In the orchestra of craft beers, the Odd Otter Brewing Company sits first chair. And those chairs happen to sit in an historic building in downtown Tacoma. Wedged in at 716 Pacific Ave., the building's history and the beers served therein create a sense of connectivity to the community.

"Tacoma is just a great place to be in," says John Hotchkiss, one of the Otter's five founders. "We believe in the unifying power of beer; it brings people together and builds a sense of community as this building has over the years."

Owen McGrane, Pablo Monroy, Derrick Monroy and Teresa Smith are the other founders.

Built in the late 1880s, the building has been home to a number of enterprises, to include a Sailors and Soldiers Club during the Great War and a USO Center that admitted African-American soldiers during the Second World War.

Talk about an historical antecedent to building community, T-town's community.

What's more, the building's hosting of organizations supportive of the military is stunning, simply, stupendously serendipitous.

Three of the company's founders - Hotchkiss, McGrane and Pablo Monroy - possess military backgrounds.

And then there's the symphony of beers that wait to play upon the palate.

McGrane is an award-winning home brewer with a decade of experience. According to Hotchkiss, McGrane's skills are evident in every sip of the 15 varieties of beer the company offers.

"The beer we brew is created to capture an experience," Hotchkiss explains.

Much like music captures your mind and soul, Odd Otter's beer captures your palate and heart.

In offering their patrons something unique in the enjoyment of beer, the company offers a tasting room and five-ounce classes with which to sample the various brews.

What's more, if so inclined - bring food. Odd Otter doesn't house a kitchen, but allows outside food.

Like the otter, the gestures of sampling a brew with a bit of pizza are refreshingly playful and fun and nice.

"As to the ‘Odd' in our name, it captures the different approach it take to experience we offer in beer," says Hotchkiss.

Again, talk - and drink - about community. The harmony is overwhelming - much like an orchestra seated and performing in the middle of Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma.

To learn more about this orchestra of craft beers in a building cloaked in history, visit www.oddotterbrewing.com.

ODD OTTER BREWING COMPANY, 11-2 a.m. Thursday-Sunday, 716 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.209.7064