Friday, February 21. 2014
Brian Purcell started as a home brewer. For years he would craft and perfect his recipes for beer using a keg system. This past summer Purcell left his home brewing kit for a bigger and better playground so to speak. Hence the beginning of Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur. I met with Brian and photographed a typical Friday night at the brewery. Tastings and tours of the facility were the name of the game on Friday as people came in to try the four or so beers that Purcell has been making on a larger scale for the past 8 or so months. The tasting room has an old world feel which really appealed to me. Exposed brick and reclaimed timber and wood with chandeliers made of empty bottles and steel. It was simple, elegant and a pretty awesome atmosphere to go along with some tasty beverages.
Tokens and glasses sit waiting for visitors to Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Tillis Ross grabs a beer from the bar at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Danny Ritchie (right) pours a beer for Hannah Cho (left) and Natalie Rogol at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
A shadow of someone drinking at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur is reflected on the brick wall on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Chris Hess grabs a beer from the bar at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Jeff Hampel (left) talks with Steve Tsiotsias as he takes a swig of beer at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
A vintage car sits outside of Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Sarah Spear (right) hands glasses to Lisa Krajewski and Kathy Hewitt (left) at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Christa Russie (right) talks with Mike Foster as they drink beer at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Mary Alice Jasperse (left) talks to Evan Meyers as they drink beer at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Brian Purcell (right), owner and brewmaster at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur, talks to a group of people during a tour on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Mitch Muhlheim (center left) and Whitney Kazragis listen to Brian Purcell, owner and brewmaster at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur, as they take a tour of the facility on Friday, February 21, 2014.
A glass of beer sits in front of a crowd of people as they take a tour of Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Brian Purcell, owner and brewmaster at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur, talks to a group of people during a tour on Friday, February 21, 2014.
J.V. Gortney pours a beer at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
J.V. Gortney (right) pours a beer for Jeff Burnett as Julia Interrante waits her turn to order at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.
Danny Ritchie (right) and J.V. Gortney pour beers at Three Taverns Craft Brewery in Decatur on Friday, February 21, 2014.