Thursday 7th of March 2013 11:18:52 PM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

This brewery has moved to

17925A 59th Ave NE
Arlington, WA 98223

That being said there new location is quite nice, its accross from the Arlington airport in an old warehouse building. There is alot of seating and it is a great place to go get one of there many delicious beers. There are usualy around 8 beers on tap and they do offer a sampeler. They do rotate there selection through out the seasons so there is usualy something different to try.

The times I have visited the brewery its been pretty relaxed, the peope working there have always been nice and are quick to check up on you when your glass is getting low. Although I miss the back woods / barn setting, the new place is a great improvement and having a warm dry place to hang out in the winter is great.

So far there is no food served but I hear they would like to start with snack foods eventualy, but right now its bring your own best beer snack. Nicely behaved dogs are allowed and there is usualy a bin of milk bones at the counter. Besides that when the Seahawks are playing they usualy pull down the big screen so you can enjoy there beer and watch the game.

Monday 20th of September 2010 12:04:24 PM

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Skookum is a gem of a brewery, albeit a well-hidden one. Because it's a home-based operation, the owners don't advertise or even have signs. You have to know right where you're going to find the place. My wife and I searched the area for 20 minutes before we found it (I had gotten second-hand directions...bad idea!), but the first taste of the sampler made it all worthwhile.
I believe there were 9-10 taps running, with the sampler containing 7. The beer ranges among all different ale types from Pale, Scotch, IPA, stout, etc. Each was a sterling example of it's style while still retaining enough individuality to make it compelling. I can't say that I have a favorite for just that reason. The nose and flavor of their oaked pale put me off a bit, but it was a bold experiment which I give them credit for.
The seating is patio furniture in the yard and on the concrete slab with brewing setup and taps inside a side barn.
The owner and staff were all very helpful, patient and friendly, as were the patrons. We had a great conversations with a couple from Marysville who homebrewed in the club headquartered at Skookum. They chatted us up because the didn't recognize us, asking us if it was our first time to the brewery. (It's like an extended family reunion at this place with all the regulars knowing each other, still they are very approachable...)
While the time is short at Skookum (only open a couple hours per day on weekends), it's worth a try to visit or to find their beer on tap someplace. You won't be disappointed. I made a point to purchase a growler for home, something I only do when I really enjoy a brewpub's beer. (I homebrew, making me pickier about the beer I buy now...)
If you do visit Skookum, be courteous and respectful as it's a private residence, but expect to be impressed by some top-quality beer.

Friday 20th of August 2010 08:26:06 PM

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10 brews on tap when I visited. Tried the Olde Tom IPA and Jackass IPA. Both were excellent. The Jackass was quite hop heavy but I loved it. The Old Tom IPA was also very good and would serve as a great introduction for those wanting an intro to the IPA realm.
Ron, the owner/brewer is eager to show off his place and talk to patrons about his brews. Service is very cordial with a good awareness of the brews on tap. There is no food save for the pretzels on the outdoor tables. Dogs and children are welcome.
Skookum is a bit of a test to find and has limited hours of operation. That is good and bad. Bad because it would be great to go there whenever the thirst needed quenching; good because there seems to be a steady parade of patrons visiting the brewery so you can just follow the other patrons and you will find it.
Beer Mapping map is right on target, just don't get worried that you are on the wrong route.

Sunday 8th of August 2010 04:24:01 PM

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On a good sized piece of land at the end of a gravel road, Skookum serves up good beer as well as growlers to go in a comfortable outdoor setting. There were nine beers on tap during our visit, representing a large range of ales from pale ale to imperial stout, including two IPA’s and a wood-aged beer. The Jackass IPA is quite good. The atmosphere is very friendly and local. There is no food served except for a generous supply of pretzels.

The brewery and tasting room are in a large barn-like stained wooden building. A large roll-up garage door provides a great view into the brewery, which has a wood-clad mash tun and kettle and several stainless steel fermenters. A large rusted round saw blade with the brewery’s name hangs on the outside of the building and adds to the overall impression of an old fashioned sawmill.

A good number of black metal open mesh tables and chairs (a couple with umbrellas) are distributed on the patio around the brewery and taproom. At one end a heavy wooden picnic table and some benches surround a metal outdoor fire pit. On the other side of the building a beautiful wooden structure supports a clear corrugated plastic roof. This area is decorated with strings of lights and has several propane heaters. Several more picnic tables are available out back in the woods.

Parking is plentiful, if somewhat ad-hoc, on the side of the drive or in the back.

Wednesday 28th of October 2009 01:25:23 AM

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These folks have used the winery model in laying out the brewery grounds. A beautiful barn located in a rural area with a fair amount of outdoor seating and lots of room to move around outside while enjoying one of their several beers. As much as I love to hunker down in a taproom, their outdoor setting is a fun twist and on a Saturday you are likely to find quite a few others hanging out.

