Column 15 Explores the Sweet Science of Nitro in Williamsburg, VA

May 29, 2021
FFOL Editor 1
Coffee

The Column 15 roastery and bar in Williamsburg, Virginia. All images courtesy of Column 15.

Nitro cold brew company Column 15 has opened its flagship location in Williamsburg, Virginia, showcasing all the elements of roasting and production next to the coffee shop.

Roughly half of the 3,000-square-foot space is occupied by the Column 15 bar and seating areas, from which guests can observe the workings of cold brewing equipment and a new Diedrich roaster on the opposite side. Prior to opening the new roastery, Column 15 did all of its roasting in a shared roasting facility separate from its cold brewing operation.

Column 15 cold brew bar Diedrich roaster

“It’s a great way to start roasting without the upfront commitment of purchasing expensive equipment,” Column 15 Co-Owner James Kroll told Daily Coffee News, “but operating out of multiple facilities and having to work around other businesses’ production schedules can be a huge hassle once you start to experience real growth.”

The industrial interior is softened by potted plants and a lounge area with plush seats. References to the brand, caffeine molecules and the motto — “The Science of Good Coffee” — can be found throughout Column 15, whose name refers to nitrogen’s place on the periodic table of elements.

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“We wanted to reflect our passion for coffee and science, filling the space with the same cozy but unique twists that you can get with our products,” Column 15 Director of Operations Cassidy Eissing told DCN.

Eissing and Kroll were joined at a ribbon-cutting earlier this month by wholesale and market director Brittany Wyatt and co-owner Victoria Goldsby. Kroll said the team may soon be offering tours and public tastings to give guests a deeper peek into coffee production.

Cassidy Eissing, Victoria Goldsby, James Kroll and Brittany Wyatt cutting the ribbon for the opening of Column 15 earlier this month.

In addition to its signature nitro cold brew, Column 15 also prepares hot drip coffee and espresso drinks at the new bar, while offering bags of roasted coffees.

“There’s a lot on the horizon for us,” Goldsby told DCN. “With our new roastery and greatly increased production capability, we can really start to focus on growing our wholesale production and distribution of kegged nitro cold brew, as well as roasted coffee in the coastal Virginia area and Richmond.”