In the heart of Hamilton, Brian Burgess, founder of Rock and Union Spirits, is crafting a unique narrative by transforming his family’s Rockton farm into a full-fledged distillery.
Hamilton, a hub for over 120 food and beverage manufacturers and a critical player in the grain export and baking industry is a fitting backdrop for this venture. With over 9,500 skilled workers across the agri-business and food processing supply chain, the city offers a robust ecosystem for food and beverage producers.
The idea for Rock and Union Spirits sprouted from a desire to repurpose the farm after the chicken quota was sold. Drawing inspiration from Hamilton’s gritty, hardworking nature and his love for rock ‘n’ roll, Burgess envisioned a distillery that pays homage to these values while tapping into the region’s agricultural roots.
Burgess told Rick Zamperin, host of 900 CHML’s Good Morning Hamilton, that he plans to grow grains on the farm, mill them, and distill them on-site, offering a unique level of transparency to the spirits industry.
The distillery’s eye-catching flask-shaped bottles, featuring a crowd image visible through the liquid, are designed to stand out on store shelves, much like the brand itself in the crowded spirits market.
Listen to the full interview, beginning at 15:22.