Olympia has always had this weird, heavy relationship with beer history. You can’t walk two blocks in the Washington state capital without someone mentioning the old Olympia Brewery—the "It’s the Water" legacy that basically defined the town for a century. But when Three Magnets Brewing Co. opened its doors in 2014, it wasn't trying to be a museum. It felt different. It felt local in a way that wasn't just about a zip code. It was about a family, the Vogts, wanting to build a community hub that didn't just serve "ale" but served a specific kind of PNW culture.
Honestly, most people think they know what to expect from a brewery in the Pacific Northwest. Flannel, IPAs that taste like pine needles, maybe some pretzels. Three Magnets does that, sure, but they’ve also become this strange, beautiful vanguard for things the industry usually ignores.
Have you heard of Self Care? Not the "take a bubble bath" kind. I’m talking about their non-alcoholic line. It’s arguably one of the most important things to happen to Three Magnets Brewing Co. in the last decade. While other craft breweries were doubling down on 10% ABV Triple IPAs, Nathan and Sara Vogt saw the writing on the wall. People wanted the ritual of beer without the hangover. They didn't just make a "near-beer." They made something that actually tastes like a brewery.
The Olympia Connection: More Than Just a Location
Three Magnets Brewing Co. isn't tucked away in some industrial park. It’s right there in the heart of downtown. It sits in a building with massive windows and a vibe that shifts from "laptop-friendly workspace" in the afternoon to "rowdy community dinner" by 7:00 PM.
They started as a passion project. Nathan and Sara Vogt weren't just business owners; they were community builders who had already cut their teeth with Darby's Cafe, a local staple. When they transitioned into the brewery space, they brought that "neighborhood-first" mentality with them. It’s why the food menu often feels more like a chef-driven kitchen than a standard pub. They aren't just frying frozen wings. You'll see local ingredients, thoughtful pairings, and a rotating seasonal selection that keeps the locals coming back even when the rain is pouring sideways for three weeks straight.
Beer is the draw. The atmosphere is the glue.
You’ve got to appreciate the risk they took. Downtown Olympia has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Opening a massive, multi-use space wasn't a guaranteed win. But by focusing on a "Three Magnets" philosophy—essentially the pull between the community, the environment, and the individual—they created a gravity that worked.
The Self Care Revolution
Let's get real about non-alcoholic (NA) beer for a second. For years, it was a joke. It was the dusty bottle of O'Doul's in the back of your uncle's fridge. Three Magnets Brewing Co. basically looked at that and said, "We can do better."
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Their Self Care line is a game changer.
Most NA beers are made by large-scale producers who use vacuum distillation to strip the alcohol out. The problem? That process usually strips the soul out of the beer, too. Three Magnets approached it like a craft project. They use specific yeast strains and brewing techniques that never allow the alcohol to develop in the first place, or they keep it under the legal 0.5% limit without boiling away the aromatics.
It’s about inclusivity. If you’re the designated driver, or you’re on a fitness kick, or you’re just done with booze for the month, you still get to hold a can that looks cool and tastes like a complex, West Coast IPA. They were one of the first small-batch craft breweries in the region to take NA beer seriously enough to ship it nationwide. That’s huge. It turned a local Olympia brewery into a national name in the "sober curious" movement.
Navigating the Haze and the Hops
Despite the success of their NA line, don't think for a second they've forgotten how to brew the heavy hitters. Three Magnets Brewing Co. built its reputation on variety.
They don't just stick to one lane.
- The Garden Series: These are often farmhouse-style ales that lean into the funkier, more experimental side of brewing.
- IPA dominance: From the hazy New England styles to the crisp, bitter West Coast classics, they handle hops with a specific kind of restraint. It's not just about "how much IBUs can we cram in here?" It's about "how does this Citra hop play with the malt bill?"
- Collaborations: These guys are the kings of the "collab." They’ve worked with everyone from neighboring breweries to local non-profits.
The brewing team, which has seen some talented hands over the years including names like Jeff Carpenter and others who have moved through the PNW scene, always seems to prioritize drinkability. You can have a beer that’s technically "challenging" but still goes down easy on a Tuesday night. That’s a hard balance to strike.
