New Kent County's own wine and cider scene is one of the best-kept secrets in Virginia — but just 30 minutes northwest through Mechanicsville, there's another reason to raise a glass. Center of the Universe Brewing Company, tucked into the historic railroad town of Ashland, has been quietly building a reputation as one of the most respected craft breweries in central Virginia. It was founded by two brothers, one of whom spent years throwing major-league fastballs before deciding his next chapter would involve hops instead of home plate.
For New Kent locals, COTU (as regulars call it) has become a go-to destination when the craving shifts from wine to beer — or when someone visiting from out of town wants to experience something uniquely Virginia without the drive to Richmond proper. It's the kind of place that feels like a neighborhood living room if that living room happened to have 5,000 square feet of taproom, a sprawling beer garden, and a tap list that changes with the seasons.
How a Major League Pitcher Built a Virginia Brewery
Chris Ray spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball, pitching for the Baltimore Rangers, Texas Rangers, and San Francisco Giants. When injuries ended his playing career, he and his brother Phil turned a shared homebrewing obsession into a business. They started brewing together in 2009, and by 2012 Center of the Universe was pouring its first pints in Ashland — a small town on Route 1 with a historic downtown, a Amtrak station, and a fierce sense of local pride.
The brewery started as a production facility and taproom, but it quickly became a community anchor. Locals came for the beer and stayed for the atmosphere — a spacious taproom with exposed brewing tanks, high ceilings, and the kind of unpretentious warmth that makes first-timers feel like regulars by their second visit. The outdoor beer garden, framed by hop vines and string lights, became one of the most popular warm-weather gathering spots in Hanover County.
What sets COTU apart isn't just the backstory. It's the commitment to all-natural, traditional brewing methods — whole ingredients, no shortcuts — and a tap list that balances approachable crowd-pleasers with experimental one-offs. The brewery has earned recognition at the World Beer Cup, the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup, and in publications like Style Weekly and RVA Magazine. But on any given evening, you're more likely to find a group of friends sharing a flight at a picnic table than anyone talking about awards.
The beer garden at COTU in Ashland — one of the best outdoor drinking spots in the Richmond metro area.
What Are the Best Beers at Center of the Universe?
COTU's tap list rotates with the seasons, but a core lineup of award-winners keeps regulars coming back. If you're visiting for the first time, the flight is the move — a sampler of four or five pours that gives you a feel for the range. Here are the beers that have earned COTU its reputation.
Ray Ray's Pale Ale
American Pale Ale · 5.2% ABV
The flagship — a clean, balanced pale ale that put COTU on the map. Named after co-founder Chris Ray, it's the kind of beer that converts non-beer-drinkers. Bright citrus hop aroma, a light malt backbone, and a finish that makes you reach for another sip before you realize the glass is empty.
Pocahoptas IPA
English/American IPA
A Virginia-inspired name for a Virginia-brewed IPA. This one won Silver at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup and strikes a middle ground between the hop-forward West Coast style and the more malt-balanced English tradition. It's approachable for IPA newcomers but complex enough for hop heads.
The Bald Irishman Gold
Irish-Style Red Ale
A World Beer Cup 2018 award winner — smooth, malty, and dangerously easy to drink. Toasty caramel notes with a clean finish that makes it the perfect pint for a long afternoon on the patio. This is the beer that earned COTU national recognition.
Chic Saison
Belgian-Style Farmhouse Ale
A light, refreshing saison with hints of pepper, citrus, and clove. It won Silver at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup and is the ideal warm-weather beer. If you only drink one style in summer, this should be it.
Orange is the New Stout
Flavored Stout
A cult favorite with a name that catches people off guard. Rich, roasty stout character brightened by natural orange peel — think chocolate orange in a glass. It's the beer that gets people talking and coming back for growler fills.
Beyond the core lineup, COTU is known for seasonal and experimental releases that show up on the tap board with little warning and big flavor. The brewery also expanded with Origin Beer Lab — a second production facility and taproom in Ashland dedicated to small-batch experimentation and creative brewing. If you're the kind of person who orders the most interesting thing on the menu, Origin is where you want to be.
What's the Atmosphere Like at COTU?
