Hidden gem. Lots of great choices here, local, regional and national. A few sours that were tasty as well. The 2022 Bourbon County proprietors imperial stout is the finest of any stout I've ever tasted. The vibe in here is somewhere between classic taproom and 70's cafe. Crocheted art and hangers all over the place. This place is mellow, nostalgic and cozy. I could make it my hangout if I lived up here! read more

Place is fantastic for beer geeks and non-beer geeks. Mellow vibes. Great beer selection. Lots of pleasant locals. And major props for not charging corkage fee on their array of bottles and cans. read more

All of the beers! Great staff with knowledge and spot on suggestions for those narrowing down what you like. Growlers to go and an ever rotating list of good stuff to try. The growler system has a punch card which is handy. They don't serve food here but the sandwich shop next door will deliver in skip. You also have Vic's across the parking lot so bring some pizza in and sit for awhile if you like. Very excited that the slowly changing Oly still values this establishment. Definitely a local gem and worth stopping at whenever in town looking for something special to bring home with you. Such a treat to see them making their own, stocking local awesomeness, and just being a nice no frills spot to have a drink with friends. Good amount of seating inside but it's ok to get cozy and make some new friends. Like to come here early afternoon and really talk to staff about beer before they get too busy. read more

I found this spot - with a quick map search. Had one beer at the Humbly Mumbly Lager brewery across the way. Went and got food at the Thai suggestion across the street and then within that same mall was Skep and Skein taphouse. I walked in and saw lots of people sitting at tables having fun with beers. Mostly high tables and a small patio, too. It smelled bad - like body odor, old beer. I still stayed, bellied up to the bar and reviewed their great selection. I had an IPA of some kind - I try to experiment with some new beer I have never sampled before. I had a nice time - (I was traveling for work) so I always feel energized at a new place. They had friendly customers and board games stacked along the wall to play. Casual taphouse. Wifi and parking. read more

My experience at Skep and Skein tonight was wonderful. My boyfriend, best friend and I decided to check this place out for the first time after hearing great reviews and we weren't disappointed. Friday nights at this place are BUSY. Most of the tables were filled, which really excited me (seeing that usually tells me people love what they're having), and we managed to find a place to sit close to the bar for the three of us. I would say if you want a good seat, go early and snag a spot! They have outdoor seating as well, which was a nice option. The staff was super friendly, respectful, and welcoming. Menus everywhere so you wouldn't have to ask a million questions. Prices were extremely reasonable. The interior was relaxing but simple enough to keep you awake, even as it got later. They only serve drinks, not food, but there are plenty of options in the area. All of us had a round of Blue Mountain Cherry Cider and Ace Joker Apple Cider. The cherry cider was sweet with a tasty sour afterbite, mm! The apple cider mellowed it out perfectly, and was really simple but delicious. If you're looking for a delicious pint with local influence that won't take a huge bite out of your wallet, this is a good choice. We'll definitely be back. read more

Skep & Skein - Blue Mountain Cherry Cider - Pubs Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Lots of choices on tap, if beer or cider is your thang, this is a place worth checking out. The bartenders are a little over eager to know your name, and usually get you to starting a tab (I'm guessing so you're more likely to buy more drinks), and whisk your glass away with a ferocious quickness and offer more drinks (I'm guessing so you're more likely to buy more drinks/guilted into tipping better). They've also chased my friend off of a table and to the back of the bar when she was waiting for me and a few others to show up. In their defense, when I arrived it was fairly busy- but there was a guy sitting alone with his computer who they could have asked to move also. It's a good enough spot, just a way higher pressure environment than I'm comfortable with when I'm looking for a pint to sip and some time to unwind. read more

Most definitely my favorite place to sit down and have a beer in town. The environment is perfect and the service is amazing! Jared, one of the servers has got to be one of the most knowledgable and welcoming servers I have ever met! Tuesdays they tap their meads, and new beers are always rotating in! I have yet to ever see a crappy beer on tap. If you are looking for your next stop for a beer, this is the place! read more

Skep & Skein - The "Split Shot" Stout - Pubs Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Decent beer selection, free tastes, and if you are fully vaccinated they don't require masks, a winning combination in my book.

