Three Oaks Brewery

Puttin’ you in a Fix since 2006...

Colin, Travis and I met at 4th and College street, in Fall Term of 2006. I brought the Grain, Travis brought the Hops, and Colin brought the yeast (quite inadvertently, to be honest). We threw together our first batch of American Amber Ale using an Igloo™ beverage-cooler as a mashtun.

Such are the words of the Three Oaks Brewery founder, Jake Kring, at the onset of the brewery. Since then, sadly, this brewing pioneer has graduated, but before he went on into “the real world,” he left Carleton and a few of the brewery’s faithful members with a charter.

We are committed to cultivating, both in our members and in the greater Carleton community, a healthy respect for the cultural and culinary traditions associated with Beer. At the risk of sounding preachy, every beer purchased is a vote for a system. When you purchase a watered-down, mass-produced lager you vote for a system that relies upon absurd quantities of fossil fuel and a vast network of unsustainable infrastructure. When you drink with us, you vote for a local operation.

In keeping with those values, we use only the freshest ingredients and aim to be more sustainable each term. Moreover, we pride ourselves on producing beer that defies the conventions of college drinking, promoting a style of socializing that we feel is healthier, more productive, and downright funner than that which is all too common on college campuses. In short, our beer is brewed with a very specific social setting in mind: good company, good conversation, and good music. We expect nothing less of you, and you should expect nothing less of us.

Although the brewery started with Jake bringing the grain, Travis bringing the hops, and Colin bringing the yeast, all is brought by Carleton now. Well, everything is bought by Carleton. And well…not even that is entirely true. Thanks to our brew Chemist, we are able to culture our own yeast, so we have yet to purchase any of those sugar-eating scoundrels. In addition, we have plans for the Spring to begin planting our own hops and come next year, even our own grain.

We’ve come a long way since the beginning, and we’re going fast. Soon enough we will upgrade to a 20 gallon brew pot to produce bigger batches for more patrons of Carleton to enjoy.

Saying that, we are still an extremely small operation. We love to see new faces. We are interested in what you are interested in. Graphic designers who have teamed up with the brewery design labels for our beer bottles. Scientists get wrapped up in the yeast and the degree of water temperature affecting enzyme production. We also have a small, yet ever-growing library at the brew house, located now at 5th and Union. Please, stop by and help us brew, bottle, or just hang out. At the very least, come by and have a homebrew. They are delicious. And…well…free.

Any questions? Contact Joe Decker

Cheers,
The Three Oaks Brewing Team