Keeper's Cut Meadery

10/10/2026

**KEEPER’S CUT LOCAL BUSINESS SHOUT-OUT**

This month we’re shining the spotlight on **West Court Food Center Inc.**, a Marion business that has been serving our community since 1966.

West Court Food Center is the kind of place that reminds you what shopping local is all about. It’s not a big-box grocery store. It’s a neighborhood market where personal service still matters, and where the meat counter has earned a loyal following over the years.

They’re especially well known for quality meats, custom cuts and their house-made sausage — the kind of things that keep generations of local customers coming back.

Businesses like West Court Food Center are part of what gives Marion its character. They’ve been here through decades of change, serving local families and continuing a tradition that’s becoming harder to find.

If you haven’t stopped in for a while, pay them a visit at **399 West Court Street in Marion**.

From all of us at **Keeper's Cut Meadery**, thank you to West Court Food Center for being part of the McDowell County community for all these years.

**Support local. Shop local. Keep Marion strong.**

09/03/2026

🧀 **LOCAL BUSINESS SHOUT-OUT — Three Sisters Cheese $ Provisions **

Some local businesses have an especially good story behind them, and Three Sisters Cheese & Provisions is one of those.

A lot of people around McDowell County knew English Farmstead Cheese and the cheeses Susan English and her family produced for years in North Cove.

When Susan decided to retire from cheese-making, that could easily have been the end of something pretty special to our area.

Instead, the family behind McDowell Local took on the challenge of keeping that tradition going.

They closed the restaurant, learned the cheese-making business and started Three Sisters Cheese & Provisions— named after their three daughters.

Today they’re continuing to make many of the cheeses people already knew from English Farmstead, including Buttercup, Ashford Cheddar, Apple Blossom Gouda, cheese curds and their Fromage Blanc spreads.

We like seeing businesses succeed, but we especially like seeing a local tradition preserved instead of disappearing.

If you enjoy locally made food and haven’t tried Three Sisters Cheese yet, they’re definitely worth checking out.

Another good thing being made right here in McDowell County.

**Keeper’s Cut Meadery**
*Local supporting local.*

08/07/2026

💪 **KEEPER’S CUT COMMUNITY SHOUT-OUT: McDowell Fitness Center**

This week we’d like to give a shout-out to another great local business — **McDowell Fitness Center!**

Whether you’re working on getting stronger, improving your fitness, training for competition, or simply trying to stay active and healthy, having a good local fitness center is a real asset to our community.

McDowell Fitness Center gives people right here in McDowell County a place to put in the work, challenge themselves and keep moving forward.

As a small local business ourselves, we know how important community support is. Every membership, visit, recommendation, like and share helps keep locally owned businesses going.

So if you’re looking for a place to work on your health and fitness, check out **McDowell Fitness Center** and show them some local support!

Please like, share, and support our local businesses — **they’re what make Marion special!**

07/30/2026

These bourbon barrels have been quietly doing their work.

Our bourbon barrel-aged Reserve Meads are getting close to release. The next step is bottling and labeling, and we expect the first releases to be ready in late summer, with others following in early fall.

These have been given plenty of time to develop rich, deep flavors from the honey, fruit, and bourbon barrels.

More details on each release coming soon.

07/29/2026

📹 We're Opening This Wednesday Evening!

Exciting news! Keepers Cut Meadery has been selected as one of the downtown Marion businesses to be featured as Main Street America films in our community this Wednesday.

Although we're normally closed on Wednesdays, we'll be open from 5:00–8:00 PM to welcome the film crew and celebrate this special opportunity.

If you're looking for something to do Wednesday evening, we'd love to have you stop by. Help us show Main Street America the warmth, hospitality, and community spirit that make Marion such a great place. A meadery full of friends and neighbors would make an incredible impression—and you might even find yourself in the finished video!

Come enjoy a glass of mead, say hello, and help us showcase downtown Marion at its best.

🍷 Keepers Cut Meadery
📅 Wednesday, July 29
🕔 5:00–8:00 PM

Let's show everyone what makes Marion special! ❤️🎥🍯

07/28/2026

Blackberries being pressed for our **Blackberry Reserve**.

This mead has been aging in a bourbon barrel and will be released soon as a very limited offering. We made only 50 gallons, and once it’s gone, we don’t expect to release another batch for at least three years.

Rich blackberry, honey, and bourbon barrel character—all given time to come together.

Plan on getting yours before it’s gone.

07/24/2026

A quick reminder from Keeper’s Cut Meadery

Just a reminder that Keeper’s Cut is temporarily closed while Kathy and I are in Baltimore for my scheduled follow-up appointments.

We’ll be back open Thursday, July 30, and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support!

Cheers!
— Charles

07/21/2026

A quick update from Keeper’s Cut Meadery

Keeper’s Cut will be closed until Thursday, July 30, 2026 while Kathy and I travel to Baltimore for my scheduled scans and follow-up appointments.

Normally, Anthony would be here to keep things running while I’m away, but he is currently unable to do so. Because of this, Kathy and I are unable to operate during this time.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Keeper’s Cut — our customers, friends, and the community that has made this journey so special. Your understanding and encouragement mean more than you know.

I look forward to being back behind the bar on Thursday, July 30, sharing a pour and catching up with everyone.

Thank you, and cheers!

— Charles

07/20/2026

Caramelizing honey for our bochets.

The first video shows the honey earlier in the process, cooked at a lower temperature. The second is later, at a higher temperature, when the honey becomes darker and develops deeper caramelized flavors.

How long and how hot we cook the honey can completely change the finished mead—from lighter caramel and toasted honey notes to darker flavors that can remind you of toffee, molasses, or even toasted marshmallow.

Bochets can be wonderful by themselves, or fermented with apples, spices, and certain fruits. They can also become something really special after aging in oak or bourbon barrels.

Same honey. Different temperatures. Completely different flavors.

07/15/2026