Wow and wow! This place doesn't look like much, but the drinks I tried were really something special. I tried the lemon basil cider. Yes, lemon and basil cider! It was so tasty! It's not even on the menu and I'm not sure why. It has a very unique flavor and I absolutely loved it. Props to Dusty, the bartender, for recommending it. Very nice dude. I also had the oak barrel aged Mead, which was on the lighter side and I really enjoyed it. Meads, in my opinion, are always a bit heavy, so I was skeptical about trying this one and it was right down my alley. Check out this place and stop in next door and get a Oly Cheese steak sammich at Walley's! You can order and sammich and they will deliver it to you at Skep and Skein! So awesome. read more

This isn't the place to go if you love drinking - this is place to go if you love beer. Let me explain. Walk into almost any bar in Olympia and you pick your drink and you head off to be with your pals, shoot the shit, talk about last night etc. Walk into this bar and you are encouraged to sample any and everything on their impressive menu. If you want an IPA, the bartender will be able to tell you the qualities of each and let you compare them with reference to final gravity, IBUs, etc. If you want a stout, there's a long list to pick from with each of their subtler notes detailed. The owner picks a great variety of brews from microbreweries all around the country and he knows how to do it damn well. They are also the only bar in the area that has a variety of meads to try out (note: they've applied for a license to make their own in house) There's some lighter lagers / red ales / cider / etc. as well, but if you don't like beer and usually just pick up a Bud Light... this isn't the place for you. All of this beer snobbery (I mean that in a good way) aside, they also let you bring in whatever food you want, provide cards and board games, and a nice pile of beer magazines. This is a place to study the art of beer, a beautifully hopped temple in an unsuspecting strip mall location, and a welcome addition to the Olympia bar scene. read more

First bar in Olympia where as I was walking out the door, I was already thinking about when I'd be back. My bf was visiting from Portland and I wanted to plan a fun Friday night date night so I scoured Yelp for a good beer place. After reading the reviews, I decided to give it a shot and we picked up a pizza from Vic's on the way over. I'm not sure what all the fuss is about the decorations. There are high tables, low tables and bar. Sure there are no tv's, but for me that's a bonus. I want my guy focusing on me, not the game on date night :) There are posters and beer signs on the wall, but it's a very clean aesthetic, and actually the whole place felt clean. Unlike most Oly bars where your elbows get sticky on the table tops... You know the ones I'm talking about. The service... wow. I was not expecting such great service. Bartenders were excellent. Friendly, welcoming, and eager to share their knowledge of the beers, ciders, and meads without sounding pretentious (ahem, are you listening Portlanders)... Observing the interactions between the bartenders and the regulars was entertaining and showed that keeping a good rapport with their customers is important to these guys. I tried a cherry chili mead and black current cider, both on tap... both complex and delicious. Bf was happy with the IPAs he tried and was surprised at the great selection. Bartenders were attentive- checked in just as we finished each drink to see if we needed anything. Will definitely return. I actually don't mind that they don't serve food here. They're doing what they're doing excellently- why muck it up with food service. They even brought us out some paper plates and napkins for our pizza and cleared away everything promptly when we were done eating. read more

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If I were reviewing the Skep & Skein purely for its product, there'd be a five star review here. If The Eastside Club is a mecca for local beer, this place is the headquarters for delicious imported strong strong strong beer. I LOVE Belgian beer, and this place has it. Another plus = house made MEAD. I also love mead. This place has it. What this place does NOT have is atmosphere. A small bar, a few tables, fluorescent (??) lighting, a tile floor. I like my bars cozy and homey and like little sanctuaries in the midst of a busy world. This place feels almost like a McDonald's. The service was fine, the beverages amazing, but it just isn't a place I really would want to hang out. I like when I feel like I can bring a book and stay awhile. read more

