover the others creative passion?

Ben went onto describe making a couple of trips to Ireland. Guinness Brewing and Dingle Brewing Company were the ones that stood out. It was the Lager at Dingle that Ben was fond of. But in his heart, the dry Stout from Guinness is what intrigued him. No wonder his first home brewing kit was a Stout!

Ben continued home brewing with the extract kits but soon found himself wanting to learn more about the malt grains and milling the grains himself. So, Ben searched out a great local place to learn more this.

Patriot Homebrew Supply in Elkhorn, NE is not only a great place to get supplies, but owner Matt Misfeldt is a great resource to learn about any topic concerning homebrewing. Ben took in all the information Matt shared and said goodbye extracts and started milling his own grains!

I had to ask Ben how he grew his knowledge of brewing. He said reading lots of books and brewing went a long way. One of the most valuable things was getting to do a Brew Day with the brewers from Infusion Brewing in Omaha, Nebraska. That day was very beneficial to learn more on brewing techniques and to see the process at a larger scale.

Ben continued to brew and grow his recipe book out. Katy also helped Ben with collaborating on the recipes. Different styles ranging from Blonde Ales to Wheats to Porters. Oh, and even some Gose beers! Brewing was a great hobby to come home to after a long day’s work as a family medicine doctor.

So, what was the turning point from going from just having some beer at home for family and friends to distributing beer? Ben said it was Katy’s cousin Ben Lorenzen who is a Creative Director at Champions Run golf course in Omaha. The golf course wanted to be able to have their own special craft beer made just for them. One of the challenges for Champions Run was having as finding a brewery that had the time to collaborate and that could fit them into their brewing schedule. Ben was open to the collaborating and introduced them to his orange Witbier (wheat beer) that they loved! Three little words “We’ll take it!” sent the wheels in motion to move from homebrewing to commercial brewing!

So many things to do… Well top priority was to get a name. Ben said this came together one day while at the zoo with his son Rocco. They were looking at the penguins and the one particular species was named Rockhopper. With his son being named Rocco it seemed right to take Roc instead of Rock and add on the Hopper. Roc Hopper - what a cool name!

Next was coming up with a logo. Ben reached out to a friend of his and the came up with an image that looked like Ben but added the touch of a having a hop beard. Things were moving along, and papers had to be filed for the brewery. Roc Hopper would soon be the first licensed brewery in Otoe county of Nebraska since prohibition!

What a crazy couple of years from going from new house with a hobby building to having that building be a brewery. One thing that is unique about Roc Hopper is that they are a brewery without a taproom at this time. They are dedicated to distributing beer to the local area to such places as the Happy Raven, 1867, Pour, and Jake’s Cigars & Spirits in Lincoln. In Omaha, they are at Champions Run golf course, the Local Beer Patio and Kitchen, Casual Pint, Crescent Moon, Blatt Beer & Table, and others.

Oh, I bet you are wondering about the beer itself? Here is my take on the few I have tried so far.

• Coconut Blonde

  ABV - 4.8% IBU - 14

  I really like coconut, so when I raised the glass and got the coconut aroma, I was excited for the first taste. I could definitely taste the coconut and it melted into the very soft, malty blonde ale. Very enjoyable!

• Witbier

  ABV - 5.0% IBU - 14

  The orange Witbier is made with Clementine oranges giving it a nice citrus flavor. Coriander is adding giving some tart, lemon notes. A very smooth and sessionable beer!

• Black IPA

  ABV - 6.2% IBU - 28

  I am always intrigued by a Black IPA. The hop aroma quickly tells you it is an IPA, but your eyes are telling you this can’t be true! What I enjoyed about this beer is the citrus notes that were wrapped in a wonderful roastiness that stayed throughout the beer!

• Cherry Gose

  ABV - 5.0% IBU - 9

  Tart cherry flavor is true throughout this Gose. For me this is nice and tart not sour. The saltiness with the cherry is a great combination! I love the cherry wood tap handle. Also, what is cool about this one, is the cherries come from the farm that Katy grew up on which is close to Ben and Katy’s current house.

It was such a great time getting to visit with Ben and find out more about Roc Hopper Brewing Company. It is great to see that since May of this year, that over 40 barrels of beer have made it out to local area bars and restaurants. I know Ben would even like to get more of his beer out in his hometown of Syracuse and other towns in Otoe county.

I can see a future for Ben and Katy enjoying art shows of Katy’s paintings and Roc Hopper beer being served to a packed house where people are completely enjoying themselves discussing the incredible pieces and wonderful beers they are drinking. Glasses are raised for toasts throughout the evening and as people leave, they look forward to the next showing.

You can follow Roc Hopper Brewing Company on Facebook to keep up with where you can find their beer being served. You might also want to get yourself one of their cool hats or t-shirts!

I look forward myself to seeking out their great brews and wish Roc Hopper many years of success.

Cheers!