Random Row Brewing - Sharing the Love (of Craft Beer)

I have veered off the winery trail for my latest Ramble, and what a wonderful wander it was.  If you have read some of my earlier posts, you will have heard me state that I am more of a whiskey and beer guy.  It is not that I do not enjoy or drink wine, because I do, but good beer is one of life’s little pleasures and I thoroughly relish tasting well done brews.  Well, for this post I grabbed the wheel and piloted my way back into the comfort zone of craft beer.  I reached out to, and was granted audience with, the grand poohbah of Random Row Brewing Company, Mr. Kevin McElroy.  He is the Head Brewer, Co-Founder, resident Liverpool F.C. fanatic, and all around pretty awesome guy living my, and a lot of other guy’s, dream.  I invite you to join me on a stroll down the Random Row.

 

A Cardiac What?

A Cardiac Perfusionist.  That was what Kevin told me his occupation was at the UVA Health System prior to starting the Random Row Brewing Company.  For those who don’t know (like me) a Cardiac Perfusionist is responsible for “operating extracorporeal circulation equipment during open-heart surgery,” according to the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.  So, my newest bartender is the guy making sure patients stay alive during surgeries by running the machines that keep blood and other much needed bodily functions flowing while doctors wield sharp objects around our comatose forms.  You may notice my use of the word “is” and it was intentional.  Because, while Kevin is plenty busy operating a brewery and tending the bar he is still working part-time as a Cardiac Perfusionist at UVA because he loves doing it so much. 

It is this passion that I believe is leading Kevin and Random Row to become one of the premier breweries in Charlottesville in such a short time.  They only opened the Tap Room in September of 2016, yet they have grown an impressive following in that span.  It seems that Kevin has a passion for quite a few things – his family, caring for others, giving back to the community, charity, football (soccer, not American football) and, of course, beer. But, I am getting a bit ahead of myself.  Let’s take a small step back and take a look at the events that lead to the birth of Random Row.

 

Birth of a Brewer

Kevin and his wife moved to Charlottesville around 10 years ago.  They had been attending school in Philadelphia prior to the move, but an opportunity at UVA Health brought them to the area.  Not long after the move, Kevin started dabbling in the hobby of homebrewing.  Charlottesville has a large and diverse community of homebrewers, and Kevin found himself becoming more immersed in the pastime.  Check out Fifth Season on Preston Avenue if you want to get a good start yourself.  They are a great resource for anyone who wants to begin brewing and you will find plenty of like-minded souls around, just as Kevin did.  It was not long after he started experimenting with recipes that he discovered that his next-door neighbor was also brewing his own beer.  Then, an anesthesiologist at UVA hospital mentioned he was interested in homebrewing as well.  This colleague would go on to become one of Kevin’s business partners at Random Row.  These connections helped grow his knowledge of brewing as well as his passion.

He moved on to all-grain brewing in place of malt extract brewing.  Using all-grain brewing allows for greater creative control over the final product in color, aroma, flavor, and all the other good things that we love about beer.  Coming from a science background, this transition was comfortable for Kevin.  He remarked during our conversation that the equipment used for brewing is not all that different from the equipment he uses to sustain life.  Kevin’s very first original recipe that he brewed was his attempt at recreating Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA.  I can tell you from experience that trying to match a recipe, whether it is for a beer, a cake, or any other dish, without having said recipe is darn near impossible.  The end result is going to definitely be different from the original, and, more often than not, probably disappointing.  While Kevin’s 60 Minute IPA might not have been spot on, all agreed that it was far from disappointing.  The brewer was born.

 

The Kids Are Alright

It was a brisk December morning that Kevin had set aside for his latest homebrew, but this new batch would have to wait.  His first child, a daughter, decided that she was no longer willing to wait for her scheduled arrival date.  Off to the hospital they rushed, the grains and equipment lay forgotten (as they should be on such an auspicious occasion) and young Keagan was born. 

This day in December became a fateful day for Kevin.  Not only was Kevin’s first child born that 29^th of December, and we know how having a child can change one’s life dramatically, but the beer that he intended to brew that day was destined for bigger and better things as well.  After coming home from the hospital, sandwiched between the constant feedings, diaper changes, and much needed, but far too infrequent, naps, Kevin finally found time to return to that abandoned brew. 

It was an Imperial Stout and the end product was quite impressive.  So impressive, in fact, that Kevin decided to enter it in to the Dominion Cup, a competition for homebrewers in Virginia.  Out of 500 entries, Kevin’s Imperial Stout won the Gold Medal in its category and second place for Best of Show.  A Silver and a Gold Medal the first time out?  Not too shabby Kevin.  And, the name of that beer?  Keagan.

