Below are our current to-go, Beer Garden, and inside hours, as well as our Phase 3 rules and regulations. Thank you for your support during this time as we navigate these uncharted waters with our compass remaining pointed towards the safety of both our guests and staff.
Center of the Universe Brewing Company is looking for a highly motivated, organized, and outgoing person to fill the role of Taproom General Manager at the brewery. All qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to careers@cotubrewing.com. Applications will be accepted until April 11th. Once the application period is closed, prospective applicants will be contacted to set up the first interview.
Job Description
The Front of the House Manager is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations within the Center of the Universe Taproom. This includes building brand awareness and exceeding guest expectations by working with ownership and through the staff to enhance sales, service, and visitor experience.
Responsibilities
The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.
Staffing
Hire, train, and supervise the Tasting Room Team.
Maintain a server/floor manager schedule extending at least 2 weeks out.
Create a positive and respectful work environment for the tasting room staff, by leading through example, consistent with Center of the Universe’s values.
Support and provide guidance for the team and ensure adherence to all policies, procedures, and Virginia ABC regulations.
Generate and send out a weekly staff newsletter.
Work closely with the floor managers to ensure they are completing table visits, motivaing the staff, creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment, and are aware of all upcoming beer releases and events.
In addition to scheduled tasting room shifts, make sporadic mid-shift pop-ins to ensure the level of service is consistent with brewery policy.
Meet with floor managers and ownership weekly to go over sales, issues, upcoming events, etc.
Conduct performance evaluations and handles discipline and/or termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
Sales
Support and monitor the Tasting Room sales.
Invent, create, and execute revenue generating tasting room events/leagues.
Maintain a clean and accurate POS system and library.
Daily review of closing manager paperwork and weekly summary submittal to accounting.
Tally weekly inventories of all beer and non-beer items and compare them to the square inventory. Report any discrepancies to ownership and address any issues with both the floor managers and servers.
Execute PO’s with the back of the house to ensure appropriate volumes are on hand.
Handle all private event requests and inquiries as well as actively solicit businesses and clients for private event rentals.
Handle all band and/or other entertainment bookings at the brewery in accordance with brewery policy.
Handle all swag and glassware orders and design and maintain par levels.
Marketing
Maintain social media presence on both Instagram and Facebook.
Generate and send out a monthly patron newsletter.
Hold monthly Satellite meetings and ensure the program is being executed to its highest potential.
Ensure that all posters in the brewery are up to date. Report any poster needs to ownership.
Attend monthly tourism meetings with Richmond Tourism.
Post brewery events to free online calendars.
Answer all taproom related emails, phone calls, and social media messages in a timely manner, including complaints or other issues.
Working Conditions
Regular working schedule to include weekends, nights, and holidays.
Long and irregular hours during special events.
Moderate to heavy physical work (moving kegs, cases, and retail supplies, setting up for special events)
Will work in a tasting room setting.
Standing for long periods of time.
Ability to lift at least 50 lbs
Website updates as related to events.
Requirements
Education: High School (Bachelor’s degree or equivalence preferred)
Experience: Two or more years of hospitality or retail management experience, including event planning. Supervisory experience preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong analytical, math skills, and proficiency using technology (Microsoft office, iPAD, and the internet)
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through on projects
Enthusiasm for craft beer in general and Center of the Universe Brewing Co. and its products in particular.
Relaxed, friendly, enthusiastic and professional demeanor.
Able to interact effectively with management and staff as well as other agencies/ food trucks/bands/customers
Compensation
Salary BOE
Subsidized Heath Care
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
401k (requires 1 year of work prior to eligibility)
Are your company virtual happy hours getting a little stale? Still trying to figure out what to do for a corporate party this year? Finding it difficult to meaningfully engage with your customers online? Let us help! We are now offering virtual custom curated beer pairings live via zoom, or any other customer provided virtual meeting platform. Check out below for how it works!
Step 1 – Email info@COTUBrewing.com to get connected with your sampling tour guide.
Step 2 – Decide on a date/time/meeting platform for your event.
Step 3 – Create and send out an invitation to your guests.
