Expect the Best Local Beer at a Tacoma Market

When it comes to the world of beer, there will always be a battle between local beer and major beer. While the major beer brands have taken over the market, craft beers are making themselves known locally and nationally by bringing something unique to the table.

Local beer lovers are quick to represent their hometown or culture by choosing craft beers that best represent them. Read on to learn why Tacoma has a unique position in the world of craft beer, and why Tacoma’s local beer is among the best in the world.

Tacoma Is at the Heart of Craft Beer

Tacoma is a major port city, connecting the region to international trade. Historically port cities are known for rowdy sailors drinking their paycheck away on shore leave, however Tacoma has another reason for their amazing selection of craft beer.

Stretching east of Tacoma into Eastern Washington, are some of the best Hops growers in the world. In fact, Washington, Idaho and Oregon is responsible for over 95% of the United States’ Hops production. Go a little farther east and you have a major supply of wheat and barley from Montana and North Dakota.

The Northwest’s easy access to these key ingredients have allowed a large number of quality craft breweries to emerge in the region over the last few decades. Tacoma itself is home to a number of well respected breweries, which are making a name for themselves.

Click for a list of the top breweries in Tacoma.

Tacoma’s Beer History

Tacoma and its surrounding area has a long history of beer production. The Pacific Brewing and Malting, Northwest Brewing and Columbia Brewing companies are just a few of the original breweries that existed in the Tacoma area — long before the current craft beer craze.  

In the middle years of the 20th century, two major breweries dominated local beer culture. Just south of Tacoma, the Olympia Brewery operated in Washington State’s capital city for which it’s named. Not too far north of Tacoma, just off of Interstate-5 in South Seattle, Rainier Brewery brought some pride to the region with their quirky television ads. As these larger breweries were sold off to larger corporations, local loyalty has shifted to higher quality products that represent their local roots.

In the 1980’s, breweries like Red Hook and Pyramid staked their regional dominance in local beer production. Recently a number of smaller companies have risen to receive regional and national notoriety for their own craft beers.

Click to read about 5 of our favorite beers from Washington.

Rep Your Culture With Your Brew

One of the fun aspects of having a variety of local beers to choose from is that they will most likely represent you in some fun and interesting way. Deschutes Brewery of Bend, OR does this well with their beers that honor the outdoor culture, and many local landmarks such as Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale.

Puyallup River Brewing has followed suit with their Mud Mountain Milk Stout. 7 Seas Brewing, which takes on the local maritime culture, offers a beer that reps the whole area code with their 253 Pilsner. Harmon Brewing Co. steps on shore with beers that honor the adventurous spirit of the PNW. Their Mt Takhoma Blonde takes a twist on the original name of Mt. Rainier, for which Tacoma is named.

Local Rock Station, KISW has teamed up with Elysian Brewery to honor their Radio Show, The Men’s Room, with a series of beers. They have a Gold, Black, and their original Red ale available locally, which is favorite among fans of the station.

Anyone familiar with Puyallup’s Washington State Fair is bound to know about Fisher Scones.  Puyallup River Brewing has chosen to honor this long standing local tradition with a Raspberry Scone Golden Ale. This is bound to be a late summer favorite for locals enjoying local tradition.

Tax Breaks for Beer Companies

Along with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, came a crafty (pun intended) bit of legislations called the “Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.” Craft beer companies were ecstatic.

Under this act, tax relief was provided for all beer producers. This allows both local beer and wine companies to enter the supermarkets at no additional cost. It also lowered the tax assessed beer production and transfer.

While you most likely won’t see an impact on the cost of beer, you may say impact in the variety and quality of beer available at local specialty stores and larger grocery outlets. Brewing companies are likely to use the money they save to reinvest in their company, hire more employees and make more frothy beverages.

Tacoma Boys is your One Stop Shop for Beer

With so many options to choose from, how do you know which stores serve the best craft beer?

Well, for starters, here at Tacoma boys and H&L Produce, we are known for our wine and craft beer selection. Our motto centers around “Quality is always the better buy.”

Not only do we offer thousands of delicious beverages, but we give you the ability to hold beer tasting parties with your friends at our stores. (And yes, they get pretty fun!)

Not only can you can revisit your favorite local beers – but you can expand your horizon by trying beers from all across the world. We pride ourselves in the quality, as well as the quantity, of international beer that we have on hand.

Click to learn why beer lovers envy the Northwest.

Looking For A Specialty Food Store In Tacoma? Come And Visit Us!

Let’s be honest. Nothing beats local and organic produce. Fortunately, here at Tacoma Boys, we specialize in specialty foods. Since 1985, we’ve devoted our lives to giving our customers top quality foods. So whether you’re looking for local beer or fresh fruits and vegetables, we have it all.

Want to know which of our locations are closest to you? Feel free to contact us and one of our helpful employees will be more than happy to help!