By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
It’s been a long time coming but the taproom at Three Marm Brewing Co. is open and serving the brewery’s unique beers.
On tap recently were Three Marm’s signature brew, Djinn’s HellaBrew; Patchkin Pumpkin Ale, offering a holiday vibe all year long; Mountain Trail Nut Brown Ale, the newest brew from Three Marm; Cowboy IPA; and Robusto Horchata Porter.
The journey began several years ago when brewmaster Adam Draeger suggested that the Wishmaster needed his own beer. He made that statement to actor Andrew Divoff, best known for playing the evil Djinn in the first two Wishmaster films, and owner of Three Marm.
Divoff was in Colorado, attending one of the many horror film conventions he participates in each year.
Draeger asked Divoff what kind of beer he likes. The answer was Belgian golden ale. As for spices, the answer was habanero peppers. And, Divoff added, he likes Persian limes.
The result was the beer known as Djinn’s HellaBrew.
On Three Marm’s first participation in the National Orange Show Fair Beer Fest, they hit it out of the park. The team – Divoff, Donnie Strodtman, Adam Hernandez and Erica Wright – brought home a first-place ribbon for their Djinn’s HellaBrew. That success comes as no surprise to anyone who has tasted the spicy brew.
And now folks can enjoy a pint of HellaBrew or one of the brewery’s other beers in the newly renovated space at the corner of Lake Drive and Knapps Cutoff in Crestline. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, Three Marm is partnering with Goodwin’s Market, offering turkey, ham, roast beef and veggie sandwiches to go along with the beers from noon to 7 p.m. Guests can also order food from Roadhouse Pizza or Toni’s Mexican Kitchen.
On Saturdays and Sundays, Kim Paolini, one of the brewery’s managers, can be spotted out front grilling hot dogs (Saturdays) and burgers (Sundays).
Paolini said they had a consistent flow of guests on May 1 – the day the taproom opened after being closed for a month to make improvements.
Three Marm has a 10-barrel brew system where brewmaster Donnie Strodtman works his magic.
They plan to add additional taps for a total of 18 to add nitro beers and flavored seltzers, which Strodtman said he is designing now. “They are very popular,” he said.
Ken Williams of SoCal Beer, a distributor based in Crestline, not only will deliver craft beers to local homes but he brings his mobile canning equipment to Three Marm. Cans of Three Marm’s beer are available for sale in a cooler located in the taproom. Guests can also have a crowler filled with their favorite beer from the taps.
As folks relax out on the patio at Three Marm or inside at one of the rustic tables, they can listen to music on the TouchTunes jukebox, which they can control from their phones.
Divoff is looking forward to the Fourth of July, when he plans to hold a fair at the brewery, bringing in a metal artist he met at a convention. He also hopes to have a vendor who works in leather and a potter. And his intention is to bring in a band to celebrate the holiday. He is working on a surprise to raise money for Operation Provider, Mountain Meals on Wheels and Search and Rescue.
“We have donated to charities from the beginning,” Divoff said.
In addition to the original team and Paolini, Divoff has been joined by Chris Hayes, the brewery’s other manager, and Mark Carrier. “Mark makes sure we look clean and we’re set up,” Divoff said.
For more information on Three Marm, visit their website at www.threemarmbrewing.com.
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