Oxford couple is cranking out suds, cider and wine for thirsty patrons

If you brew it, they will come.

That’s what Tom and Theresa Wrobel have discovered since opening Gravel Capital Brewing, downtown Oxford’s newest craft brewery, a few weeks ago. Business is booming.

“I was a little shocked to see the amount of beer we’re blowing through,” Tom said. “We never intended to be in here on work nights brewing, but here we are. It’s busy.”

The Wrobels, longtime residents of Oxford Village, are by no means complaining. They’re delighted so many folks like their product.

“We’ve had good Yelp reviews, good Facebook reviews. People are enjoying the beer,” Theresa said.

Gravel Capital Brewing, located at 10 N. Washington St., currently has eight beers on tap. Styles include Belgium, India Pale Ale (IPA), pilsner, Irish red, blonde, rye, porter and stout. They’re available in 5-ounce or 16-ounce pours to sip at the brewery and 64-ounce growlers to take home.

“The IPA has been extremely popular,” Tom said. “We’re having a hard time keeping up with (the demand) at this point. We sell more IPA than all the other beers combined right now.”

He believes its popularity is due to it being “a really well-rounded, smooth, not-too-bitter” beer.

“It appeals to people who really like IPAs and it appeals to people who don’t necessarily like IPAs,” Tom said.

Serious beer aficionados are invited to join Gravel Capital’s mug club. Members receive 20-ounce pours in special mugs that they can decorate and store at the brewery, $1 off every draft, a free beer on their birthday, 14 percent off merchandise and 50 percent off one growler on Wednesdays.

Mug club membership is limited to 96 right now and more than half of those spots are taken. The first year costs $75 and after that, it’s $40 annually to renew.

In addition to beer, Gravel Capital Brewing makes two types of cider, apple and pear, and offers its own selection of red and white wines.

For patrons who crave something that’s extra cold and fun, the brewery offers slushies made from its wine and cider.

“Why is it only kids that get to have slushies? Adults like them, too,” Tom said. “They’ve been fairly popular. We’ll probably go through 10 gallons in a weekend.”

Because man cannot live by alcohol alone, Gravel Capital Brewing offers patrons a selection of snacks, including popcorn, pickles, pretzels, peanuts, salami sticks and fresh-baked chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies.

Although Gravel Capital Brewing does not have a kitchen to create lunch and dinner items for customers, it does offer unique alternatives.

For example, on Friday and Saturday nights, the brewery brings in food trucks to offer patrons everything from sandwiches and tacos to fried green tomatoes and macaroni and cheese.

“I love the idea of food trucks,” Tom said. “It’s an alternating menu. It’s always something different and new.”

Gravel Capital also encourages patrons to bring in their own food from local eateries or have it delivered right to the brewery.

“We don’t want to compete against all these restaurants in Oxford,” Tom said. “They do a great job. We have a lot of good restaurants in town. There’s a lot of good food.”

Patrons are even welcome to bring food from their homes to munch while they sip a beverage or two. “You can bring your peanut butter and jelly sandwich here,” Theresa said.

Theresa noted the brewery’s food policy is good news for folks who suffer from allergies or have dietary restrictions.

The Wrobels want their customers to have a good time while they’re imbibing, so the brewery offers an assortment of fun activities, including table shuffleboard, cards, darts, cornhole and board games.

For those who aren’t aware of it, the brewery draws its name from the fact that Oxford used to be known as the “Gravel Capital of the World.” The brewery is decorated with old black-and-white photographs, posters and artifacts linked to the community’s rich history as a gravel mining center.

Oxford’s first gravel mining operation opened in 1912. Extraction began on 87 acres of farmland purchased by William “W.O.” Smith and F.W. Hubbard, who incorporated as Detroit and Oxford Gravel and Stone Co.

Mining continues today on the American Aggregates property, owned by the Edward C. Levy Co., and on the 1,200-acre Koenig Sand and Gravel property along Lakeville Rd.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Gravel Capital Brewing is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. That will be followed by a weekend of grand opening festivities beginning on Friday, Sept. 27.

Gravel Capital Brewing is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The brewery is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

For more information, please visit gravelcapital.com or call (248) 572-4522.