Olympia Beer

In 1896, Olympia Pale Export was introduced in Washington State by Leopold F. Schmidt.
Olympia was the first beer sold with metal caps (1898) instead of corks. G. Heileman Brewing
acquired the company in 1982, and since 1999 it has been a Pabst brand, available in the West
and parts of the Mid-West. At one time, Olympia Light and Olympia Dry (one can of which this
writer has in his possession) were sold, but today only Olympia and Olympia Ice are on the
market. Oly, as Olympia is affectionately known, has 4.73% alcohol; Oly Ice has 6.0% alcohol. 

According to the Olympia website, "Pure mountain water and golden barley tan this smooth
sculpted beer like Mount Olympia itself. Crowned with a garland of fresh herbal hops, Olympia
stands shoulders above other beers." This writer suggests that the reader try an Oly, if the
opportunity presents itself, to see if the website hype matches reality. I have happy memories
of the few times I've been able to sample the beer. This beer is given no radio, television, or
print advertising attention, but one might see a point-of-sale item at a beer store.  While not a
large seller, this beer does enjoy a small, loyal following.