My s/o and I moved to Olympia this year from Bellingham. We lived five minutes from downtown and we were used to having amazing establishments close by (Honey Moon, Elizabeth Station, McKay's Taphouse, etc). We've been around town looking for a great bar with good beer/wine/cider selection and have had little success. Until last night. The bar itself is in a very inconspicuous place (looks like a strip mall next to Grocery Outlet). There was an eclectic mix of patrons which seemed to be a good sign. What was a better sign was their drink selection at reasonable prices. They offered many, many beers, ciders and wines. We both got a black currant cider (sweet, sour, tart deliciousness!). My next order will be something mead- I didn't notice the mead selection until I had ordered my drink! Jeremy was our bartender. He was really sweet- he asked our names and presented himself ever so kindly. I hear that the rest of the bartenders are equally as nice. We'll be back! read more

This tavern is now my #2 for Oly! I think the modest decorations and florescent lighting are perfect! This place is about the BEER and the cribbage boards! (If you want stupid pointless crap all over the walls and flat screen TVs go over to Ps&Qs.) Johnny is a rock-star server and the beer selection is RA-tarded! So pull up a chair and hangout with some of the local hipsters! read more

I'm rating solely the physical manifestation (the bartender was fine and the cider is good): Really: A strip mall? (Even if it's sideways to the street.) And the atmosphere is fluorescent-lit fastfood restaurant/convenience store. Who can relax in such an ambience? (I couldn't drink enough to accomplish that.) With all the great vacant storefronts in Olympia, there's got to be a better locale. read more

Odd little place, in a strip mall--not exactly what I was expecting. They don't serve any sort of food--again, not expecting that. As a beer hater, it is probably surprising that I gave this 4 stars. They have a wide range of beer, mead, and ciders for reasonable price. Ambiance has a bit of that cafeteria style feel if you don't sit at the bar, but it is OK for good service and good prices. S/o had a glass of the house blackberry mead, which he liked quite a bit. I've never had mead before so I gave it a go. Much sweeter and more blackberrier (that's right... blackberrier) than I was expecting, but still had that "moldy barnyard" aftertaste that I dislike about beer--wasn't my thing. I got a cherry cider which tasted like juice to me and was quite tasty! read more

If you're looking for a relaxing place to enjoy a nice pint of tasty brew, this is the place to come. First of all, they have an AMAZING selection of beers, both on tap and in the bottle. They literally have a type of beer for everyone, whether you're a beer elitist, a newbie, or into specific types of beers (i.e. IPA, Belgians, Stouts, Lagers, etc.) If you're not into beer, which is hard to believe (gasp), they also have a small but delicious selection of honey wines and meads. What makes this place even more awesome is the service. It's fast, personable, and at times, helpful (if you're stuck on what to order). Did I mention the prices? This place allows you to try new as well as old favorites while still being budget-friendly! They don't serve food here, but if you order at the sandwich shop next door, they'll deliver it to you here free of charge! Way awesome! Moral to the story? Go now, go often, and enjoy! P.S. Did I mention they even have a happy hour?? Everything is .50 off from 4-7! read more

Great place for a craft-brew in Oly! They have 12-15 taps that are on constant churn of great craft-brews. I believe they make their own mead here so you can usually find a mead or cider if you prefer that to beer. They don't have hard alcohol, nor do they serve food, however there are a number of good nearby restaurants where you can get food and either have it delivered or just bring it in with you. While S & S isn't huge on personality or charm (it's in a strip-mall), it's a great place to go with friends if you're in Olympia. read more

CALIFORNIA NEEDS A SKEP & SKEIN!! As a southern Californian that home brews and enjoys a fantastic beer selection, Skep & Skein is heaven. My boyfriend and I just happened upon it when visiting Olympia for the first time. This place almost made us move to Washington. The service is prompt, knowledgable, and outstanding. The beer list is to drool for, and you can order food next door to eat there (no food whatsoever is served/made there). Each drink is served in a glass best suited for its style, which is a great perk. I wish I could've gone for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The atmosphere is relaxing, everyone is friendly, and the prices are cheap. Plus, there's a knitting club that meets if you're into that. Coolest place ever. A must go for beer lovers on a trip through Washington. read more

