Piney River releases Mexican Villa beer

Texas County’s Piney River Brewing Co. has partnered with Mexican Villa to release a beer for the Springfield restaurant chain.

Following a limited release for the company’s 65th anniversary party last year, Flying Ace Lager will be available May 5 in all Mexican Villa restaurants that serve alcohol, followed by a June launch at southwest Missouri retail stores, according to a PineyRiverBrewing.com blog post.

Mexican Villa owner Garin Ferguson asked Piney River owner Brian Durham last year to develop a Mexican lager.

“In southwest Missouri, Mexican Villa is an institution, and the Mexican Villa name resonates with people in that area,” the blog post reads. “We are thrilled that Piney River is now part of the Ferguson family story.”

Flying Ace is the Bucyrus-based brewer’s first lager and adds to its canned beers that include Float Trip Ale, Black Walnut Wheat and Missouri Mule IPA. The company’s second lager, dubbed River Access Ozarks Lager, also is scheduled for release next week, according to the blog post.

According to the company’s website, Piney River in 2015 produced over 2,200 barrels of beer.