Root Beer Crafted in the Ozarks
How it started
“I want to brew a beer.”
Andy Durham wanted to brew something. After all, when Joleen and Brian Durham started Piney River Brewing Company in 2010, Andy was right there, sitting on empty kegs and reading books after school. He helped pack boxes on evening canning runs and chatted with patrons about “brewery life” on weekends.
To encourage Andy’s interest in the family business, his folks determined root beer was the brewing path Andy should pursue. It was also the most legal path for an elementary school student.
At first, Andy’s Root Beer was made five gallons at a time and served by the pint at the BARn, the Piney River Brewing tasting room in Bucyrus. But as more kids and adults tried Andy’s Root Beer, a keg would only last a weekend and there were requests for the brew at events.
A boy with a plan
“We need to get this root beer in cans.”
Joleen and Brian wanted Andy to understand the business aspects of making large-scale batches of root beer and potentially canning it. They sent Andy away to a “How to Start a Business” summer camp at the age of 12, which culminated with a business pitch in front of judges.
Wouldn’t you know it? Twelve-year-old Andy was the junior student champion and second runner-up to a senior in high school! His business plan? Andy’s Root Beer in a can.
A label was designed noting the brew was “100% Andy approved” and made with Ozark well water and pure cane sugar. And of course it needed Andy’s smiling face on the front.
Andy helped brew and can the first batch in the spring of 2018. Later that summer, Andy’s Root Beer won silver for non-alcoholic root beer at the US Open Beer Championship. In July 2024, it won gold in the non-alcoholic root beer/kids category.
Brewing for a cause
“It’s time to grow up.”
In high school, Andy decided he needed to “grow up” a little on his can label. The new cans feature not-so-little Andy and his dream car, a classic Dodge.
After covering his expenses, Andy has used his “root beer money” to buy his first piano, a keyboard for high school band, and his car.
Proceeds from Andy’s Root Beer helped fund the Houston Scholar Bowl Team for three State Quiz Bowl appearances and one championship; the Houston High School Beta Club for state and national conventions; and the Houston Tiger Pride Band. To this day Andy is still proud to donate root beer to sponsor events and help good causes around the Ozarks.
Andy is currently a student at Stanford University where he intends to major in physics. He is a member of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band, and he participates with Stanford’s Native American Cultural Center, the Stanford Quiz Bowl team, and the Rural Club.