Monday, January 18th, 2016

South Sound Craft Beer Index January 11-17 2016

Share
Positive week for the South Sound craft beer scene.
Positive week for the South Sound craft beer scene.

Specific South Sound Gravity: New Breweries Edition

The South Sound Craft Beer Scene Index measures the state of the greater Tacoma and Olympia area craft beer scene.

[+3] Four-alarm smiles were seen at Top Rung Brewing Co. in Lacey when its new, 1,500 lbs., 11-feet tall 20 barrel fermenter arrived from Portland.

[+2] Peaks and Pints reported five South Sound breweries — Fish Brewing Co., Three Magnets Brewing Co., Top Rung Brewing Co., Harmon Brewing Co. and Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. would collaborate on an India Red Lager. South Sound breweries collaboration details

[+2] Sue Kidd, the newshound and lifestyle maven who directs all dining, food and home content at The News Tribune, announced five breweries are expected to open in 2016 — Half Lion Brewing Co., Dystopian State Brewing Co., Janky Ox Brewing Project, Farm Shed Brew and Rhein Haus lager brewery — as well as meads from Outlanders Keep and Dwarven Honey Meadery. Read all about it: http://bit.ly/1Ow0eWt

[+3] A Meheen fully-automated, pneumatic powered bottle filler arrived in the South Sound, which will spend equal time at Wingman Brewers in Tacoma and Top Rung Brewing in Lacey. What beer did Top Rung bottle first on the new Meheen? The Three Sixty Red that Peaks and Pints helped brew thank you very much.

[+2] South Sound breweries released several beers this week. Odd Otter Brewing Company unleashed its Red Headed Sea Otter Imperial Red and Moo Kid On The Block (MKOTB) Milk Stout, while Narrows Brewing Co. introduced its Ring of Fire IPA incorporating ingredients from countries along the scary Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. Oh, and Pacific Brewing & Malting Co. is brewing a pilot batch of smoked blonde ale with mesquite-smoked malts as you read this.

[+1] Engine House No. 9 scored a spot on The Beer Junction’s fourth annual celebration of barrel-aged beers Jan. 16-24. The West Seattle beer store and taproom will pour the Tacoma brewery’s Dark Passenger Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (2013). Bremerton’s Silver City Brewery & Taproom also scored a slot with its Fat Woody Barrel Aged Scotch Ale. Roll out the barrels: http://bit.ly/1Q3HGzx

[EVEN] The News Tribune studied the McMenamins’ proposal to convert Old City Hall into a hotel with public access to basement soaking pools, free music events, community room access and “history pub” presentations showcasing local history. McMenamins proposes a 20-year initial lease, with three options to renew for three, 10-year extensions for a total of 50 years. The Trib says the city isn’t likely to immediately recoup the $4 million it spent for the building. Another proposal to covert the landmark building into a Ralph Lauren Polo Bar was rejected. The good and bad: http://bit.ly/1P50SzB

Total Pluses: 13

Total Minuses: 0

This Week’s Total: PLUS 13