Today we’d like to introduce you to KD Hill.
Hi KD, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When my husband and I married and settled into life in Salado, Texas, we were inspired by the local creatives. This town has been known for decades for its artists and we loved getting to know those craftsmen, established and new. Painters, jewelers, potters, glassblowers, and more, they were pursuing their craft unabashedly and that was refreshing.
Graydon had been a commercial airline pilot for years and was seeking a change that would allow him to be home more. He asked himself what was missing from this community and immediately settled on opening a microbrewery. He had been homebrewing for some time and loved it. He sought out a mentor in Colorado and was encouraged by him to pursue this business. We had both lived internationally and felt strongly that a third space, like a microbrewery, was essential to a strong town. We loved the beer garden atmosphere in Germany and tried to replicate that in this Central Texas Town. Barrow Brewing Company opened in April 2016 and was the first microbrewery in Bell County.
Today we employ 50+ people, full and part-time. We have expanded the microbrewery’s operation to include an outdoor beer garden with live music, and two food trucks – specializing in wood fired pizza and barbecue. Neither of us had a culinary or hospitality education or background, so we have learned as we’ve gone and hired excellent people who fill the gaps in our own knowledge.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As the first microbrewery in Bell County, we faced several hurdles. The first of which was the fact that the Village of Salado was still partially dry. We had to change the local law before we would be allowed to open. With the help of our church family (Saint Joseph’s Episcopal Church) Graydon and several church ladies went door to door getting signatures for a local option election. The issue was on the November 2014 ballot and passed with a landslide vote of 784 YES and 229 not in favor. We named a beer after that vote, one of our flagships, 784 Belgian Style White Ale. You can find it in stores between Waco and Georgetown or grab a six-pack when you visit the brewery.
Of course, COVID-19 affected our business greatly. 2020 was a rollercoaster, trying to keep up with the Governor’s Directives and our own county and Village ordinances. We were lucky to have loyal customers who kept us open. The farmers market we had been hosting since 2017 also grew as people sought alternative shopping experiences. We were blessed to be able to provide a place where local farmers and vendors could make their living and local customers could feel safe to shop.
We’ve been impressed with Barrow Brewing Company, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After a year in business, I was able to quit my corporate job and come to work for the brewery. It was a scary time, but necessary as the brewery was growing and we planned to expand our operations. My duties there include marketing, events, HR, and accounting. The Happy Pizza truck that we opened in the beer garden in 2018 is my baby. We took some of the yeast from one of the beers to make our sourdough starter, which I think makes it extra special. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and it is a joy to see happy families enjoying their time together over beer and pizza.
Several local customers, who have now become dear friends, have told me how important the brewery is to them. One couple lived in Salado for 20 years but didn’t have anyone local they called friends before they started coming to the brewery.
We have also gotten to know several families who moved to the area specifically because of the brewery. The Village of Salado is a “golf cart community” and families love to drive their golf carts to the brewery together. The community that has formed at the brewery is special and dear to my heart. Every year on Thanksgiving we host a pot-luck. It is attended my singles, military members, families – anyone who wants to come is welcome. This year we smoked seven turkeys on the BobbyQue pit – they were delicious. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and sharing it this way is actually really fun.
Music has played a larger role in my life as a brewery owner than I expected. We host musicians every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The partnerships between a venue and musicians is vital and supporting their work is important for the culture of any Village or City.
Of course, I have to mention the beer. We started with four flagship brews when we opened on April 1, 2016. We now have 12-15 on tap at any given time. The 15-BBL brewhouse is a good size for our operation as we self-distribute between Georgetown and Waco and feed our own taproom and silo bar. We started with beers that we loved and now the menu reflects the tastes of Salado. We have several lagers, a few IPAs, and a handful of other styles that rotate throughout the year. Our seasonal brews all feature native Texas flavors – honey, local wheat, and persimmons each get their own season.
I mentioned it earlier, but the staff we have are essential to our operation. Getting to work alongside chefs, brewers, and hospitality professionals is a wonder. The talent, ideas, and integrity they bring to the table are a fundamental part of our success thus far.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.barrowbrewing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrowbeer/ | https://www.instagram.com/happypizzaco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarrowBrewingCompany
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrowbeer
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barrow-brewing-company-salado
