Back Hill Beer Company is set to open in the historic Gonic Mill on Saturday, September 26.

Back Hill Beer Company will offer a unique variety of beer on tap, but will focus on hop-forward styles of beer. The brewery also highlights the building’s industrial features while fostering a warm, inviting space for patrons. In addition to beer, a small menu of snacks will be offered.

“I’ve had a passion for brewing since I was in college,” said Peter LaPlante, Brewer and Owner. “The beer on tap doesn’t travel far to get here. It’s all made in-house and we plan to release a new beer every other week.”

“We want to get people excited about the process,” he said. “It takes about 3 weeks to create a new beer so we’re listening closely to what our patrons want. We’d like to develop beer based on what people want to order.”

The brewery expects to bring several new jobs to the neighborhood and welcome customers from throughout the region. In 2019, Back Hill Beer Company was awarded a $45,000 JOB Loan to support the launch of a local brewery.

The JOB Loan program, a low-interest loan incentive that allows businesses to borrow between $10,000-$75,000, supports local businesses located, expanding, or relocating to the City of Rochester, including East Rochester and Gonic. The loan program is designed to support businesses that will create or retain permanent jobs in the area, with at least 51% of those new employment opportunities to be filled by low and moderate-income persons in the city. The program is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

“There’s a strong sense of community in Rochester,” LaPlante continued. “The City of Rochester has been extremely helpful every step of the way. Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging. We’re really happy to be here.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Back Hill Beer Company to Rochester,” said Jenn Marsh, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Rochester. “This is an exciting step forward for our city’s economic development and will further enhance the opportunities available in Rochester.”

Back Hill Beer Company is located in the Gonic Mill at 73 Pickering Road. Visit www.backhillbeer.com or follow @backhillbeer on Instagram to learn more.