Susan Bateman
Owner, Co-founder
Owner, Co-founder
What do you do at COVA?
Mother hen. And I run monthly shirt folding seminars (I am a professional.)
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
Hmm…that’s like asking which of my children I like best…I love them all! The Ales for ALS IPA was amazing and I hope he’ll make that again…and again. My favorite coffee other than our go-to drip coffee is the Norfolk Smog…like a spa in a cup!
What do you do outside of COVA?
I love family time, Jesus time, and being outside in the sun. I also teach kiddos to read and write.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
We are brewing more than coffee and beer…we are brewing community. I love the relationships we have developed with our staff, our vendors, and our community. It feels like family.
What is your most prized possession?
My back porch…lots of love, laughter, and sweet memories created there.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Super speed
Scott Bateman
Owner, Co-founder
Owner, Co-founder
What do you do at COVA?
I help count the cheese and pay the taxes. Sometimes they let me taste the beer.
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
I’ve always been an IPA Guy; the hoppier the better. Matt makes such delicious varieties of beer which makes it tough to not love them all.
What do you do outside of COVA?
Wait, we can have a life outside of COVA? When did that get approved?
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
I love, love seeing all the dogs and kids (just not in the flower beds). I really get a kick out of watching the families and groups laugh and enjoy themselves. They kinda forget about the world.
What is your most prized possession?
My dog and my truck. Did I mention I hate country music?
If you could have one super power what would it be?
I want to be super fast like Quicksilver on the X-Men or Avengers. I’d get all my work done in like 5 minutes and then chill the rest of the day.
Karla Smith
Owner, Co-founder
Owner, Co-founder
What do you do at COVA?
I play at the coolest coffee bar around and make sure there’s awesome wine on the wall to drink!
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
Coffee of course! I’m a huge fan of hot coffee first thing in the morning, probably an Americano with a bit of steamed half and half!
What do you do outside of COVA?
Play tennis, boat on the bay with all of the dolphins! And loving my family!!
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
Chatting with customers and our amazing staff!
What is your most prized possession?
Mardy Smith (my poochon)!
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Having the ability to move all of my family from Ohio to Norfolk! ❤️
Phil Smith
Owner, Co-founder
Owner, Co-founder
What do you do at COVA?
Fix things.
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
I love all of our children equally!
What do you do outside of COVA?
Fix things.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
Bringing Joy to our Patrons
What is your most prized possession?
My Health – so far!
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Reading minds…
Corrie Bateman
General Manager
General Manager
What do you do at COVA?
I herd cats all day, everyday.
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
I LOVE our coffee. Some of my favorites are the Iced Cinnamon Latte, Hot Americano, and Chai Tea Latte.
What do you do outside of COVA?
Have fire pits with family & friends, go to the beach, and find treasures at the thirft store.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
I love that the staff has a good time at work, and it shows!
What is your most prized possession?
My engagement ring & my dog Reagan.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Teleportation. I would love to be at the next place in an instant!
Katie Parkins
Marketing & Events Manager
Marketing & Events Manager
What do you do at COVA?
I am in charge of making sure that you have friends, food and fun when you’re at COVA! I love bringing new people in to check out the events we put on and finding new ways to put on a great time.
What’s your favorite COVA Brew
The hardest question! I’m so impressed with the quality of all of our beers, but so far our Session IPA and the Pumpkin Porter, Mardy Party! I also love a good cold brew anytime of year.
What do you do outside of COVA?
I live close by, so I head straight to the beach when it’s nice and stay home with my two crazy dogs when it’s not. My husband and I have the best friends here and love living in the Coastal VA area. We also can’t get enough of the Charlottesville area and head up there to camp (and sip good brews) as often as we can.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
My favorite thing about COVA is that it provides a community space for people of all ages and backgrounds with many different interests. Beer enthusiast? We got you. Coffee Snob? We got you. Wine expert? We got you too. Always something for the little ones too! I just love that it’s a place where everyone can hang out – and I am excited that it brought more to OV!
What is your most prized possession?
My dogs.
W If you could have one superpower what would it be?
If I could have one superpower it would be the ability to be in a million places at once. I love being busy – but sometimes I just can’t make it to everything that I want to fit into my schedule!
Katelyn Howard
Book Club Lead
Book Club Lead
What do you do at COVA?
I was previously our Marketing Manager, but now I just lead our monthly book club, COVA Books & Brews!
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
Any of our sour beers. The fruitier the better. I’m also a huge fan of our classic Iced Vanilla latte with oat milk.
What do you do outside of COVA?
I’m an avid bookworm so I spend a lot of my life outside of work reading and listening to audiobooks (come to our COVA Book Club!) I also love to take naps and spend time hanging with my family and friends.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
That we’re so much more than just a coffeehouse and brewery. We’re a place where the community can come together.
What is your most prized possession?
Definitely my beagle pup, Milo. And my wedding ring. And also my go-to dry shampoo….
If you could have one super power what would it be?
I’d love to be able to get cleaning, yard work, cooking, and other tasks done with the snap of my fingers. Imagine how much free time I’d have…That would be the best!
Matthew Topping
Head Brewer
Head Brewer
What do you do at COVA?
I make all of the cold beverages. Cold-brew, seltzer, lemonade, and of course…beer!
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
Lagerbier.
What do you do outside of COVA?
Pizza making and working in my greenhouse with my wife.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
Prime outdoor drinking space.
What is your most prized possession?
My pizza oven.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Well, I already have superhuman strength, so it’s hard to say…but teleportation would cool.
Morgan Brondstater
Coffee Operations Manager
Coffee Operations Manager
What do you do at COVA?
Keep things fresh and running behind the coffee bar.
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
Hazy Bay IPA
What do you do outside of COVA?
You can find me at the beach, local breweries, or on the trails.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
Working with a fun group of people.
What is your most prized possession?
My dog, Arlow.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
To read minds.
Lukas Miller
Tap Wall Operations Manager
Tap Wall Operations Manager
What do you do at COVA?
I handle beer releases, beer education for staff, and work with our Coffee Operations Manager to ensure everything runs smoothly at COVA!
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
Seavesa is my favorite from our beer selection! My coffee order is an Americano with steamed oat milk, one pump of vanilla, topped with chai spice!
What do you do outside of COVA?
I enjoy riding my bike and reading a good book, but not at the same time!
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
Our Regulars!
What is your most prized possession?
My Kitties, Cleo & Nova!
If you could have one super power what would it be?
Teleportation, I would go EVERYWHERE!
Harley Varga
Digital Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Manager
What do you do at COVA?
I coordinate with Katie, our Events Marketing Manager to promote our events and ensure that our brews, our team, and our values here at COVA are shared through out all of our online platforms!
What’s your favorite COVA Brew?
ALOHA state of mind gose! I am a sour girl through and through!
What do you do outside of COVA?
I am a beach bum! If there is a patch of sun, I can be found standing in it like a sunbathing cat. I also enjoy playing chess, singing, and exercising my rough piano, guitar, & ukulele skills.
What is your favorite thing about COVA?
The environment! I could spend all day in the brewery and forget how long I’ve been here for!
What is your most prized possession?
My Cat El-Tigre… El-t for short. He was named after the tv show El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera. I hope this unlocks some memories for someone.
If you could have one super power what would it be?
I would want the power to Breathe under water, or basically just be a mermaid like in H2O but have full control over my mermaid transformations.