Step 4 – Collaborate with a COTU team member on your ideal mix 4-pack of 16oz cans. 4-packs can include both year-round and seasonal/limited offerings.
Step 5 – Pickup your custom mix 4-packs from the brewery and deliver them to your guests.
Step 6 – Start your event!
F&Q’s
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Cost depends on the amount of 4-packs that are needed for the event. Each 4-pack costs $15 each. There is a minimum of a $500 purchase required for a 30 minute live tasting. This purchase can be a combination of beer, gift cards, or swag for giveaways during your event.
Q: Can you ship the beer to my attendees?
A: Center of the Universe is permitted to ship via UPS within the state of Virginia and DC. We are not permitted to ship outside of this area. Additional fees are associated with any shipment.
Q: What days/times can I schedule my virtual sampling?
A: Samplings are scheduled based upon our staff’s availability, but we make every effort to accommodate your desired event date. There is an additional fee for Friday – Sunday event dates.
Q: Who will be running my tasting?
A: All tastings will be run by either a full-time production team member, or a member of management. Either way, you will have someone who is well versed in all things beer, especially COTU beer! You will know who will be running your tasting at the time you book your event.
Q: Is there a way that I can do this in person at the brewery instead of virtually?
A: Yes! We have a private events room at the brewery that features its own bar, bathroom, and A/V equipment (projector, microphones, drop down screen). This arrangement would require a private room rental, which is separate from the virtual samplings.
Still have more questions? Please email info@cotubrewing.com.
The leaves are starting to change and there is a nighttime nip in the air! That can only mean one thing, it’s camping season and Center of the Universe is jumping into the spirit with both feet (and a pint in hand). Starting October 9th, Camp COTU will be in full swing in the outdoor beer garden.
“Camp COTU” will feature local and regional storytellers and performers from all around the commonwealth every Saturday at their “Campfire Stories.” Local legends, ghost stories, and personal triumphs are just a few of the topics that will be covered. Stop by on any Thursday for “Roundups,” which will feature local musicians, as well as cleaned and sanitized hand instruments for patrons to join in on a good ol’ fashion sing along. Arts and crafts kits will be available at all times, and even the resident food provider, Freekin’ Rican, will be churning out some campsite classics like chili and cornbread and fire roasted hot dogs and baked beans. Lastly, to round out Camp COTU, Center of the Universe has collaborated with Origin Beer Lab to produce 2 different brews. One is a Marshmallow and Graham Cracker Whip, and the other, a Double Chocolate Whip. Each brew can be enjoyed on its own, or poured together resulting in a classic S’more brew.
Camp COTU will provide a relaxing, safe, and enjoyable space to sip on some suds and stay warm by the fire as we head into cooler weather. Check out all the fun happenings in the outdoor lovers dream drinkin’ spot! Be sure to tag us (@COTUbrew) in your Camp COTU photos on social media, and use the hashtag #CampCOTU
*Camp COTU is 21+ only (no infants, toddlers, little kids, or big kids please) and currently a dog free zone.
Seating
7 Gas Fire Pits w/Camping Chairs
8 Lantern Lit Pergola Picnic Tables
Activities
*Check out our Facebook page for dates and times.
Arts and Crafts: Daily
Friendship Bracelets
Ceramic Painting
More to Come!
Entertainment
*Check our Facebook page for details on storytelling sessions.
In addition to our regular health and safety practices, we will be instituting the following staff requirements:
All staff will have a wellness check before each. shift, including taking their temperature.
All staff will be wearing face masks and gloves.
In addition to regular hand washing, all staff will be washing their hands and changing their gloves immediately after clearing a table, prior to visiting other guests.
Regular sanitizing of shared surfaces including door handles.
Beer Garden Rules
Guests who are feeling ill, or who have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should not visit the brewery and remain at home for at least 14 days.
Only patrons 21+ allowed. No children/babies/infants are permitted at the brewery at this time.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the grounds.
You will have to see a host/hostess to be seated upon arrival. All tables are offered on a first come first served basis.
Once seated, you are not permitted to get up to congregate, walk around, or visit other tables.
No more than 10 guests are permitted to sit together at one table.
No loitering in the parking lot or any other areas.
Credit card or gift card payments only. We will not be accepting cash payments.
