Black Sabbath music and the smell of hot wort spill in equal measure from the brewhouse onto the patio of Inglewood, California’s Three Weavers Brewing Company, and although the tasting room won’t be open for hours, a small group plays a rowdy game of dominoes at a picnic table, half-emptied glasses within easy reach. Three Weavers’ Founder Lynne Weaver (top, right) and Brewmaster Alexandra (Alex) Nowell take a break for a round of bones with their friends—travelers who missed their morning flight out of nearby LAX and sought refuge (and inebriants) at the brewery. There’s laughter and Kölsch and an impulsive plan to fly to Portland. The vignette demonstrates that the brewery’s commitment to community isn’t just marketing copy. Three Weavers (named for Lynne Weaver’s three daughters) is a family business that’s built to grow.
The brewery, just over two years old, was founded by certified financial planner and homebrewer Lynne Weaver, who thought a craft brewery could be a captivating intersection of her interests. Early into the development of the brand and business plan, Weaver partnered with Nowell to handle the recipe development and run the brewhouse, and their working relationship seems closer to family than business. Much like sisters, they’re quick to finish the other’s sentences (or just as often to offer a correction or contradiction), and they clearly share a unified vision for the future of Three Weavers Brewing. Their lofty goals are tempered by a patience and acumen for the business side of brewing not often seen in startup breweries. That is not to say the pair lacks passion for the creative side; their complementary skill sets are the foundation for a brewery known in Los Angeles for consistently high-quality brews.
Three Weavers doesn’t focus on the trophy IPAs or the envelope-pushing wild ales that beer geeks line up to purchase. Instead, the beers are about striking a balance between traditional techniques and styles and showcasing the best ingredients in the world. From Kölsch to pale ale to English porter, these pints aren’t flashy—they’re polished and nuanced. Sleeper brews among a field of hot-rod beer.