Brewery Visit: Three Brothers Brewing Company

Is it just me, or were beer and hiking made for each other?  There’s nothing quite like that first beer after a long day on the trail, and the brews from Three Brothers Brewing Company in Harrisonburg, VA were no exception.

My wife and I decided to get out of the 95 corridor for the day and head to the mountains.  Afterward, we were only 20 minutes from Three Brothers Brewing Company in Harrisonburg, so to Harrisonburg we went.  When we arrived, we ordered flights and were treated to an intense game of Jumbo Jenga on the outdoor patio. 

With the sun retreating and the clouds providing a bit of cover, it was actually quite pleasant to sit outside. Our dog was able to sit on the patio and soak it all in as well.  And then, just when we were able to sit back and let out a sigh of contentment on the day as a whole, it began to rain.  Oh well, guess we couldn’t expect the weather to hold up for us all day.  We hustled the remainder of our flights inside, got the dog in the car, and were able to sit inside and take in that part of the brewery for a bit.

In addition to their impressive indigenous beer selection, the Three Brothers Brewing Company taproom has a fantastic atmosphere.  From the rustic-modern style, to the windows into the brewery, to the hop vines growing up arches on the patio, each aspect seems carefully chosen to enhance to experience of any visitor.  TVs grace the corners and walls aplenty, yet not so many as to be obnoxious and overwhelming.  Though it was not particularly full when we visited, I got the sense that even with a packed house it wouldn’t feel claustrophobic, and you would be able to at least find a place to set your beer while you stand around and chat.  As we were leaving, a band was setting up to play later in the evening.  Being a sucker for live music of almost any kind, this is a huge plus in my book and I would imagine it makes for a right enjoyable Saturday night in Harrisonburg. 

Sporting an impressive 10 beers on tap, they featured a set lineup of five in their sampler flights.  However, sporting my best “I’m sorry to be obnoxious, but...” tone, I was able to convince the bartender to change mine up a little bit (okay, a lot).  Seems like a simple request, but I’ve found it’s not always so (I’ll save my rant on this particular topic for another post).  Nevertheless, between the two of us we were able to taste almost all of their beers.  Their selection of traditional beers covered the spectrum:  Hefeweizen, “Virginia Ale”, Amber Ale, Session IPA, and IPA.  And then, there were the Brown IPA, Sour Belgian Stout, Rum Barrel Aged Belgian, and Wild Barrel Blend. 

From our beer recon, we determined that Three Brothers pretty much has a beer for everyone.  Whether you’re a light beer drinker looking for a more local flavor, or a beer nerd looking for new, bold combinations, this is a place for you.  I’ll list my impressions on a few of the specific beers at the end for any who are interested. 

According to their website, Three Brothers Brewing started out in 2012, making them a still fairly young brewery.  Though I did not get the opportunity to ask the bartenders any questions about the brewery’s story (not the chatty types I’m afraid), I could feel that it was important both to be a fixture in the Harrisonburg community and to continually brew great beer.  Next time you happen to be stopping through the area, whether you’re road tripping, visiting grandma, or maybe even hitting the trails, I recommend Three Brothers Brewing as a place to relax, unwind, and breathe in the Virginia mountain air with a fresh pint in hand.

Beers of Note: No pictures on this one (sorry...) but here’s a rundown of a few of the beers I enjoyed.

Maintop Mountain Ale (American Amber Ale, 5.0% ABV)

Pours a crisp, clear amber color (I know, in an amber ale?  Crazy, right?) with a white head which recedes pretty quickly, but laces the glass nicely.  In a genre of beer that often seems to lack any real character, this one seemed to stand out a bit more.  The biscuit flavors shone through without overpowering and melded well with the small amount of hop flavor that could be detected.  This beer was at once refreshing and intriguing, satisfying to the connoisseur, yet approachable for the novice.

Hoptimization (IPA, 7.1% ABV)

Deep gold in color with a white head, the aroma reaches out to draw you in with a big citrus character.  The citrus carries through in the flavor of the beer, and the hops complete their mission with a rush of bitterness in the finish.  Lots of pine and citrus throughout, pretty much a solid American IPA.

Rum Barrel Belgian (Belgian Dubbel, 10% ABV)

I have been toying with the idea of rum aging one of my own homebrews, so I was very excited to try Three Brothers’ attempt.  I wasn’t disappointed.  With an amber-brown color and minimal white head, it looks the part, and the rum aroma invites you to buckle up and jump in.  Truthfully, this beer tasted like exactly what I expected, a dubbel and rum, but the flavors complimented each other better than I thought.  The fruity notes from the yeast played very nicely with the boozy rum notes.  The beer overall didn’t feel thick or overwhelming either.  While it is a sipper, not a gulper, it drinks easier and cleaner than a lot of the barrel aged imperial stouts.  I say an experiment well worth the effort, and I am encouraged in my pursuit of rum aged homebrew.

Atramentous (Sour Belgian Stout, 9.1% ABV)

Oh, they went there.  Sour Belgian Stout.  Pretty sure my wife just laughed when she saw the lusty look in my eye when I told her what the super dark representation was in my flight.  At any rate, this one is like an imperial stout, with a twist.  The coffee and chocolate still comes through in the nose, along with some fruity notes to belie its Belgian influence.  At first, the chocolate and coffee flavors stand out with a thick mouthfeel and sour finish, but as it warms a bit some of the fruity notes shine through and you get a delightfully complex sipping experience.  This is a great beer to really sit down with and get to know.  Even if you’re a little wary of sour beers, I say take a quick stroll on the wild side.  You never know what might happen.

--Jacob