There is an ancient Celtic saying that states, 乌鸦传媒榞ood people drink good beer.乌鸦传媒�

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.

乌鸦传媒淟et乌鸦传媒檚 give it a go and see what happens,乌鸦传媒� said Raby.

乌鸦传媒淓verything just fell into place. The beer community is just so friendly, so much awesome support.乌鸦传媒�

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

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

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.

乌鸦传媒淭hat little area there, it乌鸦传媒檚 amazing how much that乌鸦传媒檚 developing,乌鸦传媒� says Raby. 乌鸦传媒淲hat a perfect spot.乌鸦传媒�

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 they乌鸦传媒檒l also have a signature brew.

乌鸦传媒淎 lot of people haven乌鸦传媒檛 heard of it, which we kind of like, it乌鸦传媒檚 called barley wine, similar to a dark amber ale. We乌鸦传媒檙e going to put a twist on it and call it Barley乌鸦传媒檚 Angel Ale.乌鸦传媒�

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

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

乌鸦传媒淵ou can display your booth and sell your product. Kind of like our own little farmer乌鸦传媒檚 market.乌鸦传媒�

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

乌鸦传媒淟ittle trinkets from all over the Okanagan. It乌鸦传媒檚 nice to look around and see someone乌鸦传媒檚 story.乌鸦传媒�

Raby says they乌鸦传媒檙e creating a rustic, outdoor camping vibe. 乌鸦传媒淥ur labels are actually camping pictures, and you乌鸦传媒檒l see those pictures when you come in as well.乌鸦传媒�

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

乌鸦传媒淵ou don乌鸦传媒檛 have to have that, but sometimes we go to breweries and wish we knew a little more about what we乌鸦传媒檙e tasting.乌鸦传媒�

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

乌鸦传媒淚 would love a Canada Day opening, that乌鸦传媒檚 the goal. We will be ready, but it乌鸦传媒檚 just the (liquor) licensing. It does take time.乌鸦传媒�

READ MORE: Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 Denim on the Diamond reveals 2023 music lineup

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.