The Reality of the Business
It hasn't all been easy. The craft beer industry is currently in a "correction" phase. Growth has slowed. Costs have skyrocketed. Three Magnets Brewing Co. has had to be incredibly nimble to stay relevant.
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They’ve shifted their model several times. They’ve experimented with different food concepts within their space. They’ve leaned heavily into the "Beer Club" subscription model, which was a lifeline during the pandemic lockdowns. Honestly, their ability to pivot is probably their greatest strength. When the world shut down, they didn't just wait; they figured out how to get their beer into your fridge through direct shipping and local delivery.
They’ve also had to navigate the complexities of being a small business in a town that is fiercely protective of its identity. Olympia doesn't like "corporate." Three Magnets has managed to stay "Oly" by remaining transparent and active in local issues.
Why the "Three Magnets" Name Actually Matters
The name isn't just a random choice. It’s a nod to Ebenezer Howard’s "Garden Cities of To-Morrow." The concept involves three magnets: the Town, the Country, and the Town-Country. Each has its pros and cons. The "Town-Country" magnet represents the best of both worlds—the opportunities of the city with the beauty and health of the nature.
This philosophy is baked into how they source their ingredients.
Washington is the hop capital of the world (looking at you, Yakima Valley). Three Magnets is uniquely positioned to get the freshest stuff. They use salmon-safe hops. They care about the watershed. They understand that if the "Country" part of the magnet fails, the "Town" part doesn't have anything good to drink.
It’s a holistic view of brewing.
What to Expect When You Visit
If you’re planning a trip to Olympia, or you’re just passing through on I-5, stopping here is basically mandatory. But go in with the right expectations.
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It’s a big space. It can get loud. It’s kid-friendly, which some people love and some people... well, you know. But that’s the point of a community hub. You’ll see a table of state workers in suits sitting next to a group of crusty punks, and both are enjoying the same pilsner.
- Check the Taplist Online First: It changes fast. They move through kegs quickly, and since they do so many small batches, your favorite might be gone by next week.
- Try the NA Stuff: Even if you’re a die-hard hophead, the Self Care line is worth a taste just to see what’s possible with modern brewing technology.
- Look for the Cans: Their label art is consistently some of the best in the business. It’s distinct, colorful, and often features local themes.
- The Food: Don't sleep on the kitchen. It’s not an afterthought. Whether it's the "3Mag Burger" or their seasonal salads, the quality is higher than your average "beer food."
The Future of Three Magnets Brewing Co.
Where do they go from here? The focus seems to be on expanding the reach of their non-alcoholic brand while maintaining the "soul" of the physical taproom in Olympia. It’s a delicate dance. You don't want to become a factory, but you want to grow.
They are currently one of the leaders in the Pacific Northwest for direct-to-consumer shipping. This is a massive shift in the beer world. Traditionally, you had to deal with distributors who took a huge cut and let your beer sit on a warm shelf for months. By shipping directly, Three Magnets ensures you get the beer fresh, and they get to keep a bigger piece of the pie.
It’s a blueprint for how small breweries might survive the next decade.
Actionable Steps for the Craft Beer Fan
If you want to support Three Magnets Brewing Co. or just get the best experience, here is what you actually do:
- Join the Mailing List: I know, everyone says this. But for 3Mag, it’s how they announce their limited-run Self Care drops and "Secret Stash" releases.
- Visit on a Weekday: If you want to actually talk to the staff about the brew process or the history of the building, Saturday at 6:00 PM is not the time. Go on a Tuesday afternoon. It’s chill.
- Request Them at Your Local Bottle Shop: If you’re outside of Washington, ask your local shop if they can get Three Magnets. They do distribution in several states, but "customer pulls" are what really move the needle for small breweries.
- Follow the "Self Care" Brand Separately: They have dedicated socials for their NA line because the community is so specific. It’s a great place to find recipes for "hop water" mocktails and other low-ABV ideas.
The story of Three Magnets is really the story of modern American craft beer: it’s about adaptation, community, and the courage to make a "beer" that doesn't actually have alcohol in it. They’ve proven that you can honor the history of a town like Olympia while looking straight into the future.