Mead and Knitting Join at Skep and Skein

skep and skein
Bartender John Hebenstreit stands outside the West Olympia bar that melds brew and yarn.
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By Lindsey Surrell

hanson motors sponsorMost bar-goers will tell you the same thing: you go to a bar for the drinks, but you come back because of the atmosphere.  At Skep and Skein, I came back for the knitting.  And then, I came back for the mead.

At a table reserved for stitch night, I admitted to the 10 women gathered around I knew little about knitting.  Amongst the various projects worked on- from hand knitting to embroidering to newborn shark footies- I was gifted with friendly hands-on explanation, thread and needle advice, and even some correction when I inevitably mis-stitched.

skep and skein
Wednesday night stitching group welcomes all levels to join at Skep and Skein in Olympia.

In between rows, I sipped mead and listened to how stitch night began with the bar, four years ago, and how some of the original stitchers are still participating every Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m.

Mead, a second highlight of this bar, is created by fermenting honey with water (and sometimes other flavorings like fruit or spices), and is synonymous with honey wine.  At Skep and Skein, a new house-made mead is released every Tuesday evening.  Previous arrivals include Blackberry Lavender and Green Tea, and many sell out quickly.

This week’s less sweet and perfectly spicy Wildflower Habanero was unexpectedly delightful – the habanero spice balancing out the honey made it easy to drink without any fanning the mouth or sweaty aftereffect.

Skep and Skein owners Dave Ross and Kriste Henderson named their bar after their passions: Skep, which is a type of beehive (and bees make honey and honey makes mead), and Skein, a length of yarn. Amongst the bar’s décor are knitted hops and beehives, teamwork at its best.

Beyond knitting and mead, many bar-goers come back for the wide selection of beer, friendly bartenders and casual atmosphere Skep and Skein radiates.  With no television in sight, many are prepared with a Scrabble board, a deck of cards, a novel, or turning to their neighbor and bartender for a conversation.  One of the bartenders, John Hebenstreit, also let me know about the cribbage tournaments on Sunday nights and brew nights, featuring a select brewery, on various Thursday nights.

The drinks are affordable – with some less than $5 for a full 16 ounces – and outside food is welcomed. Since Skep and Skein is nestled in the strip mall with Wally’s Sandwich Bar, Vic’s Pizzeria, and Basil Leaf Thai, you have plenty to choose from.  An extra bonus – Wally’s will deliver your sandwich to you.

skep and skein
Bartender John Hebenstreit stands outside the West Olympia bar that melds brew and yarn.

Hebenstreit illustrated the bar’s vibe by saying that even if you order a beer at 10:30 p.m., take your time and finish it; no one will rush you out.

Whether to finish that scarf, try a new drink, or enjoy an unexpected conversation with a stranger, you’ll find plenty to come back for.

Skep and Skein

2106 Harrison Ave NW in Olympia

360-292-4400

www.skepandskein.com

Follow the tavern via Facebook.

Hours – 1:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. daily with Happy Hour between 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

 

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