Last edited 12:54 p.m., Jan. 8, 2013It's been a long road for the business partners behind Leaky Roof Meadery, but customers got a taste of the Buffalo-based company's honey-based alcoholic beverages for the first time last week.
In late 2012, Todd Rock, Andrew Steiger and Jhett Collins were laid off from Hellbender Meadery in Rogersville before the venture got fully underway, when their employers at the startup were charged with synthetic drug distribution one week before production was set to begin. After charges came down against Hellbender's owners, Rock, Steiger and Collins set out on their own, forming Leaky Roof Meadery in 2013 on an acre in Buffalo owned by Rock's parents. However, the business partners' efforts were
slowed by the partial federal government shutdown in October, when Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau officials were furloughed. Leaky Roof was days away from receiving its federal license when the government shut down. Another piece of the puzzle came in August, when Rock ran a successful crowdfunding campaign for $25,000 on
Kickstarter.com.
While federal manufacturing licensing was secured in late October, it took until last week for state liquor licenses to be secured, Rock said.
Leaky Roof opened its taproom on Jan. 3 in Buffalo, 1306 S. Azalea St.
"The place was packed and hopping all night," Rock said, noting live music accompanied the debut.
Rock said Leaky Roof plans to launch its products for retail consumption in the Springfield-area market by spring. Within the next couple weeks, he expects a limited release to hit bars in the area.
For now, Rock said the 80-square-foot taproom - with up to 150 square feet available for standing room - has nine meads on tap, including ginger, apple, mixed berry and a pumpkin pie fall seasonal.[[In-content Ad]]