No tipping. All serving staff is on salary, so you will not be handed the IPad to sign or add a tip to your transactions.
Mask are required for any visitors that wish to use the indoor restrooms at the brewery and strongly recommended until you are seated at your table.
As long as our patrons and staff are able to adhere to these rules, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience as we ease into opening. COTU reserves the right to shut down its Beer Garden at any time should there be issues with compliance or overcrowding. So, let’s all do our part to be safe.
If you are in the hospitality industry, we ask that you join us in writing our elected officials during this difficult time.
My name is Phillip Ray. Together with my brother, Chris, I own and operate Center of the Universe Brewing Company and Origin Beer Lab located in Ashland, Virginia. My brother and I rely on the staff of our small business for our livelihoods and they rely on us for theirs. We made a deal with them: they trade us their most precious commodity, their time; and in return, we offer them a safe and reliable place to work, a benefits package that provides health care in case of illness, a savings plan for their futures, a fair livable wage and a comfortable work – life balance. This week we are forced to break that deal.
This is by no means the first time our small business has faced hardships, but this is an unprecedented situation – one which I do not believe we can survive without your help. We have lost two of the three markets where our goods are sold and our revenues have been cut by 70% because of this. I am writing today to ask for your help. I am asking for you to help not just our business, but the 30 million small businesses in this country who are suffering.
Now is the time to help the workers in this country who contribute the most to the economy and receive the least amount of remuneration for their efforts. Now is not the time to send multibillion dollar bailout packages to multibillion dollar corporations. Those companies received their bailouts in 2018 with the historic corporate tax cut you voted into law. The result of that bailout was not improved salaries, increased benefits packages, or even a safety net for workers or the companies themselves. Instead, the corporations you bailed out participated in record stock buy backs and paid massive dividends to their shareholders. They used their bailouts for the benefit of a few wealthy stakeholders. Now, when crisis hits, they want you to use taxpayer money to bail them out again.
This is the definition of privatizing profits and socializing losses. For far too long, this country has asked the most financially vulnerable among us to bear the brunt of the fiscal pain when disaster strikes and reap the fewest rewards when the economy is booming. This crisis has proven to be no exception.
Small businesses in this country are often inefficient and ours is no exception. This inefficiency is exactly what keeps the economy moving. We spend the majority of our budgets on humanpower and earn razor thin margins. Our revenues do not sit in our checking accounts or investment accounts or in our own stock ownership. We do not have executive payrolls or massive lobbying budgets. We earn and spend our money locally, benefiting the greater economy not just our own.
We are the businesses that drive the economy. I call on you now to see past your campaign contributors, fundraising sponsors, and lobbyists and start representing the voters of this country. Do not fail us again.
Pass legislation that immediately puts money into the hands of small businesses and working Americans. Pass legislation that guarantees every American access to health care. Pass legislation guaranteeing all Americans with a full time job can support their families. Pass legislation that protects every American during times of crisis. I call on you to pass these laws and to pass them today. This is the deal you made with the American people when you asked for our votes. Now is the time to honor that deal.
Faithfully,
Phillip Ray
Co-Founder, Center of the Universe Brewing Company & Origin Beer Lab
Saturday, March 7th will bring back a taproom favorite and the first Satellite-brewed beer that was ever released in 16oz 4pack cans! Satellites Rewards is our our FREE membership program, and each year the top earning Satellites get to brew whatever beer they choose at Origin Beer Lab. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Porter, dreamed up and brewed by Satellite Rewards Members and father-daughter pair Rand & Amanda, is a delicious 6.5% ABV beer brewed with vanilla & cinnamon.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Porter was constructed using Maris Otter, Flaked Oats and Barley, Carafa 3 Dehusked, Crystal 90, and Double Roasted Crystal malts. Chinook hops round out the flavor and the additon of vanilla and cinnamon make for the perfect cookie inspired brew!
