Aug 07

Weathered Ground Brewery breaks ground in Cool Ridge

By Jordan Nelson – Register-Herald Reporter – Aug 6, 2017

A good omen for groundbreaking day.

Weathered Ground Brewery, located on a high-country 30-acre farm in Cool Ridge, has been a brewery-in-planning for two years. Saturday, it officially opened its doors, offering that distinct craft beer taste to anticipating locals. A joint effort between husband and wife, Sam and Aryn Fonda decided they wanted to move back near Aryn’s childhood home of Daniels, and search for the craft beer business opportunity. “We had been living in Charlotte, N.C., for the past six years,” Aryn Fonda said. “We wanted to move back to where I grew up, and after having our daughter, Willa, we finally did so.”

Aryn said she and her husband found a farm in Cool Ridge, and decided not only to open up a brewery, but to live on the property as well. “Growing up here, I have a special connection with this place, and we wanted to bring something to southern West Virginia that we thought many people would love.” Aryn’s husband Sam worked at two breweries in Charlotte in the past, so they were able to transfer their knowledge of the subject into their own business. “We wanted to do our own thing, and this is something we have always been interested in,” she said. “We have wanted to grow organically for a number of years and use those items for our brews.”

With Winterplace Ski Resort just up the road from the brewery, both Sam and Aryn hope during the winter season Weathered Ground will be an attraction to tourists. “There are so many outdoor opportunities out within this area,” she said. “We are hoping to expand that even more with our brewery to not only locals, but to the people that come and visit the state.”

(Brad Davis/The Register-Herald) Patrons hang out in the main pub area during the grand opening celebration for the Weathered Ground Brewery Saturday afternoon in Cool Ridge.

Carter Lewis, of Charlotte, N.C., drove to Cool Ridge for the brewery opening. He said he did not want to miss out on the event. “I’ve heard that the brew master, one of the owners, is actually from Charlotte as well, so it’s really something to learn that he’s bringing his knowledge here,” Lewis said. “I think this will do something great for this small community,” he said, while sipping one of the many brews available at the facility. “So far, every one of the beers taste really good.”

Sam Fonda said the brewery plans to hire only local employees. “We want to provide opportunities for people around here, and we don’t want to stray away from that.” Sam said the idea for the name Weathered Ground came to him and Aryn once they learned of the history of the land. “A lot of animals were raised out here, and a couple of generations of families lived out here as well,” he said. “We believe the property is weathered by people and nature, and it was a name that stuck and had meaning.” Sam explained his nervousness about opening something new in the area, and said sometimes the anxiety sets in. “We have a few panic attacks every now and again,” he said with a laugh. “But we are confident in the beer we make, and we are confident in the type of people we are. All we really want to do is bring something cool to the area, and we really hope it works out.”

Within a barn-like building, the dining area of Weathered Ground houses spacious seating, high ceilings and a full-size bar on the back wall, offering several brews, coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages. During the grand opening Saturday, local musical favorite The Kind Thieves, along with Vessel, a band based out of Louisville, Ky., performed to customers outdoors at the back fields of the brewery, where picnic tables are placed all around. Customers were able to enjoy a cold brew indoors, or take their brew outdoors to enjoy music and company.

Aryn said she and her husband found a farm in Cool Ridge, and decided not only to open up a brewery, but to live on the property as well.

Christina Wright, of Oak Hill, said she had heard some buzzing about the new brewery and wanted to come check it out for herself. “I’m highly impressed,” Wright said. “There’s breweries in the Fayetteville and Lewisburg area, but they’re all usually closed off to the public, nothing like this.” Wright said she thinks Weathered Grounds will be a big plus to not just the Cool Ridge area, but throughout the state as a whole. “I really enjoy these types of venues, and I will definitely continue to come back.”

Aryn said since they have just opened, their food menu will be based on simple, more snack-related items. “We have some really good snacks people will want to try out, though,” she said. “We’re going to have chicken salad sliders, pepperoni rolls, just a lot of finger foods.” She said if the brewery progresses and expands as she and Sam hope, they will expand their menu with more lunch and dinner items.

For now, hours for Weathered Ground are Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. Aryn said those hours might expand as more staff becomes available. “We’re just really excited to finally be open, and we hope it’s a big hit.”

Links: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Video

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Jan 01

This is a duplicate of the listing on the fonda.org website.

