Well 80 Artesian Brewing Company opened its doors March 19 in downtown Olympia. Complete with a restaurant and a 10-barrel brewing system, Well 80 is a brewery and brewpub built on the site of one of Olympia’s famous artesian wells. In addition to tasty craft beers, Well 80 serves pizza, burgers and sandwiches, all with a unique twist, in its all-ages restaurant.
Co-owner Chris Knudson is enthused by revitalization efforts bringing a new sense of excitement to downtown Olympia. He also points to a number of craft breweries in the area that have surfaced in the past few years. Three Magnets Brewing, Matchless Brewing and Top Rung Brewing are joining local staple Fish Brewing Company.
“Olympia’s history is built on beer,” Knudson says. “There’s a growing brewing community here and we’re happy to be part of it.”
Knudson is speaking of Leopold Schmidt, a politician and brewer from Montana, who traveled to Olympia in 1895 to observe construction of the Washingtonstate capitol. After being introduced to Olympia’s artesian water, he proclaimed, “With this water, I can brew better beer than ever!” The next year, at the foot of Tumwater Falls, the Olympia Brewing Company was born. Its beer was made with water from the artesian wells made famous by the slogan “It’s the Water.”
At Well 80, all of its “Well Made” beers are brewed in-house by experienced brewers. The company also features a series of rotating guest taps supporting the local brewing community. You might find Triceratops Pennsyltucky Lager, Cascadia Elderberry Porter, or Whitewood Cider Co. Olivia Newtown-Jonathan cider blend.
Well 80’s goal is to follow in the footsteps of Leopold Schmidt, Paul Knight and all the other pioneers that made great beer from some of the best water in the world.
KELLY LENIHAN
For Additional Information
Well 80 Artesian Brewing
514 Fourth Ave E, Olympia
360.915.6653
well80.com