Take an Award-Winning Beer Tour around Thurston County (Plus 4 Summer Brew Fests)

top rung brewing
Top Rung's outdoor patio is perfect for a sunny afternoon pint. Dogs and kids welcome.
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By Nikki McCoy

VCB logoIn Thurston County, we love our beer. Since the close of our historic Olympia Brewery in 2003, there has been a resurgence of craft breweries, bringing delicious beers and passionate brewers back to our region.

We’re lucky each of these craft breweries is unique. While the goals of brew masters and bar owners are ultimately the same – great beer and happy customers – the passion behind each of these breweries shines through, both in atmosphere of the establishment, and flavor of the beer.

It’s the latter quality that determines which breweries won Washington Beer Awards during the 10th annual Washington Brewers Festival June 19 -21. Using blind format under the Brewers Association Style Guidelines, 716 beers were judged in the competition, entered by 107 Washington breweries. Out of those entries, three Thurston County Breweries took home medals. Neighboring Lewis County took home one.

top rung brewery
Top Rung’s My Dog Scout Stout took Gold in the American Stout category of the Washington Beer Awards.

Here, we take at look at those winners, as well as some up-and-comers. Plus, get the lowdown on this summer’s brew fests.

Top Rung Brewing – 8343 Hogum Bay Lane NE, Lacey

Top Rung Brewing garnered Gold for their My Dog Scout Stout in the American Stout category of the Washington Beer Awards. The brewery is known for its family-friendly atmosphere (games available, but bring your own food) and of course, the origin of the company – beer-loving firefighters.

“I feel there is a kinship with the brewers being firemen. I hear all the time how a fireman in a customer’s life has come to their need or aid,” says Mike Besser, beer ambassador for Top Rung. “With that it is easy to see how my brewers Jason and Casey have developed a great following.  They have been brewing for five years as home brewers and now as professionals a little over a year.  They take the passion and love for great beer and pass it on in what they brew.”

Fish Brewing Company – 515 Jefferson Street SE, Olympia

Fish Brewing Company was awarded Washington State Brewery of the Year Award, based on wins in multiple style categories. Fish’s longevity in the community is sustained by their menu, their beers and ciders, and their pub, all boasting Northwest flair.

Fish Tale Organic IPA, Leavenworth Boulder Bend Dunkelweizen, and Leavenworth Premium Lager all won gold medals while Leavenworth Whistling Pig Hefeweizen took home Silver.

“Capturing this award is enormous,” says Sal Leone, CEO and president of Fish, in a press release. “It has been our priority recently to improve our beers and company branding. This award proves that our hard work has paid off. I am extremely proud of our brewery staff and their hard work.”

three magnets olympia
“Olympia Brewfest is a wild mix of people,” says Three Magnets manager Blake Brady, “but it’s really fun to just nerd out about beer.” Visit Blake along with head brewer Pat Jansen, and owner Nate Reilly, at this year’s Olympia Brewfest, taking place Saturday, Aug 1, at the Port Plaza in downtown Olympia.

Three Magnets Brewing – 600 Franklin Street SE, Olympia

Downtown Olympia’s Three Magnets Brewing Company, the love-child of Darby’s and great beer, took home Bronze for their Barley Wine. A great place to bring family and out-of-town guests, ‘3 Mags’ is a hub for beer enthusiasts. They also serve a delicious Jamburger.

Head brewer Pat Jensen speaks to the state of the brew scene in Thurston County. “There is an incredible and sustained amount of enthusiasm. I expect to see several more nanos open in the next few years as well as several more production/brewpubs,” he says.

“We are all extremely busy keeping up with production so the interest from the public is strong,” Jensen continues. “One of my main concerns is the knowledge base of our brewing community and an understanding of beer quality at a fundamental level. To this point, we have all been real open in challenging each other to keep quality up. The free exchange of information – so much a part of the wider brewing community – is strong in Thurston County. My personal goal is, as always, clean beer and having fun.”

Dick’s Brewing Company – 3516 Galvin Road, Centralia

While not technically in Thurston County, many locals embrace Dick’s Brewing Company, with company headquarters based just south of the county line.

Picking up Bronze for both their Cream Stout and Imperial Red, Dick’s is also recognized for their custom sausage. Sample their award-winning beer at the brewery itself, or head down the street to Northwest Sausage & Deli, to try one of 11 Dick’s Beers on tap (or homemade root beer) while enjoying craft made lunch meats and sausages. Keep an eye out for their new location in downtown Centralia, set to open this summer.

dicks beer homebrew contest
Dave Pendelton, Brew Master at Dick’s Brewing, celebrates two recent medals for his beers.

Back in Thurston County, new kids on the brew block include Triceratops Brewing Company, a nano-brewery in West Olympia. Production only, the beers are on rotation at Three Magnets, Rhythm & Rye, Eastside Club Tavern and Northwest Beerwerks.

Also on the radar is O – Town Brewing. Formerly Kastelan Brewing, this one is also a production-only nano-craft brewery with influences in Northwest and European styles. It’s also the first brewery to open and stick around since Fish Brewing. Find it at restaurants and in tap rooms.

In downtown Olympia, Cascadia Homebrew is both brewing and selling on premise. A hybrid of taproom/supply store/nano-brewery, the shop also features a guest tap.

 

Keep an eye out for local breweries at the following summer festivals:

  • Olympia Brewfest – Saturday, Aug 1, 30+ breweries, $25/advance, $30/door, Port Plaza, Olympia.
  • Tumwater Artesian Brewfest – Saturday, Aug 22, 45 breweries, $20, Tumwater Valley Golf Course, Tumwater.
  • Brats, Brews and Bands – Saturday, Sept 12, $15, Area/Building 27, South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia.
  • Oktoberfest – Saturday, Sept 26, Fish Brewing Company, Olympia.

 

fish brewing olympia
Fish Brewing Company won Washington Beer Awards Brewery of the Year. Visit them as part of Thurston County’s Award-Winning Brewery Tour and taste for yourself.

Beer Bonus – To keep posted on the area’s brew happenings, follow these folks:

Peaks and Pints – Daily Beer and Mountain Culture – also on Instagram

BrewDad.com – In search of the Ultimate Barley Pop (Top Rung’s Mike Besser)

Washington Beer Blog – Everything Beer in the Evergreen State

South Sound Craft Crawl – Join this crawl club, and tour Top Rung, Fish Brewing and Three Magnets, as well as 12 other South Sound breweries.

 

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