Mountaineer Brothers is a West Virginia-based spirits company founded by Tim Kesecker and Michael Greenblatt.

"Our mission is to craft exceptional, premium spirits that celebrate the beauty, culture, and spirit of West Virginia. At Mountaineer Brothers, we take inspiration from the traditions of tailgating and the camaraderie of game day to create products that reflect the values and heritage of our home state."

The idea for Mountaineer Brothera was born in the iconic Blue Lot, the heart of WVU football tailgating culture. For years, we shared our signature West Virginia Jungle Juice, a bourbon-based cocktail made with apple cider and champagne, with friends and family before every home game. The drink became a beloved tradition in the Blue Lot and sparked countless conversations about creating something truly special for West Virginia. Inspired by those moments, we decided to craft our own bourbon that embodied the spirit of our home state.

The name Mountaineer Brothers is a tribute to our lifelong friends, current and past. The great times we have had together during tailgates and celebrations inspired us to create a brand that honors the brotherhood that we share.

I purchased some Blue Lot Bourbon. Have you tried it yet?

During the pandemic, I made it a mission to try all of the Tudor's Biscuit World locations in West Virginia.

During that time, restaurants were shut down, except for drive-throughs. And, I needed to get out of the house. So, this mission allowed me to try new places and helped feed my need for travel.

But no, whenever there is a new location that opens, I feel the need to visit it so that I can check it off my list, as well. The Inwood location is new and the only in the Eastern Panhandle. I ordered the Politician, which is a thick slice of bologna, American cheese and egg on a biscuit. It’s not fancy, but it’s satisfying. The Politician tastes like a diner breakfast crossed with a childhood bologna sandwich, all wrapped in a big, buttery biscuit. Grade: B

Beckley is home to a new travel plaza. It is located at I-77 Exit 45 on the West Virginia Turnpike and serves as a rest stop and convenience hub for motorists, truck drivers and vacationers. The original plaza was demolished and replaced with a modern facility that reopened in late 2024 after a major renovation project aimed at bringing world-class services to travelers. The plaza features Wendy’s, Starbucks, Popeyes and Mountain State Market. Those are all pretty familiar to folks, except the Mountain State Market. The market space is filled witg grab-and-go sandwiches, snack packs, chips, drinks and more. My favorite find was local freeze-dried treats from CryoCrave, which included taffy, fruit and even pizza. In the travel plaza, you can also find West Virginia foods, like honey, maple syrup, coffee, salt and more. It's not a bad little stop if you need to fuel up - both for you & your car.

Whistle Stop Cafe is a charming downtown Grafton café and coffee shop serving specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, baked goods and daily lunch items like soups, sandwiches and salads. The interior of Whistle Stop Cafe feels comfortable and familiar. Soft lighting, mismatched tables, and cozy seating give the space a lived-in charm, while small details and local touches nod to Grafton’s railroad roots. They serve hot, iced and frozen coffee drinks alongside smoothies and specialty espresso favorites, plus breakfast sandwiches and sweet morning staples like yogurt, muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls. Lunch features fresh sandwiches and rotating specials, and there are always grab-and-go treats like cookies, pretzels and popcorn to round it out. One of my favorite drinks is a frozen hot chocolate. I know it's a bit of a misnomer, but it blends rich cocoa with a wonderfully light, icy texture. Next up was a berry muffin. It had a fresh, natural berry flavor that was pleasantly tart. The crumb was tender and slightly dense. The tartness of the berries balanced the sweetness. I had a breakfast bagel with sausage, egg & American cheese. The only thing missed was a sauce to bring it all together for me. What's your favorite thing to get here? Grade: B

Every town should have at least one good local pizza joint. In Grafton, it's Capri Pizza Parlor. It’s a modest, no-frills restaurant with an old-school interior and straightforward menu: pizza, hoagies and salads. I ordered a small cheese pizza, which had a semi-thick - but crisp - crust. It was topped with a generous layer of melty mozzarella that stretches beautifully and delivers that classic, creamy cheesiness without being overly salty. Simple and comforting, though I would've loved some more zip in the sauce. Grade: B