Tin roofs are rustic and real, emblematic of red barns, rural farmlands, and a relaxed way of life. They remind Tin Roof Brewing Co. founders Charles Caldwell, 32, and William McGehee, 34, of Natchez, the river town they grew up in, as well as Baton Rouge, the river town they now call home. “It’s very southern,” says Rivers Hughey, who handles marketing and special events for the small startup company, of the name.

Tin Roof will be pouring at Alexander’s on Thursday, May 19, 2016, 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. to celebrate American Craft Beer Week, with special purchase offers and giveaways. To help celebrate, Alexander’s took a look at how this local brewery got its start.

Charles studied banking and William was pre-law when the two were Ole Miss Rebels. But while William came to LSU for law school after college, Charles went west to work as a ranch hand in Colorado. There, he discovered microbreweries and fell in love with craft beer. He returned to his hometown to work at banking for a while, but couldn’t let go of his newfound interest in microbreweries. Neither Natchez nor Baton Rouge, where William was a law student, had local breweries.

William had developed a palate for craft beer during summer school in Europe, so the topic came up during a visit Charlie made to Baton Rouge. The two decided to take a chance on their dream, and since William had put down roots in the Capital City, they took the plunge here and brewed their first batch for commercial consumption in 2010.

About that time, the father-son team of Tom and Alex Daigrepont joined Tin Roof as brew masters. Today, the 5-year-old company now boasts 5 flagship beers – Juke Joint IPA, Turnrow Coriander Ale, Tin Roof Blonde Ale, Perfect Tin, and Voodoo Bengal Pale Ale – as well as 4 seasonal brews. During fall Tin Roof releases Gameday IPA, followed by Parade Ground Coffee Porter in winter, Yonder Hefe in spring, and Watermelon Wheat in summer.

Tin Roof has experienced rapid growth, and last fall the company opened a larger brewery and taproom in a warehouse off Nicholson Drive about a mile from downtown Baton Rouge. The company is a part of the Louisiana Brewery Trail that debuted in 2013, drawing craft beer lovers to visit the state. Free tours begin at 6 p.m. on Fridays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

For a peak inside Tin Roof operations: