Center of the Universe Brewing Company

Brewery · Hanover County

Center of the Universe Brewing Company

Brewery · Hanover County

1

11293 Air Park Rd, Ashland, VA 23005

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Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by Center of the Universe Brewing/Facebook
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null
Center of the Universe Brewing Company by null

Highlights

Center of the Universe Brewing Company (COTU for short) is a craft brewery located Ashland, VA. We specialize in an assortment of ales using only whole ingredients, while sticking to the traditional all-natural method of brewing beer.  

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11293 Air Park Rd, Ashland, VA 23005 Get directions

cotubrewing.com
@cotubrew

$$ · Menu

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11293 Air Park Rd, Ashland, VA 23005 Get directions

+1 804 368 0299
cotubrewing.com
@cotubrew
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@COTUbrew

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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"Brothers Chris and Phil Ray opened COTU in their hometown of Ashland, just twenty minutes from downtown Richmond, to celebrate a wide range of ale styles, and that’s exactly what you’ll find on the production brewery’s seasonal beer menu. COTU produces seasonal specials and a core lineup that includes Pocahoptas, a West Coast-style IPA, and an easy-drinking Slingshot Kölsch. Check out COTU’s collection of pinball tables and a pup-friendly patio with food trucks on the weekends." - Stephanie Ganz

17 of the Best Breweries in Richmond, Virginia - Eater DC
View Postcard for Center of the Universe Brewing Company

Aimee Robidoux

Google
Stopped here on my way through Virginia and had a really great time. Love that you could do a flight of four or of eight because that really lets you sample the menu. The brewery itself has a great layout where there's a game room as soon as you walk in to the right which is great for kids then there's the bar area which has a very sleek style to it and you can continue through to the outside area as well. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Get their flagship IPA!

Dave Fielding

Google
Had a great experience. I was curious about two beers, they gave me a taste of both, and that made my decision so much easier! They have a great variety. Definitely recommend, and will be back.

Cody Rosser

Google
Update 9/1/23: food trucks on schedule! Check their Facebook page for updates. Love the pocahoptas, chameleon IPA is always my take home. River city woodfire pizza is a homerun. Can't go wrong here on a Friday night. Original review: NO FOOD! I was very torn between 4 and 5 stars, if I could have given 4.5 stars I would have. My experience was great, they had really great beer, a good atmosphere, great service, but no food. I thought it was strange that they don't allow you to start a tab, they only allow you to purchase as you go. They had a sizable outdoor space with several picnic tables. Their arcade games were very fun. Mainly pinball machines but they had some other video games as well. My bartender Emma was very kind and attentive. My favorite beer was the chameleon hazy IPA. I will be checking their Facebook page and coming back here when they have some music or a food truck visiting. Would recommend

Marcelle M (Traveling Miles)

Google
Great brewery with many good beer options. I opted for a raspberry wit since it was a warm autumn afternoon. Hit the spot. Nice sitting spots both indoors and out. Recommend this brewery for both beer and atmosphere! Pick up some 4-packs to go while you are there.

Chris Geaney

Google
Great environment with plenty of table games and a whole arcade section. The outdoor area had tons of space and a stage for live music. Overall the beer was good, obviously some beers are hit or miss. They also sell mixed 4 packs to go!

E. Horme

Google
I am delighted to review this place. First time here and I have to say...this place is AWESOME!. Best local beer, good food and great environment in one place. The best part is their social responsibility and commitment to help local organizations such a Feed More. I had a nice conversation with Thom about why helping local non profits and support other local businesses. Such a great and interesting story! I highly recommended to visit this place, their beer, food, service and environment amazing....plus point the terraza! Good job!

Alex Ashton

Google
Everything about this place is great. A lot of solid, classic style beers with some experimentals. Cool vibe with retro decor and pinball machines inside and picnic tables surrounded by and covered by hop vines outside (and dog friendly!). And the staff is the absolute best of any brewery in the area! A lot of fun regular and special events, including bingo every Sunday. Well worth the quick detour back into the industrial park.

Elizabeth Baker

Google
Nice enough venue, one decent country band but otherwise the "scene" was a little too manbun, pastel colored hair for my taste! Few more American flag shirts and not so many males in skinny jeans would help...

Joe G.

