E9 Brewing Co. and Taproom

Not just tasty brews

By Dutch Randall, Jackie Fender on December 26, 2019

ANNOUNCER: Dutch and Jackie needed to take a little field trip to Tacoma's Brewery District to check out the E9 Brewing Co. taproom that opened its doors this last spring.

DUTCH: As a long-time fan of the original E9, I really like the downtown, industrial feel of the Taproom. The dining area is wrapped on two sides by 15 huge barrels where E9's entire brewing operation is now located. Large glass walls ensure that diners will feel as if they are eating in the brewery. There are no TVs to distract you, just tables and wide-open space for socializing and drinking beer in peace.

JACKIE: My current faves swap between The Radiator and The Heidelberg pizzas. The first resembled a classic pizza pie with pepperoni cups and mozzerella and Parmesan cheeses, then adds chili flakes and a Calabrian chili honey-evoo lavender drizzle that elevates it to next-level good. The latter's foundation is a white sauce with mixed shrooms, chicken sausage crumbles, walnut basil pesto and crushed candied walnuts. That basil pesto is everything it needs to be.

DUTCH: Check the website for the hours of operation as food is limited here. During pizza hours, there are a handful of options; I grabbed hold of the Upper White Trash which combines mozzarella cheese with the house white sauce, and then topped with E9 Rowdy Dick Amber Ale sweet onions, bacon, and crushed corn nuts; yes, I said corn nuts, but don't knock it till you crunch it yourself. You get creamy, smokey and salty in each bite. And just to top it off, a side of ranch for dipping. I suggest either the O'Leary's Milk Stout with strong cream and coffee flavors or the Station's Wit if you want something a little lighter.

JACKIE: The O'Leary's is dreamy and worth the trip alone. But whatever type of beer you like, the E9 brewers have crafted an excellent supper for you. All of the pizzas are tempting as well, but that very well could be because I might have a problem with pizza. Like, I like it a lot. The Morty's Truffle Hustle is a fun, untraditional pie with roasted garlic oil, light grande mozz, truffle cheese, mixed roasted shrooms, finished with thinly sliced cold mortadella slices. It's ridiculous. The real star of all of these is that dough, though. It boasts a nice chew and whisper of wood smoke that equates to a compelling pie that'll stand apart from the rest.

DUTCH: There is also a collection of sweet, salty and tart snacks that will pair with any of the E9 craft brews. Simple pleasures such as chocolate covered almonds from Emily's Chocolates, raspberry crumble cashews from Sahale Snacks, and even a red pepper jelly served with meats and cheeses. Whatever your craving, it is sure to hit the spot while chatting with your friends.

JACKIE: I'm excited for when their patio reopens for the season.

E9 BREWING CO. AND TAPROOM, 3-9 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday; 3-10 p.m., Friday; noon to 10 p.m., Saturday; noon to 9 p.m., Sunday, 2506 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.7707, e9brewingco.com