Fun new-ish bar in Olympia, that combines two of my favorite things: tasty adult beverages and knitting. I have only been once so far, but got great, really friendly service and some seriously yummy beers. They have an excellent beer selection, and I am looking forward to trying their meads next time I'm in. It's a bit of a bummer that they don't serve food, but they at least make it as easy as possible to bring in (or have delivered) food from other establishments. My only complaint is that once dusk settles, there are fluorescent lights outside that fill the bar with a pretty off-putting light and I hope that as they get up and running, some nice, heavy draperies make it into their budget. I don't normally like bars with no windows, but to be able to batten down the hatches once it's dark would really improve the ambiance (increase the cozy factor) of this place!! I will definitely be back, knitting in hand! read more

Introduced me to Cherry Cider. Need I say more? OK then. Great selection of beers, friendly atmosphere. Order a Wally's sandwich from next door and they will allow you to eat it there. How neat is that! If I lived on the Westside I would probably hang out there more often. A hidden gem. read more

Alright! This place is great. I like a place without liquor. Why? You don't have as many drunken idiots stumbling around vomiting. Not like I've ever done that. And you can buy a sandwich next door at Wally's and they'll bring it out to you, even if you're sitting on the patio (which is smoke-free). The three sizes of beer (5, 9 and 16 ounce for on tap; plus I believe some 20 ounce bottles?) means you can have a last round that is more like a nightcap when you want one more drink but not a full pint. High-fives, Skep & Skein. You're rad. read more

Skep & Skein - Lager and a mini-French dip from Wally's next door. Perfect. - Pubs Near Me - Olympia, Washington

My favorite bar in the Olympia area. The staff is awesome and I love the rotating selection of beer. Great ambiance and overall chill spot. read more

Good beer good people good times... Love it that you can take growlers to go and they always have a great selection read more

Skep & Skein - nice lil craft bar in Olympia great beers and prices .... - Pubs Near Me - Olympia, Washington

This is my favorite place in Olympia to go for an oat soda. The prices are a little higher than normal, but with a constantly rotating selection of finely crafted ales on tap I can't complain. The owner Dave brews his own mead in small batches. Once the mead is tapped it goes fast so be sure to grab a glass while you can. They don't serve food here, but you can bring in food from any of the neighboring establishments (Apollo's, Vic's, Wally's, or the California Taco Truck). The crowd is an eclectic mix of hipsters, mature folks, and people who love a good beer. The knowledgeable staff and casual atmosphere make this an excellent place to stop in for a pint. read more

The customer service is still the best in town. There are a few new faces behind the bar since my last review - all super friendly and knowledgeable about the beers they have on tap and in the bottle that day. The wonderful selection is ever changing; but the great staff still know what I like and make great recommendations every time. I like beer! I really like the selection that you get a Skep. No matter what time of the afternoon or evening you go to Skep, you will be able to have a conversation with everyone at your table. Occasionally the bar keeps will join in - they are really funny people. Sarah, Jared, Mikey - yall really make my Saturday evening something to look forward too!!!! read more

Awesome place to hang out and try some new beers. The range of serving sizes to choose from (5oz -16oz + growlers to go) makes it easy to get what you want in the quantities you want. Have to dock 1 start for featuring too many IPA's relative to other types of beers. I happen to hate IPA's; but if you love them, then you are in luck. Was tempted to dock another star for lack of ambiance as others have mentioned, but I cant really say that it was bad enough to bother me (especially not after a few beers). read more

Craft beer lovers place. Local taps with local people. Great beer with an awesome sandwich shop next door. In town on business and wanted to check the craft brew scene. Wish I had this place in my neighborhood. Come check it out. read more

