“If you have visited the taproom recently, have you noticed some subtle changes?” asked Skookum Brewery on Facebook. “New lights, decor, maybe the TVs?”
The query was a way to announce that Skookum Brewery will undergo an ownership change in the coming year. This will allow Ron Walcher, the brewery’s owner and founder, a well-deserved retirement. This weekend, on December 29th and 21st, Skookum Brewery invites you to an open-house-style event in Arlington to thank Ron for creating such a valuable community hub.
Ron and his wife Jackie started Skookum Brewing in 2007. Initially, it was out of town on the farm. Eventually, the brewery and taproom moved to a location near the Arlington Airport, which could better accommodate a larger brewery and more taproom traffic. In 2010, I visited the original Skookum Brewery for the first time. The story lives on in our archives.
The rural location posed challenges. Short version: It was hard to operate a taproom and not bother the neighbors, who understandably appreciated their quiet, traffic-free, pastoral lifestyle. After moving into town in 2013, the brewery really started to gain momentum. The crowds at the taproom grew, as did the brewery’s reputation away from the taproom.
If you happen to have photos of the old brewery and taproom on the farm, they’d love to see and share them. Go to Skookum Brewery’s Facebook page for info about that.
Cheers to Ron! Have a great retirement!
