Cville Buzz’s ace reporter, Sherman Shifflett, has uncovered another eating establishment worthy of our attention – the Brew House in Blackstone. Here is Sherman’s account of the experience.
“Ava Pippin and I don’t travel much on holidays because there is too much traffic. We may take a short drive on the holiday itself, because traffic is light. Last July 4, 2018. we meandered around the country side and would up in Front Royal, where we had lunch at the Blue Wing Frog. It was good.
On July 4, 2019, we took off in the opposite direction, with no destination in mind. We took Rt. 522 from Cuckoo (in Louisa County), and followed that road through Gum Spring, Goochland and Powhatan, where Rt. 522 stopped at Rt. 60. We crossed Rt. 60 and motored for a ways, and entered Amelia County. We took one county road after another, just zig-zagging. Finally, Ava asked, “Where are we?” I replied, “I’m not sure, but we are making good time.” I looked at the GPS screen on dashboard and it indicated we were in Nottoway County. I never saw the county-line sign. There are some wide-open spaces in Amelia and Nottoway Counties.
A college room-mate was from Blackstone, and I knew that was in Nottoway County, so we zeroed the GPS to Blackstone. In Blackstone we stopped at a convenience store and asked about places to eat. We were told that Corner Kitchen was really good, and people come there from miles around, but it was closed for the week. They recommended that we try The Brew House, diagonally across the street from the Corner Kitchen.
The Brew House is a large cavernous building, with a bar, tables and booths. A waitress told us they get a lot of business from nearby Fort Pickett. The waitress asked where we were from. When we said “Louisa”, she laughed and said she had relocated from Louisiana to Louisa about three years ago, lived here for a few months and followed her boyfriend to Blackstone.
I ordered a sirloin steak, and it was really good. For sides I had mashed potatoes and cole slaw. The mashed potatoes were home made from red-skinned potatoes – with the red skin mixed in. The potatoes had lumps, so you could tell it was home made. I like lumps in my mashed potatoes. The slaw was good.
Ava ordered breaded baked chicken strips over a bowl of tosses salad. That was really good. I had vanilla ice cream for dessert. Ava passed.
Before we left, the waitress informed us that they had opened a second Brew House in Farmville. In fact, we saw it in Farmville on return trip home.
If you go: Blackstone is a good distance from Central Virginia, probably two hours. Use GPS. The Brew House in Blackstone is located at 116 South Main Street. (434) 298-0035. But, if you want to eat at the Brew House, just visit the one in Farmville. Ava and I will probably return to Blackstone for a meal at the Corner Kitchen.”
According to the Brew House brass, they only offer 100% Certified Fresh and Never Frozen Hereford Beef. The Hereford cattle are raised locally on small family owned farms and ranches. Certified Hereford beef cattle are grass feed and grain finished. The cattle are free range. The freshness and flavor of this beef can be enjoyed in every juicy tender bite. “Once you’ve had one of our burgers or steaks grilled oven an open flame you’ll agree with the rest, it’s the best!”