During the past two decades, microbreweries have become a ubiquitous feature of the South Sound scene. With more than 50 small-craft breweries in the region, it takes something special for a microbrewery to rise to the top of the heap and be crowned among the "Best of...."

Fish Brewing Company has what it takes to be named Olympia's Best Microbrewery for 2018.  For almost two decades, the blowing of the steam vent whistle that sits atop Fish Brewing Company -- known as the Fish Whistle -- has notified the neighborhood that it's creating one of it's almost 25 unique beers.

Founded in 1993, when Crane and Mary Horton began brewing small-batch craft beer for their friends and neighbors, Fish Brewing Company distributed its first six-pack of handcrafted brew in 1997. It's now "an award-winning craft brewer with distribution throughout the great Pacific Northwest" (fishbrewing.com). Included among the more than two dozen awards Fish Brewing Company has garnered since 2015 is Western Washington's Best Brew Pub in 2016, and in 2015 one of its signature ales, Fish Tale Beyond the Pale Ale, was named the "World's Best Beer" by the World Beer Awards.  

In addition to its award-winning Fish Tale Ales, Fish Brewing Company also offers craft-brewed hard ciders under the Spire Mt. Cider label, German beers from Leavenworth Biers, and Vitis Spirits from Grape Works Distilling. Its newest offering, Poseidon Imperial Stout, is being re-released this month. This unique stout is aged to perfection in barrels originally used to ferment red wines, creating unusual chocolate and caramel notes. Since 2001, Fish Brewing Company has offered an assortment of certified organic beers as well, using the finest locally sourced organic ingredients, and last year it began making its organic beers available in cans.

Always innovating, Fish Brewing Company is excited to announce that it will soon be distilling its own vodka, whiskey and gin to add to the unique Vitis Spirits from Grape Works Distilling. Grape Works distills its unusual grape spirits from single varietals to get a beverage that is neither a vodka nor a brandy but something wonderful in between.

Fish Brewing Company currently distributes its product through grocery stores in more than 15 states throughout the West. Locally, it can be found wherever fine hand-crafted beers are sold. The award-winning beverages can also be purchased directly from the warehouse during its monthly warehouse sales. Held the third Saturday of every month, Fish Brewing opens its doors to bargain hunters and offers great deals on ales, ciders and distilled beverages.

Along with its award-winning beverages, Fish Brewing Company offers fine food to enjoy at its brewpub. The folks at Fish Brewing are fond of saying, "We believe that hand-crafted beverages, fine food and enduring friendships are what life in the great Pacific Northwest is all about. We've been proud to be a part of that tradition, and thank you for joining us in it."  

And that's why it's Olympia's Best Microbrewery for 2018.

Fish Brewing Company, open daily, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., 515 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia, 360.943.6480, fishbrewing.com

Fish Brewing Pub & Eatery, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5108 Grand Loop, Ruston, 253.507.4970, fishbrewing.com