06/24/2026
Well yall. If ya wanted it i hope you bid on it. The fat lady has sung loud and clear and we are relieved. Some stuff went for a good price some not so much. But thats how it goes.
We did our best. We were stifled from every angle from the very start.
Sh*tty distributors, s**tty landlords, s**tty covid, s**tty govt loans to recover from covid( never to recover) f**k the govt.
Sh*tty sawed off p.o.s landlord with a s**tty lipstick on a pig resort. Sh*tty sewage system that we were forced to fix with the s**tty covid loan money because said s**tty landlord never gave us the props or support that we deserved.
Really, we propped the resort up not once but thrice.1. We ran our brewpub while coolfont was being rebuilt the first time.2. We propped up coolfont during covid and 3 stayed open this whole last year while the rebuild has taken place.( fastest fire investigation in history). If it burns down again. Bring marshmallows.Crafty old bastard isnt he? Never did what was promised us in our lease so we might compete with the larger, better funded breweries.
For the first 2 yrs. Forced us to pump our sewage system every 2 weeks and then sba money paid to fix it and bypass the septic tanks. Not his dime but ours. Just so we could stay in business.
I pray it never sells. Over the years the landlord has brought many people over to " see" the brewery, but never just stopped for lunch....hmm.
We were the 11th brewery in the state. We pioneered beer tourism in Berkeley Springs. We were the drivers for alcohol code change in beer production and sales throughout West Virginia. ( Thank you Senator Trump.)
WE STARTED THE BEER GARDEN AT THE APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL!!! We taught the chamber of commerce how to go about including beer as well as wine in the Apple Butter Festival, WV.
We proposed a production brewery at the industrial park but the town wouldnt get behind it because it cost to much money to run electric to the site we wanted. Guess who sits on that board.
Over the years we had incredible travelling musicians playing their own origional music. Some of the best memories really.
We had awesome customers. Beer geeks from all over the world sought us out. And for a short time, about 6yrs we had the best BBQ in this area. Then the cook got sick. But damb that brisket was fire.
Cant say enough about our customers. Thank you for coming back again and again. We are proud to have served you!!
At times we had the best staff and at other times they were the worst. Not much a restaraunt owner can do by themselves. Staff need to care for any place to be successful. Allways said dont hire a big chef with high ideas and give them a blank check. Hire a mom that has 8 kids and knows how to cook. She was the best. and the last kitchen crew top notch. All others couldnt manage, couldnt discipline or downright just couldnt cook. Reviews showed it. And to our customers we are sorry. We tried. There is only so much we could do.
You brewers/owners. Be very careful who you hire to be your "SALES" force. A narcissist will garner up sales and contacts. Then claim them as his own. And then grow the most rediculous beard. I mean come on. Look at me ,look at me,,,, what a s**t show.
NEVER SIGN A DISTRIBUTOR!!!. Do it all yourself and steal their taps... then sell them back.
Front of house staff was spotty at best. But early on we had the cream of the crop. Danielle Hovermale , Vivian Arredondo ,,,Ethan Ballenger.Also Amanda Miller a]nd Claire Gayda Were the absolute best we ever had . At times i wished cloning was legal. Never to forget Ryne Gade or Lucas Pinyan . Both excellent brewers who stopped here along their way. Thank you both.
We tried ya,ll. 85%of our beers were top notch and true to style. But sadly there were some that went WAY off the mark.
Closing this chapter allows us to live life again. Be with our grandkid and work on a retirement. We are just too old for this s**t anymore.
Not worry about who wont show up for their shift.
We urge you to chase their dream. Even if you may fail.
Most never will. Just wish they did.
Lots of love to you all. We will see you again some day.
