Tacoma's first annual Tacoma Beer Week is mere moments away. Earlier this year, some of Tacoma's finest brewmasters joined forces to create a collaborative brew, which, at the time, was simply reported as a black IPA. We now know that this brewski has been given the moniker Tacoma's Neo Noir Black IPA and comes in as a "bit of a beast," noted Narrows Brewing brewmaster Joe Walts, with an 8.4 alcohol by volume highlighting, "lots of fruity and spicy flavors from the hops and yeast."
To kick off the weeklong Tacoma Beer Week (TBW), which begins March 3, Narrows Brewing Company will pay homage to Tacoma beers with a locally concocted dark beer tap take over (final tap list to be announced).
The super exciting news is that TBW means new brews for the occasion. This means big flavor and hops-fueled journeys for your taste buds on top of the TBW collaboration piece. Adventurous folks can chug, sip and guzzle new brews from each of the following during the week's shenanigans: Tacoma Brewing Co. is whipping up a complex coffee-maple and orange-creamsicle Aristotle's Golden Mean Infused IPA; The Ram in South Hill will introduce its Cask Belgian Blonde with Peaches; Narrows Brewing goes dark with XLVIII Oatmeal Stout; Harmon Brewing gets playful with its CrossPollination, a Coconut Honey Porter; Engine House No. 9 has yet to divulge its new brew; and Puyallup River Brewing celebrates the big Hawks win with We Are The Champions IPA.
Lovers of the hops can continue their brew guzzling and suds-sipping celebrations throughout the week at each of the listed establishments below. ...
March 3
Narrows Brewing gets things started with the Tacoma Beer Week kickoff party and a "Tap Takeover" featuring Tacoma's best dark brews at 2 p.m. Tacoma tap takeover at The Red Hot.
March 5
The Harmon Tap Room's taps will be consumed with a Tacoma IPA and pale ale, accompanied by its "Randall Wednesday." Puyallup River Brewing's Alehouse serves up a TBW tap takeover.
March 6
Engine House No. 9 sees a Tacoma beer tap takeover. Wingman Brewers welcomes a tap takeover featuring Tacoma's best cask ales.
March 7
Tacoma Brewing Co. taps the Neo Noir among festivities.
March 8
The ParkWay Tavern honors a TBW tap takeover.
A portion of all keg sales of Tacoma Beer Week's collaboration brew, Tacoma Neo Noir, will benefit the Emergency Food Network, a nonprofit that supplies 15 million pounds of food to Pierce County families in need. Folks can support the cause by sipping at the following locations: The Park Way Tavern; Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge; Puget Sound Pizza; The Red Hot; Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery; Pacific Grill; The Swiss; Doyle's Public House; Tacoma Brewing Co.; Wingman Brewers; Narrows Brewing; The Harmon Brewery and Eatery; and Engine House No. 9.
It has been rumored that Pacific Brewing and Malting will receive some of this limited edition brew, though sources are uncertain if the beer will be poured during Tacoma Beer Week or stashed away until its much anticipated grand opening.
This is sure to be a delicious, if not a bit tipsy turvy, designate-a-friend-to-chauffer week that truly celebrates not only the hops, but also community, with a spotlight on the collaborative spirit.
I say, cheers to that!