Finding the Funk at 3 Stars Brewing Company

Tucked away off a busy street among several auto mechanics and industry supply companies, you’ll find a welcoming spot to enjoy some of the most interesting beer being brewed right in the District. With a recent win at DC Beer Week’s Battle of the Barrel-Aged Beers and celebrating their six-year anniversary on August 12, it’s evident that 3 Stars Brewing Company is shaping the landscape of the DC beer scene.Once inside the brewery, visitors are warmly welcomed by the urban farmhouse tasting room sporting ten beers on tap, some of which are only available on-site. You can also wander out onto the brewery floor, where the growler tap, picnic tables, and games of corn hole invite hanging out awhile. This is where Slow Food DC members and supporters gathered on August 25 to get a taste of this Snail winner’s success.We tried four beers currently in production, starting with the Peppercorn Saison, a Belgian-style farmhouse ale that’s the brewery’s most popular and best selling beer. Brewed with red, white, and green peppercorns, this beer is fruity, with hints of peppercorn and citrus, and very refreshing. This was the first beer 3 Stars ever produced, and it’s just as good now as ever.Next up was the Ghost White IPA, bright and citrusy with a little bitterness on the finish thanks to the hops, but not overwhelming.  The Southern Belle, an imperial brown ale described as “not quite a stout,” uses roasted malt and chocolate to impart toasty notes of coffee and cocoa. Delightfully smooth!And last we moved into the land of sour beers, where 3 Stars is known to dabble, tasting the Trouble in Paradise American Wild Ale that had light and tart tropical fruit notes (guava and mango) perfect for summer.In addition to their regular lineup, 3 Stars has a number of different collaborations with area producers and restaurants. They make an Irish amber for the Dubliner Pub near Union Station. They have also undertaken a series of mixed brews, including a barrel fermented sour paired with mead from Baltimore-area Charm City Meadworks they’re calling Sabertooth Unicorn. Much like real unicorns, it’s almost impossible to get your hands on one. Keep an eye out for another collaboration with the National Arboretum coming soon: a special beer spiked with herbs grown on the grounds of the Arboretum.3 Stars is a Snail of Approval winner for many reasons, including their sustainability practices. Spent grain is sent to farms for use as animal feed, and the brewing team makes generous use of old whiskey, bourbon, and wine barrels to age their beers and impart unique flavors. Much of this happens in the brewery’s “Funkerdome,” a room where sour beers are born and aged. The beers can be aged up to two and a half years but there are no hard and fast rules – the Funkerdome is all about experimenting and discovering new flavors.In fact, die-hard sour beer fans can sign up for the “Funkerdome Society” to get limited edition releases not available to the general public. Likewise, membership in the 3 Stars “Illuminati Society” will also net you limited edition beers throughout the year. If you’re interested in getting in on the action, Funkerdome and Illuminati membership sign-ups for 2019 will be announced at the end of year.Know of other businesses that personify the Slow Food philosophy? Nominate them for a Snail of Approval award! Nominations are now open through September 30 and can be submitted through our website at: http://www.slowfooddc.org/snail-approval-nomination/. Cheers!