Bone Spirits – Farm to Bottle Distillery

On a recent trip to Smithville, Suzanne and I discovered that there was a distillery in town. This sleepy little town surprises me every time we visit. We learned that Smithville has been used for many films such as Hope Floats starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., The Tree of Life starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, Natural Selection starring Rachael Harris, Doonby starring John Schneider and Bernie starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey. Quite an impressive talent of stars I’d say. Those stars rise and fall but there is one rising star that is here to stay in Smithville. This shining star is Bone Spirits, another entrepreneur story that makes me glad I live in Texas. 

An unassuming two story metal building with a small sign on the outskirts of town stands lonely on this quiet street but, once you enter, you can sense the pride and joy of making great products. The compact distillery is impressive. Up the stairs to the tasting room Suzanne and I went. As we entered, the owner of Bone Distillery, Jeff Peace, greeted us with a big smile and offered up a place at the bar. It didn’t take long for him to start telling us his story of success in creating this distillery. Hard work and knowledge from working at another distillery allowed him to build and craft his own version of excellence in distilling liquor.

Eager to please us, Jeff offered up samplings of his Smith’s Vodka, Fitch’s Goat Moonshine, Moody June American Dry Gin and Fitch’s Goat 100% Corn Whiskey.  As he poured up each sample, Jeff gave us a little background info on the name selections and the locally sourced ingredients. All tasted good, but my favorite turned out to be the Moody June American Dry Gin. I’m not usually a gin drinker, but this stuff tasted great! Made from handpicked botanicals with juniper and citrus notes, this gin is outstanding.  Yes, you guessed right. I bought a bottle without hesitation. And yes, I’m drinking some now while I’m writing this story!

Jeff likes to call his methodology “Farm to Bottle”. He sources as much of his ingredients as possible from the local farmers and gives back to the farmers distillers grains for them to pick up to use as soil fertilizers and livestock feed. This sustainability idea is good for the success of all involved and builds a great community network of families.

As a proponent of buying local products and goods (Texas Made), I hope you will check for Bone Spirits in your local liquor store such as Spec’s. If they don’t carry it, ask them to order some. Or better yet, do like we did and take a daytrip to Smithville and score some from the source. You’ll be glad you did. In the meantime, I’ll finish my tasty Gin drink while I think of my trip to see Texas Thru My Back Door!

We challenge our readers to join in our fight against breast cancer.  Visit Suzanne's new blog "My Equations for Life" as she reflects on life B.C. (before cancer) and A.D. (after diagnosis) and help support new early cancer detection research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with our Go Fund Me project below.

Bay City – A Town Not On The Bay!

If you have driven out Highway 35 along the Texas Coast between Houston and Corpus Christi, you have gone through the town of Bay City. The most interesting thing to me is that the city does not reside next to any bay. Actually, the town was given its name as a reference to its location on Bay Prairie. Who would have thought that?

We have driven though this town many times and never have stopped, but today Suzanne and I drove specifically to Bay City just to see what we could find. Bay City is full of activity during the week. As the county seat of Matagorda County, the downtown district is bustling. Across from the County Courthouse we found our first stop, The Fat Grass Restaurant. Located in an old historic building, the ambiance is delightful. The large wooden bar makes you feel like you are living in the past, but with modern amenities.

The Fat Grass Restaurant got its unique name from the English translation of Matagorda, which means fat grass or thick brush. To me, Fat Grass sounds better than Thick Brush so I like the name they chose. On to the more important stuff - like the food. Suzanne ordered the Mahi Thermidor with roasted squash and fingerling potatoes and I settled on a Chicken Fried Deer Steak with cream gravy, mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans. Both dishes were great and the service was excellent. What a wonderful way to start our day in Bay City.

With full stomachs and smiles on our faces, Suzanne and I decided to walk around the square. We found a few antique stores to browse through and ran across the Matagorda County Museum. The Museum was an unexpected delight.  We enjoyed seeing the prized brass cannon from Robert de LaSalle’s ship, along other artifacts from the recovered shipwreck. The museum also included Indian artifacts, pioneer items and an Alamo Shrine. 

One thing that was unique for a small town museum was their Children’s Museum. Nestled in the belly of the historic Bay City Post Office building, it provides kids (and grandpas) an opportunity to live out their fantasies in an early 1900’s setting. I can’t wait to take my grandson, Drayton, to drop our horses off at the stable, mosey on over to the General Store for some Root Beer and candy. Who knows we might even get a haircut and shave at the Barber’s Shop, try out the wind-up toys in the Toy Shoppe, read a book in the one room schoolhouse, or write a letter to mom at the old post office and tell her we are heading west for a new adventure. Oh, we better stop by the bank and get some money! Hope we don’t run into Jesse James or Billy the Kid. What a fantastic place to EXPLORE.

After Suzanne lassoed me and led me out of the Children’s Museum, we returned to our car. The temperature was starting to get hot (typical summer Texas weather) so we decided to drive around town in air conditioned luxury while looking at some of the architecture of old homes. Suzanne and I found many homes we would like to own! As the afternoon sun started to set out west, it was time to hitch the wagon up and head home from another great daytrip as we visit Texas Thru My Back Door!

We challenge our readers to join in our fight against breast cancer.  Visit Suzanne's new blog "My Equations for Life" as she reflects on life B.C. (before cancer) and A.D. (after diagnosis) and help support new early cancer detection research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with our Go Fund Me project below.

