Short Story Brewing was founded in Rivesville in 2017 by siblings Aaron Rote and Abby Kopischke and Abby’s husband, Mike Kopischke, who came together around Mike’s homebrewing hobby and their shared interest in beer, writing and their hometown community. The brewery’s literary identity is reflected in its name and the idea that “every beer tells a story,” while its brewing program emphasizes traditional beer styles alongside experimentation and rotating releases. The original brewery was built largely by the owners, family and friends, and Short Story has since expanded to taprooms in Deep Creek Lake, Charleston and the Morgantown-area location in Westover. Some of their Morgantown brews include:

Argonaut — Helles, 5.5% — bready sweetness with a crisp finish
Pivate — Italian pilsner, 6.3% — dry-hopped, crisp and slightly spicy
Beaches of Appalachia — Mexican lager, 5% — finished with fresh lime zest and J.Q. Dickinson salt
Falcon Fest — Festbier, 5.3% — crisp, malty lager with a little spicy hop bite
Cold Beer Here — Kölsch, 5% — light, mildly fruity and snappy
My Friends Call Me Red — Amber ale, 6% — caramel malt and balanced hops
Hunt & Peck — American brown ale, 5.4% — malty with chocolate notes
Turn & Fall — Märzen, 5.5% — malty and biscuity
Bearded Weirdo — pale ale, 5.5% — crisp and crushable with earthy and tropical hops
Room to Roam — IPA, 6.5% — hazy, tropical and dank
Chasing Daylight — IPA, 6.5% — their flagship IPA, with tangerine and lemon notes



The Burger Place is a collaboration between Short Story Brewing and Lefty's Place, bringing together craft beer and gourmet burgers along the bank of the Monongahela River. Their burgers use a 1/3-pound patty made from a blend of brisket, short rib, and chuck, provided by the Village Butcher.



One of their signature burgers is the Sonny Burger, a tribute to the co-owner’s grandfather. It’s topped with: American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion, bread-and-butter pickles and “Sonny Sauce” (their special sauce).



A well-seasoned patty anchors the build, its richness cut by the clean crunch of lettuce, tomato, and onion. The American cheese melts into the meat just enough to add cohesion, while the bread-and-butter pickles introduce a subtle sweetness that pairs neatly with the house Sonny Sauce. Taken with a side of crisp, lightly salted tater tots, the meal feels classic.



Grade: A