Grub Gossip

Bite-sized foodie news for your consumption

By Jackie Fender on May 9, 2019

Tacoma's roots are deeply steeped in all things hops. As a city bestowed with the moniker "Grit City" and a self-professed blue-collar vibe, a history of breweries comes naturally. There's no shortage of locally crafted brews and Tacoma is nowhere near peak saturation of suds with a plethora of well-established breweries, new faces in the game each year and a few excellent bottle rooms we can rely on for good measure -- the brew game shows no signs of slowing down. E9 Brewing opened a new taproom in Tacoma's awakening brewery district with the E9 Brewing Company and Taproom on Fawcett, which opened its doors earlier this month.

Brewer Donovan Stewart says of the expansion, "We are beyond excited to get the doors open to the public. Capacity is around 49 people in the taproom proper with open space within the brewery-barrel area and outside courtyard on nice days." The space is slick with a glass wall separating the main room from the brewery which gives spectators an excellent view of the magic happening within.

What's a beer without the accompaniment of grub?! Dining options will include small snacks like cheese and charcuterie items, pre-made sandwiches and guest food vendors on the weekends including pizza pies crafted by Sirius Wood Fired Pizza and Europa Wood Fire Pizza. If supplies are still around, you might also be able to score the 5 of Swords IPA which is an annual collaborative brew crafted with Holy Mountain. 3-10 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday; 3 -11 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday; closed Monday-Tuesday, 2506 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma

Speaking of beer, social media has informed me of a super rad brew-themed fest South Sound by Southwest Double IPA Release Parties. By the looks of it, Puyallup-based Rainier Growlers and Tacoma brew lovvas Peaks and Pints and Parkway Tavern schemed a bit and brewed a double IPA at Brothers Cascadia Brewing with Grains of Wrath Brewing and Trap Door Brewing April 3. As the event page states, "Brewer Matt Fields of Brothers Cascadia grabbed the lead during the brewing day with Grains of Wrath Head Brewer Mike Hunsaker, Trap Door Head Brewer Zane Singleton and Brothers Cascadia Head Brewer Jason Bos singing backup while making sure the Pierce County craft beer bar folks kept full glasses of their cellared craft beer. As metal filled the Vancouver brewery, the group realized music was a common bond, therefore South Sound by Southwest Double IPA, a play off the famous Austin, Texas, music festival, seemed logical. The after-party was ridiculous."

Beginning at 5 p.m., Friday, May 10, Rainier Growlers, Parkway Tavern and Peaks and Pints will tap South Sound by Southwest IPA, as well as different beers from the three collaborating breweries. A van will circulate between the three craft beer bars from 6-10 p.m. Uber is also encouraged as a way to taste all the beers. Because let's face it, you have every intention of donning the beer goggles for this hop-fueled adventure.

It has also been noted that the South Sound by Southwest folks suggest beginning at 5 p.m. inside Rainier Growlers, but you may go your own way. 5-10 p.m., Friday, May 10, Rainier Growlers (13105 Meridian E., Puyallup), Parkway Tavern (313 N. I St., Tacoma), Peaks and Pints (3816 N. 26th St., Tacoma), no cover charge