Our Story
3Flags – From derelict pottery workshop, to East Cork’s newest and only craft brewery!
The name says it all. Mike, an American, Julia, a German, and their new life in Ireland starting in 2021. 3Flags is a nod to the three places that shaped them.
It also happens to match Mike’s three favourite beers: Irish Stout, American Pale, and German Hefeweizen.
Our Property
Three acres, four historic buildings, one new brewery
The Kilmahon property is roughly three acres, with the main guest house, Coach House and rose garden shed all built in 1780 and registered as historic buildings. The fourth building — once a pottery workshop — is being converted into the brewery, measuring approximately 17m × 11m.
Physical security includes securely locked doors and two infrared security cameras covering the only route on and off the property. Mike and Julia live on site.
The Brewery
A traditional, small-batch brewhouse
Housed in a converted single-storey building on the Kilmahon property, the brewery has an anticipated capacity of 700–1000 litres per batch, with up to four fermentation vessels and two brite tanks for aging and packaging. The brewery will also host basic brewing courses for those interested in home brewing, or just curious about the process from Grain-to-Glass. Tours and tastings will also be offered.
Mash / Lauter Tun
Kettle / Whirlpool
Hot Liquor Tank
Glycol Chiller
Equipment on order
- Used 500L brewhouse from Spain
- New fermenters & packaging equipment — Czech Brewery Systems & Speidel (Germany)
- Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) cart — Polsinelli Enologia, Italy
- In-house beer analyzer
Traditional methods
Beers are brewed to replicate the conditions of their country of origin — for example, the Hefeweizen uses malt, hops and yeast strains sourced specifically from Bavaria. Ingredients come from trusted Irish, German and UK maltsters and hop suppliers.
Building Progress
Three acres, four historic buildings, one new brewery
The Brewery Building — Before & After
2023 — original roof, before renovation
2023 — the back half was in collapse
2026 — new resin floor, lighting & drainage
Interior Fit-Out
Framing and fit-out taking shape in the main brewing room
The neighbouring Coach House, fully restored
The road to opening
Seven stages from derelict pottery shed to first pour.
Exterior building renovation
New walls, roof, foundation, windows, doors and 3-phase power — finished Winter 2024.
Interior construction
Floor levelling, drain & sump, resin-concrete brewing floor, polymer-resin floor, walls painted, office and storage built.
Equipment selection & purchase
500L brewhouse, fermenters, and packaging equipment is being sourced within the EU.
Water treatment, plumbing & cold room build
RO water treatment, discharge collection, and building the walk-in cold room.
Equipment installation, testing, & certification
Test batches & initial marketing
Full-scale test brews and initial marketing to our local network.
Grand Opening
3 Flags Brewing opens its doors.