Center of the Universe is proud to host the 6th Annual St. Paddy’s Day Celebration to support the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, an organization which has been providing lifesaving childrens cancer research since the year 2000. This FREE celebration is open to the public and will take place from 12pm-10pm on Saturday, March 7th. Bring your green hat, high spirits, and thirst for FUN. Below are a few more details on the event:
🍀 Raffle Prizes (all proceeds benefit St. Baldricks)
💚 Special Beer – Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Porter Release
This taproom favorite, brewed with vanilla and cinnamon, makes for the perfect cookie inspired brew. This beer will pair wonderfully with some of the Irish inspired food items available at the event.
As if you needed another excuse to drink beer, eat great food, listen to live music, and raise money for a very worthy cause!
🍫🍻❤️ Don’t wait until the last minute to go shopping for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day… Or better yet, why not celebrate early at the 2nd Annual COTU Chocolate Fest! This intimate setting will feature some of Richmond’s finest chocolatiers alongside handcrafted jewelry, artisan gifts, and live music in our Private Events room. The Freekin’ Rican – Puerto Rican Food Carts & Catering will provide a light menu for the day as well as some chocolatey treats. Come see us as we celebrate the love of chocolate, beer, and the people we share them with!
What makes the day even sweeter? We will also be releasing The Box of Chocolates Stout, an annual favorite, along with 5 delicious variants for some serious pre-Valentine’s Day fun. The Virginia Lottery will be on site with games and giveaways as well as chances to win cash & prizes 🍫🍻❤️
Ladies and gentlemen, grab your lederhosen and your beer steins! 2 Days of Oktoberfest celebration return to Center of the Universe Brewing Co. on September 27th and 28th. This FREE event is open to all and will feature traditional live German music, German inspired food, German style brews, The 2019 Das Bier Run and a few other fun surprises!
🔶🔷 Day 1: Friday, September 27th 4:00pm – 10:00pm 🔷🔶
Friday, September 27th, the taproom will be transformed into a traditional German festhalle! Come grab a stein of our malty, refreshing Oktoberfest beer, throw on your lederhosen and dance the polka with The LOW’n’BROWS who will be taking the biergarten stage for a day of nonstop German music, food and beer! Read on below for 2 Days of German fun. Prost!
The LOW’n’BROWS are a German “Oompah” Band out of Fredericksburg who have been playing professionally as a group for over 21 years specializing in polkas, waltzes and other traditional “hofbrauhaus” music. Their upbeat traditional German tunes are sure to delight those who enjoy singing and dancing of all ages!
The Low’n’Brows will be playing from 4:00pm – 9:00pm
🔶🔷 Day 2: Saturday, September 28th 12:00pm – 10:00pm 🔷🔶
Saturday, September 28th, the taproom will be transformed into a traditional German festhalle and the 2019 Das Bier Run will take place early in the day! Come grab a stein of our malty, refreshing Oktoberfest beer, throw on your lederhosen and dance the polka with ACCA (Shrine) Temple Sauerkrauts German Band who will be taking the biergarten stage for a day of nonstop German music, food and beer! Read on below for 2 Days of German fun. Prost!
The ACCA (Shrine) Temple Sauerkrauts German Band are no stranger to the Richmond Oktoberfest scene! The Sauerkrauts, an all-volunteer band, have been playing together since 1977, with the proceeds from performances benefitting families of patients at the Shriners Childrens Hospital.
The Sauerkrauts will be playing from 12:00pm – 5:00pm
🔶🔷 THE BEER 🔷🔶
Center of the Universe’s Oktoberfest is our take on the classic Munich fest biers. German Munich and Vienna malts are used to give the beer a slightly sweet and malty flavor with some toasted notes as well. Noble German hops were added during the boil, adding just enough bitterness to balance out the flavors of the malt. We then chose a Czech yeast strain that accentuated the malt and fermented nice and clean. After fermentation COTU Oktoberfest went through an extended cold conditioning period known as lagering. After lagering, the beer was filtered, removing any yeast that had not yet dropped out naturally. COTU Oktoberfest is malty, clean and refreshing. Golden to amber in color, we think our Oktoberfest would be right at home in the festival tents of Munich. Or Virginia. Prost!
DAS BIER RUN: We’ve got the steins if you’ve got the time! Plus incredible beer to fill them with, too. It’s OKTOBERFEST time again and Center of the Universe Brewing is throwing a party and then some!
