Members of 3 Stars Brewing Company‘s”Illuminati” membership club were the first to hear the big news Sunday night. The brewery’s long-awaited beer hall is set to open in May. About a year ago, founders Mike McGarvey and Dave Coleman inked a deal to take over a vacant church space next door to their original brewery, tasting room, and home brew shop located at 6400 Chillum Pl. NW.

“The project has had such a long runway leading up to execution and completion, we’ve had the opportunity to really pour over the feel, layout, and aesthetic of the space,” Coleman says. “I’m stoked man. You’re going to lose your marbles.”

The front of the sprawling new space will be a “traditional German beer hall with an urban feel,” according to Coleman. He’s hiring local artists to graffiti the walls and is installing large wood communal tables you might find in Munich. There will also be an area for bands to set up to play live music.

Those enjoying pint after pint will be able to gaze to the back of the room where 3 Stars is relocating its sour beer-production facility they lovingly call the “Funkerdome.” They expect to have about 150 barrels back there. The barrels formerly held everything from wine to bourbon.

The plan is to have 30 taps in the beer hall that dispense everything from 3 Stars favorites that are widely available to rare pours that can only be tasted on site. The expanded number of taps will also allow 3 Stars to pour more collaborations with local producers like ANXO Cider. 

While the brewery has relied on food trucks alone to supply brewery visitors with something to munch on, the beer hall will have a small kitchen serving meats, cheeses, sausages, and sandwiches. Coleman is already in talks with some of his food friends, including CHIKO and Taco Bamba, to host week-long pop-ups in the space.

The beer hall will be open seven days a week. It will double as a private events venue. Coleman says they already have five weddings booked for the fall. None of the brides have been bridezillas. “If you’re having your wedding in a brewery, you’re probably already pretty chill,” he says.

3 Stars Brewing Company, 6400 Chillum Pl. NW; (202) 670-0333; 3starsbrewing.com