Yelp
Chocolate Fest - need to stop by when it isn't slammed. the chocolate stout flight was good, but most of them appeared to be the same beer with some flavoring added, rather than beers designed from the ground up. service was prompt, though they got overwhelmed soon after - ymmv. had their beer before and enjoyed it, so looking forward to hanging out in their roomy tasting room without the crowds sometime.

Amy I.

Yelp
The parking is decent...they have a decent parking lot but I can't imagine it super super busy. The bartenders are amazing and super helpful when you don't know what you want! I had food from a food truck and that was great. The beers are great and they have a bunch of boardgames around the place. Super fun

Arty O.

Yelp
Got a flight of 8 and shared w my date. Not busy at all during the week and staff was so nice. I'd definitely go back!!!

Melissa T.

Yelp
It was a cute brewery as the Devore was nice. There are several video/pinball games available. There was not a ton of options but enough for anyone to find something. There is outdoor seating that was very nice with some games available. This place does not serve food but has food trucks come to the parking lot which is neat. Everyone working was very nice and helpful.

MaryKaye B.

Yelp
Service provided was good, ambiance great. Food truck provided great food. We will definitely visit again.

Natasha U.

Yelp
We really enjoy hanging out at this brewery. First of all, their beers are fantastic. Great atmosphere and they have some great local bands that play here regularly. Also, lots of locals that live in Ashland hang out here and it's like the whole community knows each other. Really friendly folks. Just a fun place to grab some good food and good beer. Highly recommended

Xavier C.

Yelp
FINALLY got a chance to check out this facility. For the number of times I pass it on 64, I should have a seat at the bar by now. I didn't know what to expect since all I knew for the longest time was that I love their beers. The facility is very simple but tasteful. There are some places to goof off, play games, or just chill. Must be one of those things where you build it up in your head so much that the actual "thing" can never meet the mark. While have no real complaints or issues, it was just cool. If you have time to stop by it's cool but idk if it's a thing to go well out of your way to do so. I can absolutely see the local draw as if I were much closer, this would be a great place to just chill in general. Food Taste: n/a Overall Service: 5 Value of beer to cost: 4 Facility: 5 Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: not that I could tell

Kyle H.

Yelp
I only come here about once a year because I would rather go other places however their patio was quite nice this evening. Not a huge amount of people to fight for a spot and the beer was really refreshing.

Adam B.

Yelp
The Richmond metro area is definitely a rising star in craft breweries and I've been fortunate to try at least a dozen of them. After a 90 minute hike, I decided to stop at COTU, a little north of the city. It was a Sunday afternoon during COVID, so mask and seating restrictions were in place. The beers were all served in plastic cups, which takes a little of the allure away, in my opinion. Also, they play free bingo every hour, on the hour from 1 to 5 pm, very cool promotion idea. I tried about half a dozen beers and most of them were decent. The pineapple whip was a pretty good cream ale, but you definitely will notice the taste of the cream, so it may be too sweet for some people. The Oaky Pokey was a little bit malty and left a strong oakey aftertaste, if you like a more assertive beer, then this is worth checking out. The oatmeal raisin cookie porter, I guess if you like a sweet porter you might go for it, this is just not my style of beer. The Pocahoptas IPA might be their flagship beer and as an IPA fan, I did enjoy this one. This is more of a west coast style, but not an overly piney beer. I'd probably drink this one again. For food, they have a Puerto Rican restaurant attached and the owner is an incredibly friendly and engaging guy. I ordered the pollo loco, which was shredded skinless chicken breast with a little sauce served with rice and beans. The chicken was pretty juicy, but the meal overall was a little bland, it needed some spice, needed some life! Overall, a pretty fair experience, but not a lot that makes it stand out from other Richmond breweries.

Kathleen D.

Yelp
COTU is a tiny little hike north of Richmond but is convenient to 95 and 295. The brewery itself is pretty cool and open. They have a large tasting room with plenty of seating options, as well as a terrace and a private events room. I've only visited twice in cold weather so far, once for a tasting and more recently for a private party. I'll admit that I've yet to find a beer that has really wowed me. They've all been average to basic, with the exception of the Oktoberfest, which was quite nice for the style. Per Untappd ratings (on a 1-5 bottle cap rating system): - Shut Up (barrel-aged doppelbock): 3.75 - Orange is the New Stout (imperial stout): 0.75 - El Duderino (milk stout): 4 - Crazy Bet (red ale): 2.75 - Percolator (English brown): 2 - Verbunden Dunkelheit (dunkelweizen): 3 - Ray Ray's Pale Ale: 3 - Chin Music (amber lager): 4 - Slingshot Kolsh (kolsh): 3.75 - Oktoberfest (marzen): 4.25 So if I was rating solely on beer quality (of the ones I've tried so far), they'd probably get three stars. But I really did enjoy the private events room and thought it was the perfect size for groups between 25-50 people. And I can appreciate that they test many different styles and don't just rely on the ever-popular IPA trend. Both points elevate the rating. Some breweries are lax on IDing, but this is one that will require it no matter your age. Just be prepared. I don't mind showing mine since I do look fairly young, but I know some elder folks can get annoyed when they're obviously over 21. Bathrooms here are clean. Haven't had an issue with them. So, overall, I'd say go in and try a flight if you're driving by or relatively close.

Jayne G.

Yelp
I often enjoy COTU beers out on the town and at home but this was only my second visit to the brewery. Unfortunately, it is to far from my house to enjoy on the regular. That being said, I wish it was closer! My husband and I had a great time here last Sunday. The beer was delicious and they had a really nice variety of standards and fun new things to try. The atmosphere is cool and comfortable making you want to stay and hang out for the afternoon or evening. The outdoor area is also awesome. While we were there they had BINGO going at the top of every hour which was a lot of fun (one bingo sheet for every beer you order.) Check it out if you are in the area because COTU is doing it right! :)

Christopher P.

Yelp
What's happened to this place? As a regular customer and my first time coming back in years I see a satellite running the show and it seems like he does not know what he's doing. The staff was arguing like they lived together and nobody ever asked me about getting another beer. This definitely went from one of my favorite spots to my least favorite. If you're looking for a good time, this is not it.

Keiko M.

Yelp
Lucky! Live music and Olympic on tv!! Taste: I got a flight. No name tags so no idea. One tastes lika bloody marry. Besides that, vinegary... Price: A flight $11 for 7. Customer service: Ummm... They are too hectic. Events: Many. Live music right now. The singer and guitar player has a good taste. Neil Young, The animals, etc... A big screen shows Olympic now. Ambience: Spacious and family friendly. Casual. Clean. Parking: Free.

Ryan A.

Yelp
Tasty brews, cool pinball machines, bingo nights with prizes, live music, a chill spot to relax outside, and some pretty sweet wall images done up. I enjoy this place a good bit. It cracked me up that my girlfriend finally realized what COTU (koh-too) was after I talked about it in that form for so long. We both enjoyed some great tasting beers and took in the scenery. I was so excited to finally try one of their Chameleon series of beers since there's so rare and pricey outside of the brewery. I went with the Orange because I'd prefer that over the color of Red, ya know red means allot of bad things. But I honestly doubt that the Red version is anything close to bad. We didn't get to slap any balls around the pinball machines but I did admire their lineup of choices. Stop in, grab a cold one, enjoy the atmosphere and the strange brews they have to offer!

Priscilla P.

Yelp
I like the atmosphere here. Inside and outside seating. The only problem i had was no onsite food and no flights available. However, they do allow you to bring outside food in, which is so rare! The Watermelon There goes summer is amazing. They also allowed two samples per person.

Chandani D.

Yelp
Great brewery out in the cut aka Ashland! Visited here on a rainy Friday afternoon and it was pretty busy with the afterwork crowd. They have a great patio space that we unfortunately didn't get to explore. Decided to try out a flight and got a mixture of some of the more famous beers as well as some of the more uncommon ones - can't quite recall the name but the spicy habanero pepper IPA is out of this world, no pun intended. Come check this place out!

Melissa E.

Yelp
We have visited breweries throughout Virginia, not sure why on a quiet Saturday we were treated like shit. Bartenders made sure to tell us they would limit how many "tasters" we could try when we hadn't asked for any, only inquired about purchasing a flight. Not allowed to open a tab, which turned out fine considering the beer was subpar. Walked out of the bathroom to hear the bartending staff degrading the customers who just walked out (just happened to be my family)

Steven K.

Yelp
First time here. Got the Great Scotch Bourbon Barrel Aged. Amazing! I'm grabbing a growler on the way out. The staff seem friendly and knowledgeable. I love stouts and porters. They didn't have any ready just yet but the recommendation they gave me was top-notch!

David M.

Yelp
I probably don't visit here enough (watching my girlish figure), but I should! I have never been disappointed with the service, atmosphere... and the beer! I'm a lager drinker and have enjoyed the "Chin Music" since it's debut! Today was Freekin Rican brunch and the food was great! Keep an eye open for these Saturday specials and food truck visits!

Allison M.

Yelp
I came here on a Friday night maybe an hour or two before closing, so it wasn't too packed. Upon arriving, I was really excited about their large patio area that was bordered by pergolas growing hop plants! Needless to say, the smells and overall ambiance of the outdoor space was awesome. Inside, there is one central bar with about 9 beers on tap. There are a handful of high top tables and semi-circle booths next to a line of pinball machines! You also get a pretty cool window view into their brewing area as well. In terms of beers, I stuck withe Pocahoptas, one of my favorite COTU beers. Honestly, you can't really go wrong with any of their regular beers like the Ray Rays or Chin Music. The bartender was great and patient, letting us taste some of the seasonals as well. I wish this place was closer to Richmond! It's a little bit of a track (relatively speaking) to the other breweries in Richmond city, but it's worth the journey! I definitely want to come back on a day there is live music as there is a stage outside too!

Erinn P.

Yelp
Love the space, not a big fan of many of the beers. I am not an IPA fan, and that seems to be the go-to for a lot of breweries these days. The other beers I've tried have been ok, but nothing has blown me away or made me interested in taking home growlers or bottles. I keep visiting as friends really like the brews. They do have a nice room available for private parties, and pinball is always fun!

JohnandPenni L.

Yelp
Friendly staff, clean location, pinball machines...all great! Plenty of outdoor seating and corn hole as well!! And beer flights! Then why the 2 stars?? First, kids are brought on site...seriously? Shame on the parents and bad on the establishment for allowing it. Second, get me some Coors Light to wipe out this horrible taste from my mouth We both have been to breweries all over this country and I have to say that this is the worst tasting beer either of us have had. Did not empty our shot glasses as some tasted like cough syrup. Tip: work a little harder to get the beer better, not bitter, and ask your customers to leave the kids at home.

Keegan Z.

Yelp
It's quite a hike to find this place! If you're a die-hard draft guy or gal and want to sample everything Richmond has to offer, it's worth it to give this place a try. Otherwise, you might want to stick to places closer to the city. The nifty thing about COTU here is the Biergarten outside (Beer Garden, for non-Germans), and it is certainly a beautiful place to enjoy a beer on a pleasant day. Speaking of beers, there are plenty to choose from of every variety and hoppiness. Your liver won't thank you for coming, though your taste buds will! Prices for said drafts are reasonable to boot. Service was what I would call average, no hints of pleasantness or unpleasantness, really. While nice days make for a nice outside drinking experience here, the interior is darkly lit and doesn't have much of an ambiance. Also, if you're looking for food, you're pretty much limited to the food truck that's on site most of the time, and the offerings they have are pricey. Honestly, if it's a beautiful day and you just want to drink some beers outside with friends and don't mind a hike to get here, go for it. Otherwise, you might be better off finding a restaurant closer in that happens to carry COTU beers. Not knocking the place at all, though it's quite a trip to make without any dinner options or bad-weather provisions. Overall: 3.0 stars ------------ Pros: - Great draft beer selection! They have something for beer drinkers of every background. - Biergarten is awesome, assuming you're there on a nice day. Cons: - It's quite a trip to get here. Put it this way, when you get to this general area, the only other traffic you see will be people coming to and leaving from COTU just like you are. - In bad weather, you'd have to drink inside, and it's pretty dark and uninviting in there. - Food options are limited to one food truck that hangs out near the Biergarten. I hope they consider trying to make some meals of their own available if enough of their patrons request it. Being able to pair some food with these beers would be awesome.

Catherine M.

Yelp
While visiting friends in Ashland, we found ourselves at the Center of the Universe for a quick drink on an extremely hot day. This brewery could be easily mistaken for something else, as it looks like an office building and is nestled near the highway by the RV park. It was a really hot day so we didn't give the patio a try but we did enjoy the indoors, though the number of kids there easily outweighed the number of adults. They have a cuban-esque food truck and service was nice. They seem to have bingo on Sundays at 2PM to win a flight, which I think is pretty unique. They didn't have a beer I would particularly enjoy, but some of my other friends did find things they liked (I like more of lighter, none IPA beer but hey, just me!)

Vicky G.

Yelp
Had a wonderful visit to COTU Saturday while visiting from VA Beach. My friends and I ordered flights so we could try all the beer options. I loved that they all had different distinct flavors that even a novice like myself could appreciate. The decor is a mix of concrete floors and copper infused bar tops with retro C shaped comfy red booths. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. We also enjoyed some Cuban food from a food truck that had a table set up when you walk in. I highly recommend you stop by for a beer and maybe the brew master will be there to share what he's currently cooking up at the Origin Beer Lab.

Mandy W.

Yelp
A good stop on the way down to Richmond from DC, would definitely stop in again! Good beer selection, great appetizers and food attached to it. They even have yoga next door. We tried the Freakin Nachos, and a flight of beers including Chin Music, Pochahoptas, Chameleon IPA, Oktoberfest, The Donny, Coffe Whip, Ray Ray's Front Porch, and Grain de Raisin. The beers were a cumulative 3.5 out of 5

Melanie H.

Yelp
We love COTU! It is definitely becoming a go to spot when the weather is nice on the patio. We love the beer and can take or pup! Note - The service at the bar can be hit or miss, hence the 4 star rating. Not always the bartender's fault, often it appears that people don't know where to go to get a beer and end up scattered everywhere feeling awkward and getting frustrated.

Chris F.

Yelp
This brewery has done a great job adapting to the Covid situation. We have stayed outside and they have provided fire pits. The beer is great and the is something for everybody's taste from lighter to dark and heavy. Now to the food, the Freekin Rican offers some great choices. Highly recommend the nachos with chorizo!!

Kai H.

Yelp
Interesting location between industrial and commercial buildings. Great amount of outside and inside seating. Brewery is kinda in the middle of nowhere so not a lot of traffic, at least the day I came. Beer is average at best. Nothing to rave about, unfortunately. But nice staff and good pricing.

Brenda B.

Yelp
What's happened to this place? It's been on a slow downward spiral for awhile now. The amazing long time staff seem to have disappeared only to be replaced by a bunch of unprofessional and unfriendly people. We've been three times in the last few months and each time we say we won't return but continue to give them another chance. Yesterday's visit will be our last one, for sure! Pulled into an almost empty parking lot at 3:00 on a Sunday and only one person sitting in the beer garden, this seemed weird to us. We went in and the place was slammed! Where did all these extremely loud folks come from? There was also screaming kids everywhere. There didn't appear to be any control or management in the house like it used to be, placed seemed more like a beer hall/bar from my days past. We ordered a beer from a not so friendly lady and went outside to escape the party that seemed to be going on. Sat outside for 30 minutes and never saw an employee come out to at least look around out there. In the past there was always someone walking around and keeping an eye on things. We went back inside and had our second beer (from yet another unsmiling or speaking young woman) at the bar and had to scream to hear each other to talk. Not your normal brewery atmosphere at all and not one smile from an employee, also their clientele seems to have changed. This saddens me as this place was always one of our go to breweries but no more!

Baylee S.

Yelp
Great place when you need a night out with your friends, they have great drinks and have competitions with pin ball machines(really fun to watch) also at sometimes they have life music so if you can't find a babysitter bring the kids along to sit and listen to the music. Another great thing about this that my family found cool was a windows where you could see how they make the drinks!! Would be 5 stars except it's really hard to find especially at night because it's next to a bunch of facilities, if you are ever near by come check this out fun for the whole family but mostly for u!

Rich S.

Yelp
I've become a regular here. And while I generally get the pocahoptus, I have managed to find a few others I really enjoy. Haven't had any issues with service, as most servers have been very friendly. I actually really really dig the vibe of this place so it's hard for me not to drop in for a pocahoptus when I'm passing by on 95. Sundays is bingo- play for a $20 gift card.

Mariah S.

Yelp
Don't come here just to drink good beer! Be sure to mingle with the COTU satellite group who are so darn friendly! We came here and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. The IV is fragrant and a touch sweet; a-maze balls! The Richard was very a good IPA with just a little bitterness at the tail end. Thanks to Dave for sharing a rhizome hop!

