Buzzed-about Three Weavers brewery opens Saturday

In a slate gray industrial building in Inglewood, a towering grain silo marks the newest tenant of the building - Three Weavers Brewing Co., a new project from a small team of industry veterans led by financial planner, entrepreneur and home brewer Lynn Weaver that is already generating considerable buzz.

On a recent visit, they scurried around the 12,000-square foot-brewery attending to all the last-minute details while teams of contractors put finishing touches on the tasting room and the landscaping, and surly truck drivers delivered more equipment in advance of the official grand opening party Saturday.

The ambitious craft brewery made its nominal debut during L.A. Beer Week’s Battle of the Bands, where a keg of Expatriate IPA sold-through in seemingly record time. The beer continued to generate buzz throughout Beer Week and won considerable praise from attendees at Denver’s Great American Beer Festival earlier this month.

In addition to the Expatriate IPA (a solid West Coast-style IPA that showcases the pungent and fruity character of modern hop varieties like Eldorado and Mosaic), the core lineup includes Seafarer -- a balanced and drinkable kolsch; Stateside -- a session IPA that manages big pine and citrus hop character and a slight, refreshing body; Deep Roots -- a traditional English ESB (extra special bitter -- though the style is far less bitter than American-style pale ales and IPAs); and Midnight Flight -- an imperial stout with a layered malt complexity and a drinkability that belies the 9.5% alcohol content.

Brewmaster Alexandra Nowell, who has brewed professionally at Sierra Nevada and Drakes Brewing, and who won two medals at last year’s Great American Beer Festival while brewing at Lancaster’s Kinetic Brewery, says her particular style focuses on showcasing quality ingredients. The ESB in particular demonstrates her deft balance of traditionalist tendencies and West Coast flair; the brew envelops the tongue with rich graham and biscuit flavors from all English malts, but it retains a dry finish with a snappy hop bite.

You can taste the core beers, and a few other specialties (including a London-style porter and hop-bomb double IPA) during the grand opening party beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets to the debut, which benefit the I Have A Dream Foundation of Los Angeles, are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include a pint glass and 4 full pours. The brewery will be filling growlers beginning on Saturday, and they hope to begin bottling by the end of the year.

Three Weavers Brewing Company, 1031 W. Manchester Blvd., Unit A-B, Inglewood, (310) 400-5830