That is where it all started.  That was the moment when Kevin fully realized that this could become more than a hobby that he loved.  It could become a business that he loved.  Kevin reached out to the friend of a friend to get help with starting his own brewery.  Together, they formulated a business plan and pitched it to 20 other friends to raise capital for the venture, of course providing the prospective investors with samples of the product.  It worked.  Within a week, Random Row Brewing was funded and ready to kick-off.  What started with “Keagan” has grown along with Kevin’s family.  There are now “Jameson” and “Cal,” both sons and brews.  The Jameson is the Keagan Imperial Stout that has been aged in bourbon barrels.  The Cal is also the Keagan aged in barrels, but infused with Vanilla Beans, and it is nothing less than delicious.  Unfortunately.  I did not get to try the Keagan or the Jameson as they were out at the time of my visit, and the Cal ran out on my pour.  I am greatly looking forward to December 29^th when the Keagan gets released again in honor of her birthday.

Note to Self:  Serve alcohol at any future sales meeting

GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLL

Huh?  Goooooooaaaaaaaaallllll?  Did I really go there?  Yes, but with good reason.  I will get to football in just a moment, but I used this here to highlight the fact that Random Row is a bit different from most other breweries or taphouses.  The first difference that you will notice is that there is no separation between the two.  The brewery and the taphouse are one in the same and there is no wall dividing them.  You can enjoy a pint while watching the brewer preparing a batch of grains for the next run.  I am a fan of homebrewing myself and I think it is fascinating to be able to see the process while enjoying the product.  And, if you have any questions about what you are seeing behind the scenes, they are more than happy to take the time to educate you about that delicious beer you are sipping.

Another difference you will see is something that you can’t see.  It is their conviction that a strong community helps all businesses.  They believe in “Local,” not just as an axiom that sounds good, but as a core belief and value of how they should operate.  Buying from local vendors, supporting other local businesses, and helping others whenever they can is rooted in their core.  To date, this small craft brewery has donated almost $50,000 to local non-profits.  And, its not just the Charlottesville community that is benefiting from their beliefs.  They do good all over.  Kevin was telling me that Random Row has been involved in the Black is Beautiful Effort.  It is a beer collaboration started by Weather Souls Brewing Company in Texas.  Weathered Souls is providing the recipe all breweries who would like to participate.  They just ask that you donate 100% of the proceeds from all sales of Black is Beautiful to help organizations that fight the injustices that people of color face daily.  To find out more go to blackisbeautiful.beer and see how you as a brewer or a beer drinker can help.

Lastly, there is the Liverpool Football Club.  Not many bars in Charlottesville are self-proclaimed football fanatics, none that I know of, but Random Row differentiates itself here as well.  I know when I say football you don’t think of soccer or American football, and you probably think I should just say soccer.  Well, I’m of the mind that football came first, American football stole the name, and only one of those two use feet 98% of the time.  So, while I normally do use the Americanized name, I’m going to attempt to do justice to the sport, and Random Row, by calling it football.  But, I digress.  The point is that Kevin is a huge Liverpool Football Club fan, and it shows.  You can see the red, green, and gold, and they are everywhere.  Kevin stated to me that they are open for every – EVERY – Liverpool match, even those at 7 AM here, and he is usually the one behind the bar.  Do not worry though.  All hooligans are welcome, not just Liverpool fans.

 

Visit The Row

Now, dear readers, we come to my favorite part.  This is where I get to tell you how, when, where, and what about Random Row.  First things first, they are located at 608 Preston Avenue in Charlottesville, right next to the Reid Super Market and Moxie Hair Salon.  It may not look like it, but there is plenty of parking there.  You can find them online at randomrow.com as well as on Facebook and Instagram @randomrowbrewing, and on Twitter @randomrowbeer.  They are open 7 days a Week, but it varies so check online to see the times as well as their specials – like the the Monday Run Club $2 beers.  Members get the discount for running 5k loop around Downtown Charlottesville.  I do not run unless being chase, so I’ll be paying full price.  Maybe even a bit more to ensure that I won’t have to.

Right now, they have 11 beers on tap, but they rotate and change it up quite a bit.  Like I said, I kicked the Cal keg on my visit and another one won’t come through for months.  Kevin’s favorite is currently the Mosaic Pale Ale, which won a Gold Medal at the Virginia Brewers Cup and a Bronze at the Great American Beer Festival.  I brought home their Red Ale which was quite tasty.  Point being, there is a little something for everyone.

