Old Beer Brands Never Die, They Just Move Away

Apologies to Gen. Douglas C. MacArthur, the World War II commander in the Pacific, for the headline, but that's the gist of a story in the News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash.

Founded in 1896 by Leopold F. Schmidt (1846-1914), Olympia Beer went through a couple of ownership changes before being closed down in 2021. But now, new versions of it are alive and well.

It's now being brewed in Saskatchwan, Canada, by Great Western Brewing, under license. While the can still looks like the historic Olympia can, it's now label "100% Saskatchwan" and "Born in Canada. Only Made in Canada. 100% Canadian Owned.|

A cousin, "Olympic Revival," is being brewed in San Antonio by Kunstler Brewing.  Crafted with Great Western Malt from Washington barley, this brew honors Olympia’s Northwest roots. It’s a collaboration 128 years in the making, inspired by the pleasure of reviving a beloved American classic, and bringing it back to life for enthusiasts old and new to savor and celebrate.

And then there's Olympia Artesian Vodka, which is being brewed by Olympia Distilling Co. in Tumwater, Wash., where the beer began, in Tumwater, Wash. Olympia Distilling is currently running a crowdfunding campaign "to scale operations, expand distribution and bring our award-wining spirits to new markets."

In addition to Olympia Vodka, the company is also producing Kelsey Gin, named for Kelsey Buchanan (1986-2023), a nonsmoker who at 33 was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer because of a genetic mutation.

Kelsey was involved in every step of creating the new product. She helped develop the formulas, hand-selected the saffron that infuses the Gold Gin, and helped craft the butterfly pea flower blend that gives the Blue Gin its stunning color-changing quality. She oversaw the label designs, picked out the bottles, and made decisions down to the closure details. These gins became her baby—something she could shape and be proud of beyond the battle she fought every day.
The first bottles of Kelsey Gins were produced and placed on her window sill just days before she died.

In her memory, Olympia Distilling established Kelsey’s New Beginnings, a nonprofit dedicated to providing real, tangible help to cancer patients. From each bottle of Kelsey Gins sold, a portion goes directly toward this mission. One of the first initiatives is providing comfortable robes to women undergoing radiation treatments, Radiant Robes.

Footnote: "Old Beer Brands Never Die, They Just Move Away" is a take-off from a famous speech MacArthur delivered at West Point, in which he said, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."