What started as a walk near Chute Lake nearly three years ago, has brewed up a business for affable friends Melaine Raby and Cathy van Kesteren.

sa国际传媒淚t was supposed to be a nice little walk and it ended up being a hike, we were like sa国际传媒榳e need a beer after this,sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒� said van Kesteren.

They had that beer at a nearby pub and talked about the places theysa国际传媒檝e worked in the hospitality industry, their current jobs and what they wanted from their lives.

sa国际传媒淲e looked around and said sa国际传媒榳e can do this,sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒� added Raby. sa国际传媒淲e were so excited like we already had opened the doors.sa国际传媒�

Their love of beer, the outdoors, and camping - a theme that weaves its way throughout their establishment - further convinced the pair that this is what they had to do.

After securing funding, finding a location, consulting with construction services, landing a liquor licence, and dealing with setbacks, the friends opened the doors to Three Lakes Brewing in 2023 during the August long weekend.

The name comes from three lakes, Okanagan, Kalamalka and Wood, as well as three women, van Kesteren, Raby and her daughter Tara who is the brewmaster.

Raby noted that, as far as she knows, there are not many women running their own craft brewery operations.

sa国际传媒淪o many people said sa国际传媒榳omen brewing, shout that out.sa国际传媒� Yeah thatsa国际传媒檚 cool, but we just like that wesa国际传媒檙e brewing beer.sa国际传媒�

There were challenges and setbacks, however, including a lease for a Lake Country location that fell through twice and navigating the provincial liquor licencing process.

sa国际传媒淚t wasnsa国际传媒檛 sa国际传媒榦kay wesa国际传媒檙e done heresa国际传媒�, it was sa国际传媒榦kay what do we do now?sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒� Raby remembers asking.

That persistence, and a mindset of not giving up, are attitudes the pair encourage other women entrepreneurs to embrace.

sa国际传媒淲e never questioned it once,sa国际传媒� van Kesteren said. sa国际传媒淚t was in your gut, in your soul, it was right. It wasnsa国际传媒檛 a thought in our minds at all.sa国际传媒�

Raby noted that itsa国际传媒檚 also important to find mentors.

sa国际传媒淎sk other business owners and get their advice even if they are not in your field.sa国际传媒�

Giving back and sourcing local are other behaviours the friends believe in.

They give to the Lake Country Food Bank, a childrensa国际传媒檚 lunch program, and supported a local family last Christmas.

As much as possible, Three Lakes Brewing sources its ingredients, supplies and food offerings locally and hosts farmers markets, artisans and musicians on a regular basis.

At times the last nearly three years have been blur for the 20-year friends. Some days are so busy they barely have time to connect.

sa国际传媒淲e have to have date night,sa国际传媒� Raby laughed.

The day-to-day operations are a huge part of what they love about their business.

sa国际传媒淟ook at what wesa国际传媒檝e done,sa国际传媒� van Kesteren said. sa国际传媒淭his is our business. You hang in there and do something yousa国际传媒檙e proud of.sa国际传媒�

The other thing that brings a smile is the regulars, and new faces, who walk through the door everyday.

sa国际传媒淭heysa国际传媒檝e become friends,sa国际传媒� Raby said. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 whatsa国际传媒檚 so great about doing all of this.sa国际传媒�

is located at 2030 Matrix Crescent in the Airport Business Park.