Meet Ben Chaney, Matt Cross, Tamara Chaney and Amber DeGiso of Scale & Feather Meadery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Chaney, Matt Cross, Tamara Chaney and Amber DeGiso.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Ben and Cross have separately been making mead at home for over ten years. We began the journey to open the meadery about four years ago with just a what if and a dream. Worked for close to two years to raise funds, make plans, take classes and attend training, and finally opened last May. We all come from a fantasy/D&D background that brought us all together (Ben & Tamara met in high school playing D&D and have now been together for over 25 years). We realize that mead is truly a unique beverage that many haven’t heard of and don’t realize exists, so education is a large part of our job.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not always… federal government shut down started 12 days after we submitted our federal liquor application. Put us behind schedule a couple of months. Now, just as we were preparing for our one year anniversary, we’ve had to close the tasting room and only do online orders for pickup three days a week.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Scale & Feather Meadery story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a medieval-tavern themed meadery with full production area in back and tasting room upfront. We make mead (honey wine) in a variety of styles and flavors. We have created an atmosphere that is inviting and comfortable and offers a place for fantasy and mead lovers to gather and relax. On a typical day, you’ll find groups playing D&D, card, or board games while enjoying a glass or flight of mead. Several times a month, we have special events like music or murder mystery nights. Our goal is to create a community gathering place that is affordable and fun.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There is definitely some chance involved in all things, but mostly it is how we respond that we think makes the difference. Bad luck like the federal government shutting down just as we applied to open or the COVID-19 closures that are currently impacting us all can be a huge stumbling block, but the way our customers have rallied around us in support is amazing. We have had the good luck of establishing an outstanding support network and community that we are proud to be part of.

Pricing:

• 500 ml bottles $18 to $25

Contact Info:

• Address: 1050 N. Fairway Dr. #E112
  Avondale, AZ 85323
• Website: www.scaleandfeather.com
• Phone: 623-440-8931
• Email: scaleandfeathermead@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/scaleandfeathermead
• Facebook: facebook.com/scaleandfeathermead
• Twitter: twitter.com/snfmeadery
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/scale-and-feather-meadery-avondale

Image Credit:
Heather Power
Scale & Feather Meadery

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