Blind Pig Spirits opens in downtown Olympia
Downtown Olympia, already awash in pubs, taprooms and craft brewers, now has a new craft beverage maker to consider.
That business is Blind Pig Spirits, a 4-year-old distillery producing vodka and white whiskey, also known as moonshine.
Most of Blind Pig’s history has been spent in Centralia, but two months ago the business came to Olympia after the partners were contacted by Gray and Joy Graham, owners of the Capitol Way building that is home to the Bread Peddler, Peddler Bistro and a soon-to-open deli and creperie.
The Grahams could not be reached for comment.
The business partners had met the Grahams at a tasting for a fundraiser, Ray Watson said.
So the four partners — Watson, Lesa Givens, Fred Moore and Todd Wilson — decided to move and open in about 1,400 square feet of space where they both produce and sell their single-malt vodka, single-malt white whiskey (moonshine) and three flavored ’shines: apple pie, peach pie and tropical. A mango shine is coming soon, said Watson, plus they are considering gin and organic vodka in the future.
They produce on site, using malted barley from Eastern Washington as their base ingredient. Once complete, spent grain is sent to business partner Wilson’s farm in Lewis County where the cattle are known to eagerly await each delivery, Watson said.
The result is a distilled beverage that is sold in pints and fifths at their new location. They also have tastings and it is sold to liquor stores. Rhythm & Rye, also on Capitol Way, is the one local bar that sells their product, he said.
A fifth of the 80-proof beverage — 40 percent alcohol by volume — sells for $34; the pints $22, Watson said.
The four business partners haven’t left their other jobs just yet. They continue to do their own marketing, he said, and put money into their venture, but they expect to be profitable by the end of the year.
“That’s normal,” said Watson about the gradual rise to profitability. “You build the business first.”
Their current slate of beverages are unaged, but they plan to age whiskey in barrels, he said. They also plan to offer “Moonshine 101” classes, teaching others how to mash, cool and ferment, Watson said.
Blind Pig Spirits
Owners: Ray Watson, Lesa Givens, Todd Wilson and Fred Moore.
Type of business: Vodka and white whiskey (moonshine) distillery.
Years in business: Four. The business was born in Centralia, but moved to Olympia two months ago.
Location: 222 Capitol Way N., No. 111, Olympia. The business is in the same building as the Bread Peddler, but it faces Olympia Avenue.
Online: blindpigspirits.com or Facebook.
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Advice to business owners: Keep at it, set your goals and be patient, said Ray Watson and Fred Moore.
Did you know? All four business partners bring a different set of skills to the business. Watson works for Puget Sound Energy and Moore has a background in chemistry. Lesa Givens manages an insurance agency, while Todd Wilson operates a farm in Boistfort, Lewis County, and works for Weyerhaeuser.
This story was originally published September 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "Blind Pig Spirits opens in downtown Olympia."