Walk through the door on a Friday afternoon and you'll understand immediately why people drive from New Kent and Mechanicsville to get here. The taproom is open and airy — high ceilings, concrete floors, brewing equipment visible through glass partitions — but it doesn't feel industrial. Warm wood tones, local art on the walls, and the hum of conversation make it feel like the kind of place where you can stay for two hours without realizing time passed.
Outside, the beer garden is the real draw from spring through fall. Long picnic tables, hop vines climbing trellises, and string lights draped between posts create a space that feels more like a backyard party than a commercial establishment. On weekend evenings, live music plays from a small stage while food trucks set up along the edge of the patio. Families with kids spread out on blankets, couples share flights at high-tops, and groups of friends linger over growler fills. It's unhurried, unpretentious, and genuinely welcoming.
For military families new to the area — whether you've just PCS'd to Fort Lee, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, or Naval Weapons Station Yorktown — COTU is the kind of spot that helps you feel rooted. The staff is friendly without being overbearing, the crowd is a mix of locals and transplants, and there's no dress code, no attitude, and no pressure to order anything other than what sounds good. It's the Virginia equivalent of a neighborhood pub, just with better beer.
When Should You Visit?
COTU opens at 4 PM on weekdays and noon on weekends — a schedule designed around the after-work and weekend crowd. If you want the full experience with the least wait, Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the sweet spot. The beer garden fills up fast on warm evenings, so arriving by 2 PM on a weekend gives you first pick of the best seats.
Weekday evenings have their own charm — smaller crowds, more room to talk to the bartenders about what's new on tap, and a more intimate feel. If you're coming from New Kent, the drive through Mechanicsville on Route 360 is straightforward and scenic, especially in the late afternoon when the light hits the Hanover countryside just right.
Hours & Location
Getting There from New Kent
From New Kent, head northwest on I-64 to Mechanicsville, then take Route 360 (Mechanicsville Turnpike) north through Hanover and into Ashland. The drive takes about 30 minutes without traffic. Once in Ashland, COTU is on Air Park Road just off Route 1 — easy to find, with free parking in the lot. If you're coming from the Quinton or Lanexa side, you can also take Route 60 west through New Kent to Route 301 north, which connects to Route 1 and Ashland.
Why New Kent Locals Keep Driving to Ashland for This Brewery
New Kent County has its own exceptional lineup of wineries, cider houses, and Talleysville Brewing at New Kent Winery. So why do locals also make the drive to COTU? Because it scratches a different itch. The beer garden atmosphere is more casual and communal than most tasting rooms. The tap list leans into classic styles executed with precision — clean pales, balanced IPAs, rich stouts — rather than the fruit-forward wine profiles that dominate the New Kent scene. And the food truck rotation gives you a reason to show up on a random Tuesday just to see what's cooking.
There's also something to be said for the novelty factor. Ashland is a genuinely charming small town — its downtown is walkable, its Amtrak station is one of the few in the region, and its sense of community pride is infectious. Pair that with an award-winning brewery run by people who care about craft, and you've got a day trip that's worth putting on the calendar.
For New Kent's growing population of military families and remote workers, COTU represents something important: proof that the Richmond metro area's craft beer culture isn't just a Scott's Addition thing. Good beer, good people, and a genuine sense of community exist 30 minutes in any direction from New Kent — and Center of the Universe is one of the best examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Center of the Universe Brewing pet-friendly?
Yes — the beer garden is welcoming to well-behaved dogs on leash. Water bowls are usually available at the bar. Inside seating policies may vary, so check with the staff when you arrive.
Does COTU serve food?
The taproom hosts rotating food trucks on a regular schedule, and they often post the lineup on their social media pages. You're also welcome to bring your own snacks or order delivery — the laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to settle in for a long afternoon.
How far is COTU from New Kent County?
Center of the Universe Brewing is about 30 minutes northwest of New Kent via Route 360 through Mechanicsville and then Route 1 into Ashland. It's a straight shot through Hanover County — no highway detours required. If you're already heading toward Richmond, Ashland is just a few minutes past Mechanicsville.
Do they sell cans or growlers to go?
Yes. COTU offers cans and growler fills of their core lineup and seasonal releases. It's a great way to bring a few favorites home without making the drive twice a week.
Is there live music at COTU?
COTU regularly hosts live music, especially on weekend evenings. Check their events calendar on their website or social media for the current schedule. The beer garden stage makes for a relaxed, no-cover outdoor concert experience.