Raul M.

Yelp
I had a great time last Wednesday at Center of the Universe. Their beer is very good, and the prices are reasonable. I wish they would have some happy hour deals, but I know that it is not common for breweries.

Haley Alyssa J.

Yelp
It's a shame that this brewery is a bit off the beaten path for all the craft beer enthusiasts in Richmond, because I could see this being a very popular spot if it were a bit closer to the city. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, especially on the patio, without being surrounded by a crowd. After hearing people rave about the Pocahoptas I had to give it a try, and I agree that it's a good, mellow beer to enjoy with friends. The servers were enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their products, and while there is no food service on site, they do allow food trucks on the property. Overall, a great afternoon! I'll be back.

Alex T.

Yelp
I can't believe it took me so long to get out to this brewery! We recently moved to this side of town and have been meaning to check out COTU for awhile. Well over Labor Day Weekend we decided to stop by on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon and this place is amazing. Since we were only grabbing one we went with Chin Music which we both have had before (but really enjoy!) but they offer flight options and the sizes and price are reasonable. Large indoor space with tons of seating and what looks like a private section as well for larger groups or parties. They also have a row of pinball machines right as you walked in the door - my BF noticed this immediately! The space that gets me is the outdoor patio - it's incredible. Rows of picnic tables so plenty of seating with the outdoor area surrounded with ivy so there is some privacy from the highway. This space is great for kids or dogs (both were there when we went!) and it looks like they had a stage too for live music. They also had a food truck that seemed to be pretty popular as well. We will 100% be back and cannot wait to try all the beers they have on tap!

Chris P.

Yelp
The taproom was a decent size, and the servers were friendly. One of the surprises was the patio had fresh hops growing. The beer selection ranged from dark stouts to hoppy IPA's. One of my only gripes was you couldn't open a tab and had to pay after every purchase. They do not sell food but usually have food trucks on site to help with the munchies. If you're traveling on 95 and don't want to have to venture too far off it's a must stop.

Chris F.

Yelp
I've been a huge fan of the entire COTU lineup for for the past two or three years. My wife and I had the opportunity to visit the taproom in Ashland this weekend and it did not disappoint. The staff was polite and welcoming and the beers were delicious. Highly recommended!

Eric C.

Yelp
Stopped in on my way up 95. I try to make it a habit, on my way to Maryland from Florida, to find a brewery I've never been to before. Brought COTU up on my phone and made a pit stop to hit the can and try something new. It's a Friday around 7 and they've got some live music going on down from the bar in a separate area, but it's really loud. So much so that I can hardly hear the guy behind the bar and that's a drag because I want to talk about the beer and grab a few samples before I order a pint. So I just get a flight to check out 4 of their offerings. I get the Summer Raspberry Wheat ale, the White Russian Milk Stout (!?), the Kolsch and a Rum Barrel milk stout. They've got cute names for them just like everyone else, but I grab the flight and head outside to this cool seating area complete with food truck, what looks like a stage, a bunch of tables and some vined trellis's just to get away from the loud music. The beer was really good. The Kolsch was crisp and clean, very light on the hops. The White Russian thing was actually quite good. Nothing like an actual White Russian, but it did have a good sweetness to it and a subtle flavor that wasn't in your face but was nice and creamy. I really liked the Rasberry Wheat. I was expecting something like the Shocktop Raspberry Wheat but while the nose was the same, the malt backbone really came through and the Rasberry was really there, but without stealing the show. Finally, the Rum Barrel Milk Stout was very good with notes of figs, raisins and molasses, but without being boozy and they got the sweetness just right.

Darrell B.

Yelp
We stopped here for a quick beer on the way south from NYC to Florida. I saw their beer in a local store and figured, why not, we both love a good brewery. this is a nice little brewery with a medium sized indoor space and a nice patio area. They have a nice selection of beers and I had their IPA which I enjoyed a great deal. As it was an afternoon, it was still pretty quiet in there, but the staff was very friendly and gave us some excellent advice on where to explore on our next stop. Next time I go by, I will stop there again, and you should too.

Curtis M.

Yelp
New to the world of gose beer but so far I really dig it. Great atmosphere with classic arcade games and live music. Not sure who the singer is but he's playing Beatles, Neil Young, the Animals, and tons others. Totally worth getting off I-95 and paying a visit.

