Artist Angie Baker brings her mural painting skills to The Taproom.

"It is not enough to
say the crow flies purposefully,
or heavily, or rowingly, or whatever.
There are no words to capture
the infinite depth of
crowiness in the crow's flight."
- Ted Hughes

When you step into The Taproom at Tumbling Creek Cider, the first thing you’ll notice isn’t just the hum of conversation or the crisp scent of cider lingering in the air, but look up. There’s a story waiting for you on the walls—a vibrant, sweeping mural that’s become the heart of our space. Local artist Angie Baker poured her talent (and a whole lot of heart) into this piece, and today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what makes it so special.

Let’s start with the scene: a sky ablaze with hues of blue, orange, and gold, stretching over the undulating silhouette of the Virginia Highlands. Is it a sunrise or sunset? Honestly, we’ve debated that around here more times than we’ve debated cider recipes. Some say it’s dawn—a nod to new beginnings. Others swear it’s dusk, that quiet magic hour when the world slows down and you’re ready for a cider. We’ll let you decide. Either way, it’s pure Appalachia, captured in brushstrokes.

Crows, as it turns out, are more than just our mascots. They’re storytellers. In Appalachian lore, they’re keepers of wisdom, tricksters, and guardians of the in-between. In The Taproom, you can find them in the mural, tucked into corners, hidden in the knots of reclaimed wood or peeking from behind a shelf. They even make cameos on our cider labels—a little “hello” from the mountains in every sip. It’s our way of tipping a hat to the land that raised us and the people who’ve shaped its legacy.

Either Way, It’s Pure Appalachia

Now, look closer. Four crows cut across that glowing sky. These aren’t just any birds—they’re our birds. A feathery homage to the four of us who built this place from the ground up. (Yes, we’re the crows. No, we won’t apologize for the occasional mischief.) Angie wove them into the scene with purpose, their wings tipped toward the horizon as if leading the eye—and the spirit—deeper into these hills we call home.

So next time you’re here, take a moment and look up. Trace the lines of the mountains. Follow the crows. And if you spot one of their hidden cousins elsewhere in the room, consider it a wink from the hills themselves—a reminder that every detail here, just like every batch of cider, is rooted in place, history, and a little bit of magic.

Come raise a glass to the view. The crows are waiting.

— The Tumbling Creek Team