Skep & Skein - Local IPA - Pubs Near Me - Olympia, Washington

My favorite part of Skep is the service. I visited once with a large group, then stopped by again about four days later and the bartender remembered my face! Johnny and Dave are VERY friendly and knowledgeable about their brews. The location is easy to find and the decor has potential (but needs more knit contributions!). There is a huge variety of beer and mead, and they take care to keep it varied from the rest of the brew in town. They let you sample everything. The Sunshine Nectar is my favorite! My ONLY issue with this establishment is the nasty fluorescent lighting! read more

This place was absolutely lovely. Its so hard to find a quiet bar in which I could do homework! They have great brews and it was quite lovely being able to do work without being really distracted. Next time ill try the food. read more

Yes Skep and Skein! Even in grad school, I was always the one skipping the library to study in cafes and coffee shops. I always thought I was more productive and had more fun in those kinds of places. And i always thought regardless of how productive I was with a coffee in front of me, imagine how much more productive id be with a beer or cider! Well! Skep and Skein is THE PERFECT bar/tastery to do it all- whether you are enjoying a drink solo, gathering with friends, or have your laptop in tow to do some work, update that blog, or study, this is your place. The beer, cider and meadery selection is great, bar staff knowledgeable and the setting-- as described above- is great for all kinds of people and tasks. Ive come here many a time to do work and also many a time with friends and I am always welcomed to a great time and delicious drinks (and fast wifi!) read more

I love the owners, employees, amazing selection of spirits, and that Wally's will bring over my sandwich. Highly recommended!

Skep and Skein is one of my go to places. I go by once a week with a friend and we grab a drink and catch-up. What is on tap is constantly changes which allows my friend and I to try a variety of ciders. The space is generally pretty mellow, but it does get busy some days. The bartenders are very friendly and it isn't a space to get drunk in. Just a place to enjoy quality beers/ciders/meads. I got the Black Currant Lavender Mead and it was a perfect. A good balance of sweet to tart. At this bar I generally stick to ciders. So, much so that the bartenders expect me to get it and will pull a taste of what is on tap once they see me come in. read more

Skep & Skein - Black Currant Lavender Mead - Pubs Near Me - Olympia, Washington

This place is great. Lowkey, local feel. Great selection of beer, cider, and even mead. Bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable. Even better, next door is a great sandwich place... Wally's... where you can order a sandwich and they will bring it to you over here. read more

Popped in here for a couple of pints while waiting for our food from Wally's Sandwich Shop next door. Service was really great - friendly and chatty. And the server was really knowledgeable about all of the beer. We had a good time and delicious beer! read more

This place is wonderful for those beer enthusiasts out there. The setting is simple; you got tables, and a great ever changing beer menu. Bring in your own snacks and food or activities and you're good to go. I actually enjoy the simplicity of Skep & Skein. There isn't the noise and bustle you experience at traditional pub and diners. Very relaxed. read more

This place destroys the stereotype for a Favorite Tavern. You'll never find the big name "beer" here, only the most amazing microbrews. No trendy decorations to drive the price up and draw in the posers. Owner Dave and rockstar bartender Johnny know exactly what's great about every brew, every mead, every cider they serve. And they know their patrons; if you've been there before, expect to be greeted by name. They brew their own mead, but it's so popular, it's only served once a month ("third Tuesdays"). This is an amazing trend-breaking, friendly, place with great people and great brews. read more

Amazing beer selection. The owner and bartenders are very personable. By the third time you come in, they will know you on a first name basis. Not to mention the fact that they have the best beer selection in the country. Skep and Skein has a rotating selection of beers from the bottom to the top of the Pacific Northwest, mecca of beer. It is a local spot for a reason. read more

Mead!! I was so happy to find a local place that sells its own mead! We love the different varieties. Staff is friendly too!

this p:ace sells beer. bar tender with egyptian iconography tattoos calls women "my darling, " doesn't like it when people call him "my darling." weird. read more