On site, they have some snack food, soft pretzels, and pizzas from Mona Lisa, but it’s a bit of a limited selection.  They do have food trucks that come through, mostly on Fridays right now, but that should last through Christmas.  Good news is that you are in Charlottesville and can probably get food delivered from many local restaurants.  There is a good amount of outside seating, some of it covered, and propane heaters sprinkled around for those looking to get a beer and enjoy the beautiful weather we have been having. 

I’ve come to the end of my notes, and my last Red Ale.  I do hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I did visiting with Kevin and the Team at Random Row.  You will probably enjoy a visit of your own more though.

Until next time, Ramble Virginia!

King Family Vineyards - Polo and The Stranger

 

My latest venture on the Monticello Wine Trail brought me to King Family Vineyards.  I recently sat down for a quick chat with James King of said Family on an uncharacteristically gorgeous fall day and suffered a distinct sense of déjà vu.  It is the first week of November, I can see the Blue Ridge Mountains rising over the field in the distance, Virginia’s fall firework spectacular is running its final performance, and I find myself regretting my decision to wear pants instead of shorts because it is almost 80 degrees outside while I listen to the story of a winery that did not set out to be one.  You see, for first timers here at Ramble Virginia, this is not my first time this fall that I have been able to take in all of the colors of the season, listening to the story of an unintended winery, while lamenting my trousers.  So, without further ado, let’s learn a little bit about King Family Vineyards at Roseland Farm.

Chukkas Are a Thing

There is a pretty good chance that you’ve never heard the word chukka.  I had not come across the term until I started writing this post.  Chukkas are the polo equivalent of quarters in football or innings in baseball, they are how polo matches are broken up.  Depending upon the skill level of the players participating, each match is divided into at least four, but no more than eight, of these seven-minute long periods.  There is also an overtime period of some type at the end of each chukka that can last up to 30 seconds.  I think.  I’m pretty sure some of what I just wrote about polo is correct.  I know that it is played on horseback for sure…probably…maybe.

Look.  I have only done a very small bit of research into this equestrian sport called polo, mostly to figure out what a chukka was since I heard the word bandied about by my host James King, and I admit to knowing basically nothing.  Not just about polo, but I know nothing about so many things.  But, I digress.  I do know that what little I have learned about this lesser-known sport has definitely peaked my interest.

Now, if you are not familiar with King Family Vineyard, and if you’re still reading this, you may very well be wondering why I am talking about chukkas in a blog post about a vineyard.  Well, the simple reason is that without polo, there would be no King Family Vineyard.   

It Was Always About Polo

Prior to coming to Virginia, David and Eileen King were living in Texas with their three boys Carrington, Stuart, and James.  As their sons grew, the King’s decided that they did not want to raise their family in a big metropolis.  They wanted to raise their family in a more rural setting, not Houston where they lived, and settled on returning to Virginia.  Other than leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind, David King had one other essential feature that he was seeking in his new home.  David was an avid fan and player of polo.  He yearned for the family’s homestead to be able to house a proper polo field, meaning that it would need a lot of flat area that could be opened up to play his favorite game.

In 1995, the family found their new home at Roseland Farm.  Crozet was definitely a rural community in the mid-90’s (still pretty much is) and it is plenty far from the larger urban areas of Richmond or Northern Virginia.  There are spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from anywhere on the property.  And, of course, there was ample room for David’s dream, the polo field.  The King’s were in Crozet and Roseland Farm was born.

The Stranger

So, it is 1995 and the King Family owned a large farm in Crozet, but what to do with the property?  A vineyard certainly wasn’t on their minds, at least not yet.  No.  Roseland Farm started off as a proper farm.  They grew corn and alfalfa, raised livestock, and had a nursery on property.  A grand scheme it was not, but a working farm it was.  That was, until 1997 when the region experienced a severe drought in just the King’s second year.  Things were not looking good for Roseland Farm, but luck was on their side.

One evening following that rough drought, as the family was preparing for their evening meal, they heard a knock upon their door.  When David opened it, he found a young man at the entrance whom he had never met before.  This stranger, named Tom Vanderberg, had been traveling in the area near the farm and decided to call upon the family to make them an odd, if not crazy, offer.  You see, this visitor was a recent graduate of Virginia Tech in the little known field of viticulture.  After explaining just what viticulture meant, he informed the King’s that he was on his own search for a little piece of perfect property, just as they had been some two years prior.  Apparently, he told the family, the land that they had purchased with dreams of a working farm and polo field, also had outstanding soil and conditions for growing grapes.  His proposal was a lease of land.  He wished to pay them for the ability to grow 10 acres of grapes on Roseland Farm. 

