Third Eye Brewing has a pretty in depth description of who their name came about, and what it all means. They say that it’s a reference to the mind’s eye… the “third eye”. It looks for new possibilities. They go on to explain that they are hoping to “open your mind’s eye – one pint at a time”.

I was struggling a little bit to try to understand who these folks were… it seemed like a little bit of a marketing spin for a clever name. I was really digging the pictures that they were posting of their beautiful taproom in Sharonville – it’s an awesome mix of concrete, wood, stainless steel, and an absolutely gorgeous swirling colorful mural behind the bar (done by David Johnathan Creative). The colors continue into details on the bar top – it’s really fantastic… but it doesn’t tell me anything about who they are.

I struggled with it until I saw three simple wood signs along one wall:

Live Life, Do Good, Drink Beer

Maybe we’re overthinking this whole thing?

Who Is Third Eye Brewing?

From the technical standpoint – Third Eye Brewing is the project from five owners. They have enlisted the brewing talents of local favorite Kelly Montgomery and “newcomer” Chloe Schaefer to run their 15bbl brewhouse… but I’m not talking about who they are from the technical side of it. Who are they? From my perspective, and they could correct me if I’m misreading this… they are you, me, the experience of life and most importantly they are a conduit to looking at things a little differently.

Third Eye isn’t about escaping from life or finding that place where you can get away from your family, or from work, or whatever that thing you’re running away from is. This is a Cincinnati brewery that wants to take everyday moments and use them to help you get more out of it all. Beer is the path to slowing down and looking at things from a different place.

If it seems like it’s still a little too complicated – it might be. When it all becomes a little too “marketing-y” just think back to those three wooden pictures on the wall – Live Life, Do Good, Drink Beer. It simplifies it beautifully.

The Beer

I know, I know… sometimes you get a little sick of my waxing poetic about breweries and what they “mean” or what the point of it all is. “We just wanna know about the beer, Gnome”. I get it. I’m not here to keep that from you! The beer at Third Eye has a lot going for it… there is real variety here, and when you show up with your group of less than 10 friends and family (I hate you Covid19) you’ll find something for everyone (even the non-beer drinkers have something to snag here). The beer list:

• Jelly Brain – Milkshake IPA – 6% ABV – Do you like Pina Coladas? This milkshake IPA is a sweeter variant of a New England. It’s loaded with Citra, Cashmere, and Centennial hops bringing huge notes of tropical fruit and citrus. 300lbs of pineapple, toasted coconut, and lactose round out this creamy, tropical creation.
• Enlightenment – Raspberry American Wheat – 5% ABV – American wheats make for refreshing, light, thirst-quenching beer. 260 lbs of raspberries coupled with a wheat malt bill make for smooth, sweet sips. Overall it’s tart and mildly sweet, like biting into fresh fruit.
• Astral – Chocolate Oatmeal Stout – 6.7% ABV – This luscious, roasty stout is great for drinking on those cooler spring evenings or sitting by the campfire. The stars of this brew are the rich, bittersweet Maverick Chocolate Company cocoa nibs, and husks used liberally during the brewing. Maverick Chocolate Company originally started as a stand by Findlay Market and uses only ethically sourced cacao beans.
• Untapped Potential – Kolsch – 6.1% ABV – The Kolsch style originated and developed in Cologne, Germany. German malts, hops, and yeast keep this beer true to its heritage. The ale/lager hybrid is crisp, delicate, and extremely drinkable on a hot summer day. The perfect pool beer.
• Dream Worthy – New England IPA – 6.6% ABV – NEIPAs are traditionally hazy. Bursting hop flavors and low bitterness separate these from their traditional West Coast cousins. Citra, El Dorado, and Amarillo hops come together to bring you bright notes of tropical fruit, grapefruit, and citrus. Oats and wheat give haze and a smooth mouthfeel.
• Third Eye P.A. – West Coast IPA – 6% ABV – A beer lover’s delight, this beer has plenty of hops to go around. The grain bill was designed to balance the dank, piney, and grapefruit hop flavors. Old and new school hops Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, and Columbus combine to give a prominent bouquet of aroma and flavor.

Sounds good… right? If you wanna a little sneak peek at the future, they’ve also given us a look at what’s coming on deck, too:

• Beyond Sight – Northern Brown Ale w/ Hazelnut – 6.6% ABV – Brown ales are flavorful and malty with nutty and caramel flavors. This iteration has added hazelnuts to bring some slightly sweet, toasted richness.
• Good Livin’ – Czech Lager – 4.9% – These pilsners are traditionally hoppy with bready malt character and a crisp finish. Flowery, herbal aromas from the Saaz, Sterling, and Tettnanger hops pair perfectly with the extra carbonation for a beer you can’t put down.
• Higher Consciousness – Scottish Wee Heavy – 8% ABV – Our Scotch Ale is rich and packed with candied malt flavor; the exact opposite of an IPA. The caramel flavors come from the specialty malts and extended boil time. This style is comparable to an English Barleywine.
• Spectral Hazy – New England IPA – 6.8% ABV – Because one Kveik strain isn’t enough, this NEIPA uses a blend of three to achieve its unique flavors. Kveik yeast is native to Norway and ferment at temperatures around 90F, producing predominantly fruity character and aromas. Supporting these fruity flavors are pounds of Galaxy and Citra hops while oats and wheat balance the palate and mouthfeel.

The Opening Details

Everyone loves a new brewery, right? Today is the day for the official grand opening (though, I suppose that depends on when you’re stumbling upon this post). 6/17/20 they open their doors to the public – and they’ll keep ramping up things as we hopefully continue to trend towards “back to normal” after this shutdown stuff that we’re still working through.

They have food, plenty of outside seating, and are kid-friendly. Get out there, help support them! You can check out their website here, or follow them on social media.