Mad [beer] Scientists at work!
Origin Beer Lab was built for research, development, and teaching of all things beer. As our sister company Center of the Universe Brewing Company (COTU) increases its distribution footprint in Virginia, it is important to us that we are able to continually tweak, enhance, and create new beers. Origin allows COTU more room and an adequate pilot system to do this on. At Origin, we'll be tweaking recipes, creating new ones, and experimenting with sours on a system that is completely scaleable.
One of the reasons we love making beer is experimenting with new flavors and techniques. Origin will allow our brewers to explore some innovative and creative brewing without impacting the capacity of our current operation. Our inner nerds are very excited!
About Brewing Capacity and Products
Origin will be able to produce about 300 bbls of beer annually using a completely electric 3 bbl brewing system. The system is paired with six 3 bbl fermenters and one 3bbl brite tank. We will also have room for a sour and barrel aging area to experiment with some more wild and ambitious yeasts that we do not currently use at COTU.
We will feature a maximum of 8 beers on draft and the only place to try these beers will be on site. There will be no transferring of beers between the two breweries and none of the product will be going out for distribution.
One of the reasons we love making beer is experimenting with new flavors and techniques. Origin will allow our brewers to explore some innovative and creative brewing without impacting the capacity of our current operation. Our inner nerds are very excited!
About Brewing Capacity and Products
Origin will be able to produce about 300 bbls of beer annually using a completely electric 3 bbl brewing system. The system is paired with six 3 bbl fermenters and one 3bbl brite tank. We will also have room for a sour and barrel aging area to experiment with some more wild and ambitious yeasts that we do not currently use at COTU.
We will feature a maximum of 8 beers on draft and the only place to try these beers will be on site. There will be no transferring of beers between the two breweries and none of the product will be going out for distribution.
About Our Building
J. G. Huges Drugstore
After graduating from the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) School of Pharmacy, James Goodrich (J.G.) Hughes moved to Ashland from Cumberland County, VA. He opened Hughes Drug and married Nannie B. Luckett in 1889. Pharmacists of this era mixed chemicals and natural products by hand to make drugs in liquid or pill form often containing alcohol, morphine, cocaine or opium. He also sold perfumes, stationery, college books, kerosene lamps and fine toiletries, and many other items.
In 1901, J.G. moved the store from England St. to a two-story brick building he built at 106 South Railroad Ave. The Hughes name is carved into a cement plaque at the roofline. He built a similar building next door, which housed the post office for many years. For the next 84 years, the drugstore was a fixture in Ashland.
In the 1950’s, J.G.’s son, Thomas Watkins Ligon Hughes (“Doc”) took over operation of Hughes Drug. During Doc’s time, miracle drugs like antibiotics became commonplace. Doc and his wife Evelyn (Christian) were well-known in Ashland.
Their second son, David, met his future wife, Connie Bull, while both worked at the drugstore as young adults. David joined Doc as a pharmacist in the family business in 1959, after graduating from MCV.
David and Connie renovated Hughes Drug and brought it into the modern era of Valium, beta-blockers, and birth control pills. At the soda fountain, popular items included limeades, Castlebury’s BBQ, Sealtest ice cream and milkshakes. Folks also stopped by for the latest magazines, some toothpaste or Miss Clairol, and to chat with neighbors. Hughes Drug closed in 1985, after 96 years of serving the Ashland community. Many Ashlanders fondly remember the personal attention given to their medical needs as well as the great limeades.