  1. Albert Dow Fonda; Dairy Farmer; Cornell University Agriculture College graduate 1917; born 9-Mar-1893 in Fonda, N.Y., died 19-Jan-1962 in Fonda, N.Y.; enlisted in U.S. Marines right after college graduation, assigned to Key West flight training school, WWI ended prior to completion; worked in New Jersey Creamery until logging accident partially disabled his father, thereupon returned home to help on the farm; continued with successful farming career, taking after his father who had farm machinery dealership and owned one of the first steam tractors in the area; believed strongly in education, sending his children to (better) neighboring Johnstown schools and supporting them all in college educations; later helped foster the Fonda-Fultonville Centralized School, crusading against local rivalries; see Stories for more…
  2. Charles Henry Fonda; Cotton Planter; born Aug-16-1904, died Feb-9-1979 at 74 years of age; b. Memphis, Shelby Co., TN; 1930 Census, Tennessee, Shelby, Memphis, District 53; d. San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas; bur. Tunica, Mississippi; res. Deerlake Plantation, in both Tennessee and Arkansas; graduate of Washington & Lee University.
  3. Clinton Jesse Fonda; Dairy Farmer; born 14-Oct-1861; b. Watervliet, Albany, New York; 1870 United States Census, Watervliet, Albany, New York; 1880 United States Census, Watervliet, Albany, New York; 1930 Census, New York, Albany, Colonie, District 126; lived on old family homestead near Crescent, New York.
  4. Douw Henry Fonda; Dairy Farmer; born 21-Jul-1809, died 11-Nov-1895 at 86 years of age; b. Caughnawaga (now Fonda), Montgomery, New York; Douw Henry and Henry Douw were twins; 1850 U.S. Census, New York, Montgomery, Mohawk; 1880 United States Census, Mohawk, Montgomery, New York; Douw Henry Fonda (1809-95) owned 233 acres; he m. Ann Veeder, (1810-90) d. of Albert, son of Col. Abraham Veeder.
  5. Douw Jellis Fonda; Dairy Farmer; see www.rootsweb.com; born 22-Aug-1700, died 22-May-1780 at 79 years of age; b. Schenectady, New York; bur. Old Caughnawaga Cemetery, Fonda, New York; moved from Schenectady, New York to Caughnawaga (now Fonda) in 1751. Douw was killed by Sir Wm. Johnson’s Indians on 22 May 1780. His house was plundered & burned, sons John & Adam were made prisoners and taken to Canada. His will was dated 16-Dec-1779, proved 13-Dec-1791. the Village of Fonda, New York was named for him; DAR Patriot Index Centennial Edition; see Stories for more…
  6. Evert Yates Fonda; Farmer; born 1824, died 1-Mar-1870 at 46 years of age; b. Fulton, Montgomery Co., New York; d. Shopiere, Rock Co., WI; migrated from New York to Wisconsin in the late 1850’s. Evert was a prosperous farmer in the Shopiere, Wisconsin area. The road south from Hodson’s mill was called “the Evert Y. Fonda road” (from “the Centennial History of the Town of Turtle, 1836-1936” by Annie McLenegan). Evert died young due to diabetes.
  7. Jesse Abraham Fonda; Farmer, School Trustee, Overseer of Highways; born 14-Jan-1834, died 16-Dec-1891 at 57 years of age; b. and d. Watervliet, New York; bp. Boght-Becker Dutch Reformed Church, Colonie, Albany, New York; 1870 United States Census, Watervliet, Albany, New York; 1880 United States Census, Watervliet, Albany, New York; 1870 United States Census, Watervliet, Albany, New York.
  8. Johannes Peter Fonda; Farmer, Landowner; Captain in Revolutionary War Militia; born 12-Oct-1735; b. Albany, New York; the Fondas lived on what was called the “Flatts,” a district along the Poestenkill Creek on the east border of Troy, near the bridge crossing the creek and leading to Albany. they owned a large estate in this vicinity, over 500 acres, it is said. Where the present pond is formed by a mill dam connecting with a collar shop, was an orchard, and the house was near the present bridge. this family was one of the first settlers of Hoosick Falls, Albany Co., New York; DAR Patriot Index Centennial Edition
  9. Martin Jacob Fonda; Farmer, Civil War Soldier; born 1819, died Mar-1864 at 45 years of age; b. New York; 1850 U.S. Census, New York, Rensselaer, Troy Ward 5; Military Record: Residence: New Chester, Wisconsin; Enlisted as a Private on 06 February 1864; Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin; Died of disease Company E, 7th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 26 March 1864 in Baltimore, Maryland.
  10. Peter John Fonda; Farmer, Boatman; born 3-Jan-1778, died 14-Nov-1848 at 70 years of age; b. Caughnawaga (now Fonda), Montgomery, New York; d. Fultonville, New York; bur. Old Cemetery, Fultonville; In 1783, the Consistory met at the parsonage with Dominie Romeyn to listen to the petition of those who resided on the south side of the river to establish a free ferry to the church (DRC of Fonda). It was agreed that wood be delivered by the congregation on both sides of the river at the home of John Wemple, who consented to keep and run for the congregation, Sundays and other church days, a ferry, for those who attended church. John Fonda agreed to allow a road over his lands to the ferry. this ferry was in operation as late as 1825, when it was conducted by Peter Fonda.
  11. Robert Mitchell Fonda; Dairy Farmer; born 15-Aug-1824, died Aug-10-1913 at 88 years of age; b. Montgomery, Fulton County, N.Y.; 1860 Census in Clayton Co., Iowa; 1880 Census, Monona, Clayton, Iowa; d. Monona, Clayton, Iowa; R. Mitchell Fonda, farmer and dairyman, Monona Township, and one of the enterprising citizens of Clayton County, Iowa was born in Montgomery, now Fulton County, New York In 1855 Mr. Fonda left his home in New York with his family and emigrated to Clayton County, locating in Giard Township, one mile east of Monona, where he remained until 1864, when he purchased his present farm of 256 acres. History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, Monona Township, p. 1040-1041.
  12. Stephen Sammons Fonda; Farmer, Oil Dealer, Town Sheriff, Lumberman, Civil War Soldier; Hop Grower and Farmer on leases of Douw A. Fonda, Sheriff of Fonda, New York; born 23-Apr-1832, died Jan-15-1917 at 84 years of age; b. Reformed Protestant Dutch Church Of Caughnawaga, Fonda, Montgomery, New York; 1850 U.S. Census, New York, Montgomery, Mohawk; Co. A, 99 N. Y. Infantry, Private, 132 N. Y. V., Union; 1880 United States Census, District 2, Mohawk, Montgomery, New York; 1900 United States Census, Fort Plain, Montgomery Co. , New York; d. Fort Plain, New York.

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