The history goes way back with Barry Watson, owner of Rosewood Café in Tacoma’s North End. He’s been in cahoots with Chris Trashcan from The Red Hot and some yahoos from the Parkway (and by “yahoos” I mean “kick ass beer peddlers’) for many years. I’d love to name these guys as Tacoma’s very own Beer Brigade.

As I attempt to enjoy some leisurely lunch at Rosewood Café, I somehow get conned into having not just one, but two or three glasses of wine. I’ll admit the conning comes mostly from my own temptress soul, but Barry really does nothing to deter my wine or beer intake. So as I sit here writing this week’s Trouble with DeRosa recap, I’m slightly buzzed still from my weekday lunch and time spent with one of my favorite Beer Brigade members: Barry Watson.

STEPH DEROSA: Hey Barry, we’ve been friends for a while now. I think it’s about time for you to be my Trouble with DeRosa. Whadda ya say?

BARRY WATSON: What’s a Trouble with DeRosa?

DEROSA: Meh.

WATSON: Oh, yeah, right. The Volcano.

DEROSA: Calm down there, Barry.

WATSON: I’ll do it but only if you make me sound really smart and good looking.

DEROSA: Barry, I hate to shock you with this breaking news, but you are smart and good looking.

WATSON: Aw, shucks. Nah, I’m OK I guess.

DEROSA: Do I have to convince you that you are in order to get my Trouble with DeRosa interview?

WATSON: It wouldn’t hurt.

DEROSA: What if I bought some wine?

WATSON: You do that on a regular basis anyway, Steph. As a matter of fact, I’ve had to increase my Surgeon General warning stickers due solely to the amount of your individual alcohol purchases.

DEROSA: Really? But what about the rest of the Beer Brigade?

WATSON: I think The Red Hot has established a Steph DeRosa drunk driving class and The Parkway has installed a Steph DeRosa breathalyzer. Bets are being raised as to how much longer your liver has until complete depletion.

DEROSA: Well shit. Do you think it’s time for me to stop drinking so much?

WATSON: Either that or just move to another city.

[Rosewood Cafe, 3323 N. 26th St., Tacoma, 253.752.7999]