Start the day with our DAS BIER RUN. Grab your buddies and make a team of either 2 or 4 people….. Or take a shot at the SOLO CHALLENGE!
We’ll have a MASS start at 11:00 am in front of our brewery.
Teams: Each team will do what it takes to do 4 of our 1 MILE Laps. At the completion of each lap, you will check in & hand off your baton to the next team member.
Solo: Easy! Run 4 laps…. you will have to check in with each lap!
Get in TODAY. Once a wave fills, we move to the next wave pricing.
SWAG:
– STEIN – That’s right….. ONE SUPER SIZED STEIN…. You need something to drink our beer in… So here ya go!
– T-SHIRT
– More fun stuff coming soon!
REGISTRATION & PRICING
1. RELAY TEAM (4 & 2-PERSON) – TEAM CAPTAIN WILL REGISTER FOR EITHER 2 OR 4 PERSON TEAM, then on next page CREATE A NEW TEAM, and then PAY for Team.
-Team members will need to register by visiting our registration page and clicking on whichever your team captain registered for (2 or 4 person), then on next page JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM using your team captain’s information. (You will not be charged. You’ll just have to repay your Team Captain.)
2. SOLO – Go Ahead… What are you waiting for? Anytime you are ready…..GO!
PRICING….. (see below) is based on Waves of 20 ENTRIES. Once those 20 are filled, pricing moves to next wave.
4-Person Relay Team Pricing:
WAVE 1 – $85 : 4-person team ($21.25/person)(80 participants)
WAVE 2 – $100 : 4-person team ($25/person)
WAVE 3 – $115 : 4-person team ($30/person) TIL RACE CAPACITY
2-Person Relay Team Pricing:
WAVE 1 – $50 : 2-person team ($25/person)(30 participants)
WAVE 2 – $60 : 2-person team ($30/person)
WAVE 3 – $70 : 2-person team ($35/person)TIL RACE CAPACITY
We’ve got the steins if you’ve got the time! Plus incredible beer to fill them with, too. It’s OKTOBERFEST time again and Center of the Universe Brewing is throwing a party and then some!
Start the day with our DAS BIER RUN. Grab your buddies and make a team of either 2 or 4 people….. Or take a shot at the SOLO CHALLENGE!
We’ll have a MASS start at 11:00 am in front of our brewery.
Teams: Each team will do what it takes to do 4 of our 1 MILE Laps. At the completion of each lap, you will check in & hand off your baton to the next team member.
Solo: Easy! Run 4 laps…. you will have to check in with each lap!
Get in TODAY. Once a wave fills, we move to the next wave pricing.
SWAG:
STEIN – That’s right….. ONE SUPER SIZED STEIN… You need something to drink our beer in… So here ya go!
T-SHIRT
More fun stuff coming soon!
REGISTRATION & PRICING
RELAY TEAM (4 & 2-PERSON) – TEAM CAPTAIN WILL REGISTER FOR EITHER 2 OR 4 PERSON TEAM, then on next page CREATE A NEW TEAM, and then PAY for Team.
-Team members will need to register by visiting our registration page and clicking on whichever your team captain registered for (2 or 4 person), then on next page JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM using your team captain’s information. (You will not be charged. You’ll just have to repay your Team Captain.)
SOLO – Go Ahead… What are you waiting for? Anytime you are ready…..GO!
PRICING….. (see below) is based on Waves of 20 ENTRIES. Once those 20 are filled, pricing moves to next wave.
4-Person Relay Team Pricing:
WAVE 1 – $85 : 4-person team ($21.25/person)(80 participants) WAVE 2 – $100 : 4-person team ($25/person) WAVE 3 – $115 : 4-person team ($30/person) TIL RACE CAPACITY
2-Person Relay Team Pricing:
WAVE 1 – $50 : 2-person team ($25/person)(30 participants) WAVE 2 – $60 : 2-person team ($30/person) WAVE 3 – $70 : 2-person team ($35/person)TIL RACE CAPACITY
Back by popular demand, Beer, Bingo and Bloodies is here to stay on Sunday afternoons. Enjoy a little pick me up from a beer bloody and try your luck at our hourly bingo game for a chance to win COTU swag and prizes. Win Sundays by having your fun and drinking it too!