In each of my visits I have only tried the Jackass IPA because it is so good - it's hard for me to sample the rest of their selection. The staff is friendly and fast and if you bring your own glass you get a discount on your beer.

Monday 19th of May 2008 03:00:42 PM

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What is it you want in a brewery/brewpub?

Seriously. Don't give me the pat answer, "the beer has to be good." We know that.

What else? Have you really thought about it?

For wife Persimmon & I, we want friendly service; to feel welcomed the moment we walk in; and we want a pleasant environment, something other than cars and streets to look at while we sip.

Methow Valley Brewery in Twisp arguably has the best view around - the beer garden sits right bside the Twisp River. It is WONderful! Unfortunately, the beer is only average.

Skookum Brewery in Arlington however, is an almost perfect fit. I'll explain the "almost" in a moment.

Ron & Jackie Wachter own the farm on which the brewery sits. You can see the stainless & copper tanks in the barn but this is more a tasting room with 6 beers on tap and just as many tables. Consequently, the people who come here, live close by and come because they know the Wachter's, their neighbors, the beer and the "feel" of the place.

Trees surround you and, on the day we visited, the breeze blew through with a soft whisper of welcome.
The 80 degree clear, blue sky fought for our attention.
And the "neighbors" all had a "glad you're here" attitude. Couple that with the beer itself and, this is a winner.

I'm almost reluntant to go on - Ron doesn't advertise and he likes it that way...but, sorry Ron -- gotta let 'em all know.

Skookum, as well as all the wineries in Snohomish County, were shut down late last year due to bureaucratic bull...uh, technocalities but now, he's back up and brewing:

Pale Ale; Olde Tom & Jackass IPA (one a bit less bitter than the other but neither is an overly-hopped "NW style" lip puckerer); a strong ale called the Mule with a kick; Amber's Hot Friend (don't know who Amber was but her hot friend is a tasty thing); a porter they call Brown & Hairy; my favorite, Hooscal Stout with big, strong coffee tastes combined with chocolate makes this a rich, robust brew bursting with flavor & the color of crankcase oil gives it a perfect score in my book; and then, as a surprise, a taste of Ron's un-named Spruce tip made from trees on his property. He was not happy with this batch but the dozen of us who sipped told him, he was nuts! Ed Smith at Peak's Pub in Port Angeles won an award for his Spruce Tip & it was delicious. Ron's is much more subtle in taste and darker in color and aroma. With the price of hops in the strastophere, I can only assume that enterprising brewers are going to have to find another method to bitter & flavor beer. These guys could just be on the cutting edge of something new and outstanding.

Skookum, in case you're wondering, means "big, strong" and "big monster in the woods" in Indian. It has another meaning for Ron & Julie. (Check the pix page!)

So all the elements come together here save one...the "almost" moniker.

There is no water anywhere (I know, I know - except the beer but you know what I mean!)

I made my position known several times. Perhaps Ron can diver the river...or build a pond (w/waterfall?) by the time we return...next week.

Perhaps he might spray me with a hose?

I'm OK with that - just keep Hooscal coming, Ron.

Wednesday 21st of November 2007 12:35:48 PM

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We visited Skookum last summer and had a really great time. The brewery is in a refurbished barn on their property at the end of a local dirt road. Finding the place is half the battle but once you do it was worth the trip. The brewery itself is gorgeous and the brewer is doing a fine job producing tasty ales with it. We particularly enjoyed his IPA. Most of the seating seems to be outside so I'm not sure how it's going to work in the rainier times. Unfortunately it looks like they are having some sort of disagreement with the state about operating the tasting room so you'll have to look for his beer in local watering holes instead. Hopefully this is a temporary situation and by the time you're reading this it has been resolved.

Saturday 15th of September 2007 10:08:37 AM

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This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

Nice little brewery. When I mean little, I mean 6 tables outside with no indoor seating. I mean the owners serve you and a few nighbors walk down the dirt road to join you and shoot the breeze. YOu feel like one of the family - or as if you've lived in town for a while - which is nice if you prefer that setting to a large/commercial brew pub (e.g., Pyramid Brewery). They are just getting started so they have a limited beer selection - but it is a good variety that they offer.

The upside: Really friendly/neighbor like feel. All new tables and beer news as you sit outside and enjoy a cold one. IPA is sharp and tasty. Free pretzels to make you want to drink more.

Downside: Because of their license, you have to either drink out of a plastic cup (I don't need to tell you how bad that experience is) or pay $9 for a glass (which does include beer - but $9 seemed a bit steep). No food (besides pretzels) - but are you really thinking of visiting this place for the food?