E-Malt.com News article: USA, OH: Third Eye Brewing Company opening its doors in Cincinnati on June 17

Tom Collins had envisioned opening a brewery in his mind’s eye for nearly a decade. But the dream of the former product designer and avid homebrewer laid dormant for years. It took the realization that one can’t will a dream into existence without taking action for Collins to engage partners and get to work on making it a reality, Cincinnati.com reported on June 16.

“Life is short,” said Collins, cofounder of Third Eye Brewing Company. “You could always say, ‘I’m going to go and do this someday,’ but what if someday doesn’t come?”

“Someday” has finally arrived for Collins and his fellow Third Eye Brewing Company co-founders, opening their doors on June 17. After more than four years of preparation, Third Eye seems poised to become an overnight success.

Sharonville’s first craft brewery, Third Eye enjoys a host of advantages. Its Chester Road location is right across the street from the Sharonville Convention Center and near several high-volume hotels. A patio with direct access to the brewery’s main bar via roll-up garage doors spans the building’s street-facing side to project a fun, airy, vacation-like atmosphere.

The energy doesn’t stop at the building’s entrances. Vivid colors leap from the mural behind the taproom bar, commanding the attention of visitors as soon as they step inside. Light reflects off of the stainless steel fermenters in the brewery’s production area, where its 15-barrel system is visible from inside and out.

Sight, taste, smell, hearing, touch – the brewery seeks to engage all five senses. In doing so, Collins and his team hope to help each guest access a sixth sense by, of course, opening their third eye.

“Third Eye, the concept of that is that it’s your mind’s eye,” Collins explained. “The idea is, it’s said that everyone can actually access their mind’s eye. It’s a higher level of perception and seeing the world in a different light. We’re just helping people get there one pint at a time.”

Along the wall near Third Eye’s main entrance hang three eye-catching wooden signs, each one inscribed with a phrase from the brewery’s mantra: “Live life. Do good. Drink beer.”

“It’s an important thing for us to get involved in the community and certain charities,” said Collins. “There’s a lot of things going on in the world, a lot of not-so-good stuff. We want to be sure we’re putting out a positive message.”

About the beer: Normally, it’s unfair to judge a new brewery by its initial offerings. Even master brewers need time to learn the ins and outs of new brewing systems. But some of Third Eye’s initial offerings are, well, eye-opening.

That’s perhaps where Third Eye’s biggest advantage shines through. Its brewing team combines the artistry and experience of Kelly Montgomery, who comes to Third Eye after making a name for himself at the national award-winning Brink Brewing Co., with the scientific know-how of Chloe Schaefer, a microbiologist and graduate of the University of California-Davis master brewer certificate program. The pair represents arts and sciences, Collins quipped.

Most impressive among the six beers on tap during my visit to Third Eye: Jelly Brain, a milkshake IPA brewed with coconut and pineapple. The creaminess of the beer complements the tropical flavors.

“It’s like a piña colada dream beer for the IPA lovers,” Collins said.

Also impressive: Enlightenment, a raspberry American wheat, and Untapped Potential kolsch. The initial tap list also includes a chocolate oatmeal stout and IPAs of the West Coast and New England varieties. Joining them soon will be a Czech lager and a wee heavy.

Third Eye is one of only a handful of Cincinnati breweries with a full-service kitchen that offers both appetizers and entrees. The menu sings with creativity – adventurous eaters will want to try what Collins calls the “guacamame,” an edamame hummu Initially, Third Eye beer will be available to consumers at the taproom only, where it can be ordered to-go in growlers or crowlers. Once the operational kinks get worked out, the brewery will distribute its beer in kegs to local bars and restaurants, with the eventual goal of getting 4- and 6-packs to the retail market. Third Eye hasn’t designated any of its beers a flagship or staple, so what goes in those cans remains to be seen.

Until that day comes, Third Eye aims to foster an environment where its guests will be inspired to follow that live life, do good, drink beer lifestyle.

“The world needs more kindness and people helping each other,” Collins said. “We want to do our part to do that as best we can.”s served with pickled vegetables and grilled pita bread.


15 June, 2020