Today we’d like to introduce you to the Black Fairy team.
Calvin II (Owner) and Terica Groves (Owner) went to a brew meeting (Brew Bayou Club hosted) in Freeport Texas where they met Traci Kuhfuss (Owner). While at the meeting Traci approached Calvin and Terica and asked them if they would like to sample some mead. The mead that she offered to them was orange blossom. At first, they were a little skeptical, having tasted mead before the experience wasn’t very pleasurable. Traci told them that this was homebrew and an award-winning recipe so they took a chance and tried it. Upon sampling it, the first thing that popped into Calvin’s head was unicorns and rainbows. It was truly a magical experience for the couple. Calvin and Terica began to hang out with Traci and experiment with brewing and different types of mead and it was at this time they formed a friendship that would lead to a partnership. Calvin and Terica proposed the idea of starting a business and from there the R&D began. They would experiment for several batches of homebrew before they identified the core flavors they would begin with which were orange blossom, black currant lime, lime, and traditional. When trying to identify a location where they would like to establish their business they choose to plant their roots in West Columbia, Texas. Calvin graduate of Columbia High School would talk to the mayor (his former history teacher) Mayor Kincannon. Mayor Kincannon and West Columbia City Hall were instrumental in helping the trio identify a location and obtain the proper permits required for startup. The community of West Columbia has truly helped Black’s Fairy Meadery get off the ground and they continue to support them through their patronage and volunteerism.
Has it been a smooth road?
Establishing Black’s Fairy Meadery has not been the smoothest journey. Some of our biggest hurdles have been the permits required for production. Many people decide to pay attorneys and consultants to assist with the paperwork needed to run the business. The owners decided to complete most of the permits themselves. The trio’s families and friends have been extremely helpful and supportive through the establishment of their business. Also, understanding the marketing aspect of the business has been a challenge. Black’s Fairy Meadery has a phenomenal product, but it is understanding how to spread the word about our product. Having a great product doesn’t mean a lot if you can’t bring people to your business to try it. We are constantly trying to think of ideas to get our product out there to the public.
Another challenge was to build out of the building. The building we are in now needed some love, but the owner was super supportive and has assisted with whatever changes we have wanted to make to ensure our success. We have spent late nights ripping up carpet, scraping glue off of the floor, painting, and developing the overall layout of the business. Because we are a new business we are constantly in the trial and error phase, but when we start to establish management systems and business starts to run a little smoother, it is an awesome feeling.
Although I started with it hasn’t been the smoothest journey, it sure has been a fun one!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
BLACK’S FAIRY MEADERY, LLC is a flagship meadery established October 2017. The business is in West Columbia, Texas. Historic West Columbia served as the first capital of the Republic of Texas. Black’s Fairy Meadery, LLC specializes in fruity and floral beverages that are a combination of honey, water, and barm. The mixture is fermented and steep with fruit, fruit pulp and sometimes natural flavorings resulting in an 8% -20 % alcohol content. There are five principal varietals, Orange Blossom, Black Current, Black Current Lime, Mango, and Mango Lime.
Our mission at Black’s Fairy Meadery is to produce quality and uniquely flavorful beverages that create an exceptional experience for novice mead drinkers as well as mead connoisseurs. BFM, LLC operates an ethical and environmentally friendly distributorship. We treasure our small town regional brewery that is enhanced by being a part of the City of West Columbia as well as surrounding communities such as Angleton, Brazoria, Freeport, Lake Jackson, and Houston. We strive to use locally sourced goods whenever possible to minimize our carbon footprint and strengthen the local economy. The center of West Columbia Texas is at the intersection of Hwy 35 and Hwy 36 in Brazoria County. The location allows us to easily supply products to the counties of Harris, Brazoria, Matagorda, Waller, Galveston, and Wharton. The business is a Limited Liability Company that will use a competitive pricing strategy that is slightly below the other premium wineries and breweries in the area to attract the younger generation of mead consumers. To generate a profit, we will routinely analyze our costs to assure we are generating a quality product at a competitive price point.
Honestly, what we are most proud of as a company is the friendships we have made and the awesome feeling we get seeing peoples face light up when they try our product.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Our city of West Columbia is AMAZING!!! We love it here! If someone wanted to start a business in West Columbia I would recommend getting plugged in with city hall. They would be my first place to start because they can give you the scoop on what’s going on in the town. They are very kind and always look to help others. Building good relationships with the City and local business will really help you become successful because we are like one big family.
Pricing:
- We do ship and bottles are $15.00. Our best sellers right now are Black Currant Lime, Lime, Orange Blossom, and Traditional.
- We have tastings for $25.00 for tasting with a glass and $20.00 for tasting without a glass
- Shirts are $20.00 and we sell local honey for $7.25 a lb.
Contact Info:
- Address: 325 E. Brazos Ave.
West Columbia, Texas 77486 - Website: www.blacksfairymeadery.com
- Phone: 979-345-6323
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/317052188705417/blacks-fairy-meadery-llc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blacksfairymeadery/
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
