RICHMOND, Va. — Two local cideries are starting off the new year with something new, with one picking up the pieces of a defunct coffee startup and the other adding gluten-free beer to its roster.
Buskey Cider is increasing its production capabilities at its cidery at 2910 W. Leigh St. in Scott’s Addition, adding an 1,800-gallon brite tank that it acquired from Convergent Coffee Co., which is going out of business.
The addition allows Buskey to nearly double its production, said Will Correll, who owns the business with wife Elle.
It’s the second time Buskey has added tanks. Correll said the success of its seasonal ciders, including watermelon rosemary, peach tea and pina colada, led to the need for more capacity.
“We had a successful year, but a lot of time we weren’t able to capitalize on that success and get people the product they wanted,” Correll said. “Getting the new 60-barrel tank in there is a pretty huge upgrade for us.”
Buskey also purchased the rest of Convergent’s assets, including its lease at a 10,000-square-foot warehouse at 1716 Rhoadmiller St., which Correll said they’re using for storage. He added that Buskey is looking to sell off some other production hardware that was included in the purchase.
Buskey has been steadily growing its presence throughout the state, opening a satellite location in Cape Charles and starting distribution in Southwest Virginia last year. Correll said Buskey is looking to bolster its distribution presence in Hampton Roads before heading north, with its eyes on Northern Virginia.
Courthouse Creek Cider’s tasting room in Scott’s Addition. (BizSense file photo)
Courthouse Creek adding beer
Meanwhile, another husband-and-wife-owned cidery will soon be adding beer to its offerings.
Courthouse Creek Cider is beginning to brew gluten-free beer at its Goochland facility at 1581 Maidens Road.
Owned by Eric Cioffi and Liza Fierro-Cioffi, Courthouse Creekalso operates a satellite taproom in The Highpoint building at 3300 W. Broad St. in Scott’s Addition.