Huff Brewing Company – A Texas Craft Beer Find!

           Sometimes I get lucky and find an interesting place to visit just by accident. On a recent day trip to get Suzanne out of the house when she’s feeling better after chemo, we were driving through Bellville. This is a route we take often through the back roads when we head out west of Houston. Bellville is a typical Texas small town with old historic buildings, a town square and numerous small businesses dotting the roads. I asked Suzanne to check and see if there would be anything interesting for us to do in town.

One of the internet searches brought up Huff Brewing Company. Since it was a hot late afternoon, I commented to Suzanne that these small craft brewery entrepreneurs reminded me of the pioneering Texian spirit of days long past, when pioneers left their homes and families to search for a better life. I mentioned to her how difficult it must be to sink your savings and hard labor into such an endeavor. Fortunately for me, she took the bait and asked if I would like to stop and try their beers. I replied, “OK, if you think it’s a good idea.” Deep inside I was excited about the idea of having a couple of ice cold beers at a new craft brewery, while making it seem like it was Suzanne’s idea.  Quite an accomplishment considering the fact that she can’t have alcohol right now!

While Huff Brewing is currently not always open on Saturdays, this particular Saturday afternoon they were open. (You have to check their Facebook page for Saturday times.) The brewery is nestled in a barbwire community outside of Bellville.  Although the brew house is unassuming on the outside, once inside, it was easy to see that these country boys are serious about producing quality beer. The brewery setup is very professional and similar to some of the larger breweries we have visited.

Once inside, we met our hostess, Susan, who is also one of the owners of the brewery. Suzanne asked her why she wanted to own a craft brewery. Her quick and short answer came with a big smile, “I love to drink beer!” Sounds like a good reason to me to own a brewery. Made me think of Blue Bell, “we drink all we can and sell the rest!” While Suzanne’s inquiry was interesting, she missed the most important question.  “How good does the beer taste?” So, I put them to the test. Drinking a short glass of each of their four beers, I treated them like a wine tasting. I looked at the color, swirled the beer in my glass, felt the coldness of the brew, and sipped slowly, while embracing my foam mustache. Without laughing out loud, our hostess Susan kept a straight face and answered all our questions about the brews and the brewery. Little did she know that I am a seasoned beer drinker who thought to have a little fun while enjoying the beers!

Huff’s four brews are: Huff’s Original, Huffmiester, Overture and Troilis. The light lager Huffmiester was my personal favorite.  Troilis was the most interesting.  It is aged in Cognac barrels for up to sixteen weeks to infuse the Cognac flavors with the amber lager. As far as where to buy these tasty brews, they are just now getting into the Houston markets and have plans to introduce a canned beer soon. They are on tap at The Farm Drinkery at Louetta and Champions Forest and soon you will be able to find them at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.  For other locations and the brewery hours, check their website and Facebook page.

The best bet in my opinion is to visit the brewery near Bellville and have a few brews while soaking up the country ambiance. Ask for Susan and tell her Suzanne and I sent you! She will treat you right. Ask your favorite watering hole to add the Huff Brewing Company tap beers to their stable of brews. The pioneering entrepreneur spirit is alive and still kicking. Let’s keep it that way as we see Texas Thru My Back Door!

We challenge our readers to join in our fight against breast cancer.  Visit Suzanne's new blog "My Equations for Life" as she reflects on life B.C. (before cancer) and A.D. (after diagnosis) and help support new early cancer detection research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with our Go Fund Me project below.

The San Jacinto Monument

Located on the east side of Houston is a monument which should be dear to all the people who live in Texas. It is at this location where an unruly, tattered band of brothers led by a brave commander who was determined to overcome overwhelming odds against a larger, more powerful army made his last stand. 

With the defeats at the Alamo and Goliad deeply burned in his mind, General Sam Houston gave the order to burn the bridges behind them. No one would be leaving this battle until one side was totally defeated. In the meantime, his nemesis, General Santa Anna, decided to give his troops a little rest and relaxation. He was so sure that the Texians would not attack his larger and more highly trained army, few guards were posted. They would be ready to line up and battle the Texians the next day if the Texians dared to show up. 

General Sam Houston decided on another game plan. He knew his smaller army was outmanned, so with the cunningness of a Cherokee Indian and the wisdom earned from the fighting the British at the Battle of New Orleans, Sam Houston decided on an afternoon surprise. It worked! The Texians routed the larger, more experienced Mexican Army in a record 18 minutes! With General Santa Anna’s capture the next day, the Republic of Texas was saved from early extinction and leaped into prominence with the powers of the world.

It is only fitting that in 1939 Texas erected the world’s tallest war memorial obelisk monument at the location of the battle. In Texas fashion, against the wishes of Washington D.C., the monument was built higher than the George Washington Monument. At the bottom of the monument, there is a fascinating Republic of Texas museum filled with artifacts and other items of interest. The museum is free of charge for all who are curious to learn more about our state’s history. At the top of the monument is an observation deck where you get a birds-eye view of the battlefield and see the scores of refineries and petrochemical plants that surround the site. 

If you never been to this historic site, it’s a must see “Bucket List” place in Texas. If you been before as a child like me, you will find it’s a great place to return and learn more about Texas history.

We challenge our readers to join in our fight against breast cancer.  Visit Suzanne's new blog "My Equations for Life" as she reflects on life B.C. (before cancer) and A.D. (after diagnosis) and help support new early cancer detection research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with our Go Fund Me project below.