Local Instagram sensation @tacoma_wa and local coffee wizards Anthem Coffee have teamed up to help local business during these tough times with an Instagram campaign called #lovelocal. “We felt it was our civic duty to do something to help,” says Ejay O’Donnell of @tacoma_wa. “It’s during times like these when supporting our friends and neighbors is more important than ever,” adds Bryan Reynolds of Anthem. “The ripple effects we feel as a collective are bound to make an impact for all of us, but especially so for small business owners and families.” Listen to these two community advocates talk #lovelocal here. Peaks & Pints, owned by three gents who were toddlers in Tacoma, is a huge proponent of community and supporting fellow local business. In addition, we present another local to-go beer flight that we call Peaks and Pints Pilot Program: #locallove On The Fly. Yes, we’re opening for another day on to-go beer/wine/cider, growler fills and take-out food, closing at 8 p.m. for the day. We join O’Donnell and Reynolds when they say, “Be well friends and neighbors.” Cheers!
Peaks and Pints Pilot Program: #locallove On The Fly
E9 Adventures of Zelda
5.7% ABV, growler fill
E9 Brewing’s latest barrel-aged sasion, brewed and named after head brewer Shane’s second daughter, Zelda. Originally brewed with fresh hops grown around the city of Tacoma back in September of 2018, it went into barrel after stainless primary fermentation where it sat for 14 months. Expect lots of body, a low ABV, and tons of cool peach and lemon aromatics, blended with a slight tartness as it rolls back over the tongue.
7 Seas Flanders Red 2020
7% ABV, growler fill
Chris Clarke runs 7 Seas Brewing’s program, among many other key rolls he plays at the Tacoma and Gig Harbor brewery. He’s also a hugger, which means he’s out of his mind these days. Anyway, Clarke, Head Brewer Travis Guterson and crew have done it again — their Flanders Red 2020 is freakin’ delicious. A blend of 4-year-old, 2-year-old, and 4-month-old mixed cultured sour Flanders-style red ales is aged in French oak Bordeaux barrels for a fruity and sour aroma, followed by flavors of tart red currants, fruit leather and mild oak tannins.
Wet Coast Piper Pale Ale
5.5% ABV, 39 IBU, growler fill
When the Irish and Scottish immigrated to this country, they brought many of their traditions with them, including the Great Highland bagpipe, which was played at Celtic weddings, funerals and ceilis (dances). One hundred and 50 years ago, United States fire and police departments adopted the funeral bagpipe. West Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters Bryan Copeland and Aaron Johnson opened Wet Coast Brewing in 2015. Their Piper Pale Ale is a Northwest inspired pale ale brewed in support of the Puget Sound Firefighters Pipes & Drums crew. Munich malts and 2-row balance Centennial and Chinook dry-hop, giving this beer pine notes with a long, bitter finish.
Tacoma Broken Window IPA
6% ABV, 50 IBU, growler fill
Morgan Alexander brewed beer in high school. He used Baker’s yeast and apple juice, which Alexander says was horrible. He kept the lab coat on, home brewing with unusual ingredients for years before converting his beloved Tacoma Triangle District Amocat Cafe into Tacoma Brewing Company, a tiny taproom that he eventually abandoned for a ginormous space up the street. He kissed his front window on the way out. The window slot cost him a fortune, but he definitely made it back 10 fold. He renamed his Citra IPA “Broken Window IPA” after roughians shattered the glass enough times that Alexander started hosting fundraisers. Broken Window IPA went on to win award after award; it was worth the pane.
Wingman Ace IPA
7.1% ABV, 83 IBU, can to-go
Wingman Brewers‘ flagship craft beer Ace IPA began as a Belgian meets American-style IPA with Belgian malts that complement a healthy portioning of Citra, Centennial and Cascade hops. Today, the IPA still carries a Belgian malt flavor but Wingman drops a hop bomb of grapefruit and herb flavor — thanks to the Simcoe, Citra, Centennial, Cascade and Bravo hops — for a well-balanced IPA.
