231 Shares

Submitted by The Cider Barrel

Downtown Olympia’s premiere cider bar, The Cider Barrel, has expanded its offerings by adding several imported and Washington wines. This includes becoming an official retailer of Scatter Creek Winery & Brewing.

The Cider Barrel has become the official Olympia retail location for Scatter Creek Winery & Brewing in Tenino. Photo credit: Alek Beers

“We felt it was necessary to be a resource for those who wanted to experience some of the best local, Washington wines,” said Troy Kirby, Cider Barrel owner. “And we don’t charge any uncorking fees, so you can buy a bottle on site, drink some of it with friends here, then cork it to go home without worry of being charged for it.”

Part of the initiative is The Cider Barrel’s Unwine’d Thursdays, which begin July 16 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and continue throughout the summer. Each week, The Cider Barrel will have wine deals on by the glass and by the bottle, as well as host a livestream with a small audience who can listen to a wine expert. Guests include Unique Wine’s Don Hopwood (July 16), Scatter Creek’s Andrea Keary (July 23), and Ambrosia Selection’s Chris Smeaton (July 30).

“This allows us to have a socially distanced crowd, hear great stories about wine choices, and do something fun,” Kirby said. “With furlough Fridays for state workers, it’s a nice respite to get away from the noise of what’s going on and enjoy each other again, even in a livestream format for most of them.”

Friday Night Flights is already a hit promotion for The Cider Barrel, where draft and canned ciders are offered upon, with at least one of every can cracked open so patrons can taste what is available. Six 4-ounce flight choices is $10, while 12 4-ounce flight choices is $18.

The Cider Barrel is a premiere spot for locals to rent out during its non-retail hours for receptions and small events. Photo credit: Alek Beers

“To me, the worst type of experience is dedicating yourself to a full 12-ounce can of cider simply because the can looks pretty,” Kirby said. “We aim to change that. It’s better to taste and then buy what you like, because with us, you can buy a 4-pack or 6-pack to go afterward.”

During July 11’s Friday Night Flights, a couple got engaged at The Cider Barrel and the staff things they will see more of these spontaneous proposals in the future.

Saturdays are also becoming well-attended, as The Cider Barrel has specials on hard seltzer and 64-ounce growlers filled with draft hard ciders to go.

“We’ve got organic hard seltzers that taste like raspberry white chocolate and San Juan Huckleberry, which is 85 calories, zero sugar and only 4.5-percent ABV,” Kirby said. “You may come in for a White Claw, but you may leave impressed with the different hard seltzers out there that will knock your socks off.

Cider Barrel’s Haley Beers shows off a taste during a recent Friday Night Flights Event. Photo credit: Alek Beers

The Cider Barrel has also launched an online review show, where servers Haley Beers and Shannon Glenn try out the various products in stock. The Cider Barrel has the ability to ship out hard cider, hard seltzer and wine orders via UPS directly from its website or online buyers can select to pick up the items in the store during retail hours and avoid the shipping costs.

“A lot of people don’t really know if they like hard cider,” Kirby said. “Their choices on draft have been limited to one on draft in a bar, and it’s about gaining an experience. We hope to be part of that change in getting people toward a non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan experience.”

The Cider Barrel is located at 168 W 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia. It is open Thursdays thru Saturdays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For up to date information visit The Cider Barrel Facebook and Instagram.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
231 Shares