Local microbrewery fans were devastated this March when The Morgantown Brewing Company on University Avenue closed. Notably, that space building housed the first brew pub in West Virginia. The One Onion Brewery opened there in 1992, shortly after state legislation passed that allowed small breweries to sell their wares directly to consumers in addition to wholesale distributors.
Over the last 32 years, the brew pub on University has been owned by different people and gone by different names, but it has always held a special place in West Virginia’s brewing history.
When owners Chris DeFazio and Cody Cheesbrough stepped back earlier this year, some familiar faces circled back to keep the brew pub streak going. Art and Katie Gallagher, who operated in the space until 2018, were quick to set up another iteration.
The Brew Pub, as it is now aptly called, opened in July with a full menu of appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches. Brewing can resume when the proper federal licenses come through, but there is a full bar with domestic beer, liquor and sangria on tap to fill the gap.
In-house entertainment and community events make The Brew Pub a one-stop destination for a night out. The venue is reintroducing favorite traditions like Sunday night Team Trivia and old-time music jams, where individuals can gather to play music together. On Saturday, comedian Gabbie Watts will take the stage, adding to the dynamic lineup of events. For those looking for something a bit more interactive, there are bingo nights, darts, karaoke and foosball.
The Brew Pub’s kitchen is open from 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from noon-10 p.m. on weekends. The bar remains open until midnight or later, depending on business. Whether you’re in the mood for a meal, a drink, or a night of entertainment, The Brew Pub is ready to welcome you back with open arms.
Eva Murphy is a freelance business writer for The Dominion Post. She writes a column on businesses, churches and other entities in the city. To suggest a topic, email her at DPNews@DominionPost.com.
