There is an ancient Celtic saying that states, sa国际传媒榞ood people drink good beer.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淟etsa国际传媒檚 give it a go and see what happens,sa国际传媒� said Raby.

sa国际传媒淓verything just fell into place. The beer community is just so friendly, so much awesome support.sa国际传媒�

Raby adds that as far as she knows, the group is unique in the Okanagan beer brewing industry.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檝e talked to people in the brewing industry and thatsa国际传媒檚 what they all say. There are women that own, but not 100 per cent.sa国际传媒�

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.

sa国际传媒淭hat little area there, itsa国际传媒檚 amazing how much thatsa国际传媒檚 developing,sa国际传媒� says Raby. sa国际传媒淲hat a perfect spot.sa国际传媒�

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 theysa国际传媒檒l also have a signature brew.

sa国际传媒淎 lot of people havensa国际传媒檛 heard of it, which we kind of like, itsa国际传媒檚 called barley wine, similar to a dark amber ale. Wesa国际传媒檙e going to put a twist on it and call it Barleysa国际传媒檚 Angel Ale.sa国际传媒�

Daughter Tara, who has been winemaking for the past few years, is the brewmaster of the trio.

sa国际传媒淪he has the commercial, big tank level experience,sa国际传媒� explains Raby. In addition to buying local, Raby says they will also feature local artisans.

sa国际传媒淵ou can display your booth and sell your product. Kind of like our own little farmersa国际传媒檚 market.sa国际传媒�

As construction on their Matrix Cres. nears completion, Raby says theysa国际传媒檝e been searching classified ads looking for tables, chairs, and other items to decorate the space.

sa国际传媒淟ittle trinkets from all over the Okanagan. Itsa国际传媒檚 nice to look around and see someonesa国际传媒檚 story.sa国际传媒�

Raby says theysa国际传媒檙e creating a rustic, outdoor camping vibe. sa国际传媒淥ur labels are actually camping pictures, and yousa国际传媒檒l see those pictures when you come in as well.sa国际传媒�

Three Lakes Brewing will also offer the story behind the beer it makes, similar to tastings that are part of a winery tour.

sa国际传媒淵ou donsa国际传媒檛 have to have that, but sometimes we go to breweries and wish we knew a little more about what wesa国际传媒檙e tasting.sa国际传媒�

Raby says they are aiming to open their doors by summer.

sa国际传媒淚 would love a Canada Day opening, thatsa国际传媒檚 the goal. We will be ready, but itsa国际传媒檚 just the (liquor) licensing. It does take time.sa国际传媒�

READ MORE: Kelownasa国际传媒檚 Denim on the Diamond reveals 2023 music lineup

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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