USA, OH: Rockmill Brewery is for sale

Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster is for sale, The Columbus Dispatch reported on July 7.

A "coming soon" listing of the brewery's 23-acre property at 5705 Lithopolis Rd. NW sets the asking price at $6.75 million for all of the brewery's buildings, equipment, brand and business assets.

Rockmill Brewery owner Matthew Barbee said he decided to sell for a variety of reasons, including supply chain issues, and rising material and labor costs.

Rockmill expanded its production and added a tasting room to the property in 2019, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic. The last few years have been a "rough time" for the brewery, said Barbee. Rockmill ceased food operations at its brewery and closed its Brewery District restaurant in April.

"We're just not in a position to withstand any more kind of storms," he said.

Barbee, who started Rockmill on a 19th-century horse farm in 2010, said he's put a "lot of blood, sweat and tears" into growing the business. The brewery, which specializes in Belgian-style ales, overlooks the headwaters of the Hocking River.

"We've had a lot of obstacles that we've overcome successfully," said Barbee. "But...there's certain challenges that I think are more easily managed with a large organization that's better capitalized and has a larger management structure."

Barbee said he is focused on a successful transition and plans to take some time to decide what's next for him. The brewery will continue operations through the transition to a new owner, including its summer concert series and wedding events.

07 July, 2022