With the recent drought and tough conditions this added revenue would certainly be of help to the family.  The family was intrigued, but, after careful consideration, they decided against allowing this strange young man lease their property.  It was not that they did not think that it was a good idea to grow grapes at the farm, but that they thought it was quite a good idea – maybe so good that they should do it themselves.  Late that very year, in 1998, King Family Vineyards was established and the family was in business.

Keeping Their Balance

Very quickly, the vineyard was off and running.  They started small(ish).  Chris Hill, a well-known and respected horticulturist, was brought in to see to the growing of the grapes and still consults to this day.  Coincidentally, Chris is an alumnus of Virginia Tech, the same school the stranger had recently graduated from.  Initially, the family was going to grow the grapes and sell them to other wineries in the area, as quite a few smaller farms did and still do.  But that plan fell to the wayside when they only decided to sell about half of the harvest from 2000 and bring the other half up to their friends at Afton Mountain Vineyards to produce the wine.  Celebrated winemaker Michael Shaps was hired that first year and King Family produced 480 cases in 2000.  Then, over a thousand cases in 2001.  Michael Shaps was followed by their current wine maker, Matthieu Finot in 2007, but the winery kept on growing.  By 2013, they were producing over 7,500 cases a year.  Not bad for a crazy idea from a random stranger.

King Family wines have won numerous awards over the years, but the one thing that James and I spoke about impressed me much more than medals or cups.  James said that the trait that he most admires about the wines that his family produce is that they strike a balance with nature.  You need two simple things in order to make great wine – amazing fruit and a skilled winemaker.  But, James believes in a third ingredient which is balance.  The grapes will tell the winemaker what it wants to be.  The winemaker only has to have the skill to listen and the wherewithal to allow the wine to be what it should be.  He believes this is why King Family wines are so well received.

There is also a core belief by the family to keep balance with the land.  Agritourism is a huge buzzword nowadays, but it is an exceptional thing when done right and the Kings do it impressively right.  I could feel the passion and conviction that James had when speaking about balance in the wine, in the business, and in nature that was only matched when he spoke about his father and polo.

Polo and More

Now that you’ve heard a bit about the story of King Family Vineyard’s history, let’s get to the really fun part.  What’s going on now!

King Family is located at 6550 Roseland Farm, Crozet, VA 22932.  You can call them at 434-823-7800, email them at info@kingfamilyvineyards.com, and find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube by searching King Family Vineyards. 

The tasting room is open 7 days a week, from 10:00 AM until 5:30 PM.  You can get tastings up until 5:00 PM, but for that last half hour you can only buy bottles and finish up what you have already brought.  You will have to be safe when you visit though, especially now.  So bring a mask and make sure you have a designated driver.  The busiest times are between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM on Saturdays.

Roseland Farm is really big so there is no worry about finding space outside on those nice days.  There are some under cover areas, with more to come, and there is little limitation on the size of groups that they can accommodate and reservations aren’t strictly needed, but, as always, a bit of common sense goes a long way.  If you have a group of 30 friends and family you want to visit with, make a call or email them to ensure they can give you the experience you, and they, want you to have.

There is no onsite dining, but there are snacks in their little shop to buy and food trucks visit quite frequently.  James’ current favorite is Dumplin’ by local celebrity chef Laura Fonner, you know, winner of Guy’s Grocery Games.

The polo season has ended for the year, but will start back up again on Sundays in the spring.  Keep an eye out because this is probably one of the most awesome freebies you will ever get.  That’s right.  Going out to King Family, enjoying beautiful views, and watching one of the oldest sports in the world on a Sunday afternoon in the Virginia countryside is absolutely free.  They even have a polo club, host traveling teams, and offer lessons.  I’m not sure if I mentioned it earlier, but the King Family really enjoys polo.  Of course, if playing the sport isn’t your speed, they have another equestrian activity for you via Indian Summer Tours.

The wine is the real show here on most days, so you should also try and take advantage of one of the unique tours that they offer.  There are “self-guided” tasting tours that come with a QR code for you to view videos on your phone to go with each wine, guided vineyard and winery tours every Saturday and Sunday at 1 PM and 3 PM, specialty tastings in the Library, and reserve tastings featuring older vintages than what is currently being poured.  James’ current favorites are the Vu Vre and Petit Verdot.  The man knows his wine.  I would listen to him.

There is a little something for everyone at King Family Vineyard, but I want to leave you with a simple piece of advice from James King.  He told me wine is fun.  It is made to be enjoyed and shared.  Take some time with your loved ones, family and friends, and enjoy a glass of wine together.  It will do wonders for your soul.