There is an ancient Celtic saying that states, 鈥榞ood people drink good beer.鈥�
The same can be said for those who brew it.
A trio of Okanagan women is looking to provide that good beer when they open the doors to Three Lakes Brewing later this year. Melanie Raby, her daughter Tara (Raby), and friend and business partner Cathy van Kesteren, came up with the idea two years ago.
鈥淟et鈥檚 give it a go and see what happens,鈥� said Raby.
鈥淓verything just fell into place. The beer community is just so friendly, so much awesome support.鈥�
Raby adds that as far as she knows, the group is unique in the Okanagan beer brewing industry.
鈥淲e鈥檝e talked to people in the brewing industry and that鈥檚 what they all say. There are women that own, but not 100 per cent.鈥�
After spending some time looking for a location, including one deal that fell through, the group found space currently under construction in the Airport Business Park on Matrix Crescent.
鈥淭hat little area there, it鈥檚 amazing how much that鈥檚 developing,鈥� says Raby. 鈥淲hat a perfect spot.鈥�
She adds that Three Lakes will have an intensely local focus, including buying hops and grains from farms in Barriere and Armstrong and fruit from orchards in Oyama.
Their beers will include fruit and wheat ales, an IPA, a pilsner and a sour.
Raby says they鈥檒l also have a signature brew.
鈥淎 lot of people haven鈥檛 heard of it, which we kind of like, it鈥檚 called barley wine, similar to a dark amber ale. We鈥檙e going to put a twist on it and call it Barley鈥檚 Angel Ale.鈥�
Daughter Tara, who has been winemaking for the past few years, is the brewmaster of the trio.
鈥淪he has the commercial, big tank level experience,鈥� explains Raby. In addition to buying local, Raby says they will also feature local artisans.
鈥淵ou can display your booth and sell your product. Kind of like our own little farmer鈥檚 market.鈥�
As construction on their Matrix Cres. nears completion, Raby says they鈥檝e been searching classified ads looking for tables, chairs, and other items to decorate the space.
鈥淟ittle trinkets from all over the Okanagan. It鈥檚 nice to look around and see someone鈥檚 story.鈥�
Raby says they鈥檙e creating a rustic, outdoor camping vibe. 鈥淥ur labels are actually camping pictures, and you鈥檒l see those pictures when you come in as well.鈥�
Three Lakes Brewing will also offer the story behind the beer it makes, similar to tastings that are part of a winery tour.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to have that, but sometimes we go to breweries and wish we knew a little more about what we鈥檙e tasting.鈥�
Raby says they are aiming to open their doors by summer.
鈥淚 would love a Canada Day opening, that鈥檚 the goal. We will be ready, but it鈥檚 just the (liquor) licensing. It does take time.鈥�
READ MORE: 麻豆精选鈥檚 Denim on the Diamond reveals 2023 music lineup
@GaryBarnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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