Brew Horizons, 3 Car Garage Brewery

3 Car Garage Brewery

When partners Stu Drymon and Darrell Jackson started hobby brewing almost a decade ago, it wasn’t their intention to ever sell their beer. And yet, here they are celebrating the third anniversary of their beer-making venture: 3 Car Garage Brewing Company.

Florida natives, Drymon and Jackson had already been friends by way of their daughters—who’d met in elementary school—the first time they were invited to brew with a buddy.

“It was some sort of spiced beer, but we were having so much fun we forgot to add the spice and just made an amber,” recalls Drymon. After that, he says he “caught the bug,” as occasional brewing became once a month, which turned into once a week.

“I was driving my wife crazy,” says Drymon. “When I take on a hobby, I go all in.”

Jackson recalls getting a beginner brew kit for Christmas from his wife. After that, he says he moved right on to more traditional brewing.

Although they each created their own home-brew operations, they continued sharing information and connecting over the process. Then, three-ish years after that first session, what started as experimental moved on to the next level. They gave themselves a name and ventured outside their three-car garages, attending festivals and competitions where they’d hand out samples.

“People would ask time and time again: ‘Where can I buy this?’” says Jackson. “We’d tell them ‘We don’t have a business but stop by the garage, and we can give you some.”’

The brewery scene wasn’t new to Drymon, a second-generation owner of a statewide commercial refrigeration business. He’d helped set up—and still maintains—refrigeration systems at several well-known Sarasota breweries. He’d pop into the back room and study the brewing methods whenever he had a chance. He’d also chat with other professional brewers, who were more than willing to offer advice given the inclusive nature of craft brewing.

Thanks to the encouragement of other local brewers and positive tasting feedback, Drymon and Jackson continued to hone their craft until, eventually, it officially went from a hobby to a full-on brewing company and a taproom.

“It started as a retirement sort of a joke,” says Drymon. “But when the opportunity came up to make it into a business, we went for it.”

The partners agree that their continued small-batch brewing and constant tap turnover make 3CG unique compared to other breweries. They maintain a core group of beers but out of 16 taps, as many as six change as often as every other week. The 3CG offerings don’t focus on any one type of beer, either. Instead, the they offer everything from coffee stouts to sours to German lagers and, yes, even the ever-popular IPA. There seems to be something for every type of beer lover.

“As brewers, we are not afraid to try new recipes and even take ideas and inspiration from customers,” says Drymon. “There is lots of variety, and you never know what you are gonna find.”

“Stu kind of has an affinity for IPAs, and higher octane, hoppy beers, and I like to create a little bit of everything,” says Jackson.

If you aren’t into beer drinking but love someone who is—or maybe just enjoy the brewery scene—3CG also offers housemade seltzers and a selection of wine and nonalcoholic options. Whatever type of beverage visitors choose, they can enjoy inside the bright and airy taproom or on the patio, where there is a daily rotation of food trucks stationed.

“We just wanted a place that was happy and cheerful and where people smile, laugh, and enjoy themselves,” says Drymon.

Located in a plaza off SR 64, 3CG is family- and pet-friendly and offers live music and some pretty unique events (think Music Bingo). As for distribution, 3CG beer is already in some restaurants and taprooms in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. However, Drymon and Jackson are open to expanding their distribution footprint and, possibly, their canning operation.

“I’d like to see us recognized in the area and possibly on the shelves in some retail locations,” says Jackson, who carries four decades of experience in the retail grocery industry.

For now, the two continue to settle in, taking it slow and happy to create a solid variety of good beer, which can also be enjoyed in a great space with friends.

“I enjoy walking in on a Friday and knowing half to three-quarters of the people at the bar and then introducing myself to the rest,” says Drymon. “You never know who your next friend will be.”

> 3 Car Garage Brewery: 8405 Heritage Green way, Bradenton; 941-741-8877; 3cargaragebrewing.com

Join 3 Car Garage Nov. 5 as they celebrate the three-year anniversary of the taproom with the drop of new brews as well as some of the favorites from years past. They’ll offer live music starting at 3 p.m. and a few food trucks to choose from.