IPA OF THE TIGER

TIGER

↑ Flight of Three Tigers Brewing beers

Three Tigers Brewing Co. has a new home, and its brews could be heading to a store

near you

By Sarah Sole Photos by James DeCamp Story Design by Emma Quinn

To say that Three Tigers Brewing Co. was suffering from growing pains might be an understatement.

At its former location at 140 N. Prospect St., the Granville brewery had a taproom so small that it was unable to keep up with demand, according to Scott Wilkins, who manages the outfit along with business partners Rick Moller and Lonnie Hill. On any given Friday night, customers would have a hard time finding seating. →

“We were bursting at the seams in a lot of different ways,” Wilkins said.

On April 1, the brewery officially made a critical change that was a long time coming: It relocated across the street to the former Granville Fire Station. And although Three Tigers didn’t move very far, their new location offers exciting opportunities.

The former firehouse offers a spacious kitchen, in addition to ample dining and bar seating. A larger brewing space also means that, for the first time, Three Tigers can offer its beer in stores and on tap.

“We’re super excited,” Wilkins said. “We’re putting out a really good product.”

The new brewery features a 10-barrel brewing system with a canning line. Three Tigers is in the process of securing bottle shop accounts in Franklin and Licking counties and is pursuing several draft accounts in Franklin County.

Wilkins said they like to bottle a little bit of everything, from Belgian tripels to hazy IPAs.

“We run the gamut on our beer styles,” he said.

The larger space also affords them the ability to focus on more high-gravity beers. Wilkins said the brewery, led by Head Brewer Logan Williams and Assistant Brewer Frankie Capaci, is adding a barrel aging program to brew imperial stouts and IPAs.

While the new location gives Three Tigers the opportunity to embrace exciting new growth in the brewery arena, it also affords them space to expand their food options. The space will hold Mai Chau Kitchen, which was originally next door to the brewery at the old location. →

↓ Bánh mì sandwich served with fries

...THE NEW LOCATION GIVES [THEM] THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE EXCITING NEW ...

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↑ Fried rice bowl

↓ Hand-crafted Old Fashioned ← Art painted on a doorway in the space

Featuring cuisine inspired by Vietnamese street food, Mai Chau was originally started as a food truck in 2012 by Wilkins and his wife, Ashley, after they traveled extensively and lived in Vietnam for two years. After returning to Granville, the couple opened the truck, which is still in operation. When Wilkins wanted to do a brick and mortar restaurant as well, he connected with Rick and Lonnie. The trio opened Mai Chau in 2015 and a year later, Three Tigers Brewing Co.

Mai Chau was originally envisioned as a quick-serve eatery, but the new location allows for some expansion to the menu. Wilkins said the kitchen will also feature more traditional fare including sandwiches and appetizers, burgers, and seafood dishes.

↓ Views of their new space

And for all the moving parts and pieces that come with expanding a brewery and restaurant, Wilkins is still finding time to appreciate simplicity. He said he looks forward to a packed taproom on summer days, when the weather is warm enough to open the former firehouse’s garage doors.

“I can’t wait,” he said. ♦

To learn more, visit threetigersbrewing.com