Ovinnik Brewing working toward late summer opening in Timbergrove area

"As a geologist you have to know everything about everything. I’ve found it to be really helpful when I’m in the production of beer," she said.

The crew will likely offer Belgian-style beers, including tripels, witbiers and sours, but the lineup will be driven by what people want, Weber said.

The brewery's space at 7201 Wynnpark Drive, Houston, a former paint warehouse, will have a 3.5-barrel brewing system. A taproom will come eventually, but at the initial opening, it may be bare bones.

"We're bootstrapping it. We'll put out tables and folding chairs and serve it right there," she said. "It will be fun. People will be able to watch how it develops step by step."

The name of the brewery sprung after their first idea, Fascination Brewing, ran afoul of trademark advice. However, they wanted to keep their logo, a three-eyed cat.

Jen Mathis went searching for mythical cats, Weber said, and discovered Ovinnik, a Slavic creature known for protecting barns when they were appeased—and burning them down when they were not.

"It's a good-cat, bad-cat kind of thing," Weber said.