Melanie M.

Yelp
I could see this place being really fun on a nice evening. They have outdoor picnic tables and indoor picnic tables. Inside the place echos a lot and feels more like sitting in a garage. The beer is okay. I had the sampler and I like the Main Street brew the best. I'm not a fan of beers that are too bitter. They have food trucks come by depending on the night. During my time there a crepe truck was parked outside. The crepes were yummy, especially the sweet ones. Wish it wasn't about to rain, think I would've liked sitting outside.

Cara M.

Yelp
With Richmond being a great place for breweries, sub-par service is NOT the way to go about building your reputation. This was a very disappointing experience after being excited to visit this brewery. We came here after visiting another brewery. Pulled up, they've got a nice outdoor area with plenty of seating. We were there around 3:30/4:00 on a Saturday, but they were relatively empty (should've been a sign) and not much was going on. We walked in, a woman greeted us, and that's where it went downhill. The man who served us was super short, got an attitude with one of us regarding having our ID's out - mind you, we hadn't even looked at the board with the beers before he started chastising my bf for not pulling his ID out...even though he wasn't planning on getting a beer. Listen, I get, probably more than most, the importance of making sure you're serving people of drinking age. But there is definitely a way to go about it while still being pleasant. Not to mention, again - they were NOT busy. There was no one behind us and we hadn't even had a chance to read the descriptions. After the rest of us ordered, my friend asked if he could start a tab, and with a 'tude (of course) were told that they don't do tabs. After visiting a pretty good amount of breweries, all of them allowed you to run a tab. Honestly, I don't understand why you wouldn't...I feel like you'd do more business if people didn't have to close out every time they wanted a drink, especially when there's a good size group. Anyways, super disappointed with the service we received. I can't even remember what I got to drink because everything I tried was just unimpressive. Will not be back.

Linda S.

Yelp
I rarely drink beer but I have visited COTU several times with a local friend who's a brewer. I like their beer, especially the Scotchtown. Justin (I think) waited on us this past Saturday and he was awesome. Not a fan of pinball machines (why?) but other than that the atmosphere is nice. There's plenty of outdoor seating, too.

Chrystalle B.

Yelp
We stopped here on the way back from OBX. Like most breweries, this one is in an industrial area and will require the help of Google Maps or the like to find it. Once you're there, plan to stay a while. We sat at the inside bar, but their patio was really nice and large. This seems to be a popular spot for beer loving parents with kids. Inside, there was plenty of seating, games, and even bowls with mini snack bags. They only had 8 beers on when we visited, but you know what they say: 8 is enough. I love that the owners incorporated both of their former careers into some of the packaging. While my husband enjoyed the Chin Music, and amber lager brewed for the local AA Giants team, I really enjoyed the Ray Ray's (Pale Ale), Pocahoptas (IPA), and Oktoberfest. In fact, their Ray Ray's is also on our list of Orioles themed beers that we bring down to FL for the O's fan in our family. We very much enjoyed our afternoon and I plan to visit again with my beer group. Really glad that they got distribution up in NoVA. If you visit and they have the 'Orange is the new Stout' on, do yourself a favor and get one. So good.

Thomas S.

Yelp
Richmond is known for its great beer scene. If your in the area should definitely stop in and check this place out. All their beer is really good. My favorite was the summer moon raspberry wheat ale.

Danette M.

Yelp
Great food, great beer, great prices! Enjoyed being in a place without TVs blaring - easy to talk to companions, enjoy the food, toast our fun. Highly recommend!

Ed C.

Yelp
Always good seasonal beers. Crowd is adults. Food is from rotating food trucks. Great outdoor beer garden when it gets warm

Chris K.

Yelp
This was a fun place with some great atmosphere. Staff was friendly and attentive, and the beer was OK. Nothing I particularly liked, but I'm not a big beer person. They don't serve food, but they did have a food truck outside, so they had that as a food option. They also had music going on and a lively outside patio area - as well as a large cornhole tournament going on off to the side of the patio area. All around a nice place to hang out and a lively crowd. Worth a visit!

Tammy L.

Yelp
Drove two hours to try this place out. The beers are great and there is such a fun atmosphere. These guys make a fantastic team and made our visit even better!