Multiple locations, many events, February 27th through March 8th
For the first decade, Tacoma Beer Week competed with everything else happening during the Pacific Northwest’s always busy late summer (August), but last year the organizers moved the celebration earlier in the year, where it now stands alone as a late-winter celebration of beer. For 10 days, events across the city promote the appreciation of good beer to a wide audience.
Tacoma Beer Week kicks off with the launch of its official beer – Erica’s Mangonada Sour – on February 27 at Odd Otter Brewery. A collaboration with Erica’s World’s Best Mexican Desserts, the beer honors Tacoma’s rich tapestry of cultures while celebrating one of Mexico’s most iconic and flavor-packed desserts.
Nearly 50 events are planned across Tacoma and surrounding areas, including curated tastings, collaborative beer releases, and tap takeovers. A particular highlight is the Pro-Am competition, where local homebrewers team up with breweries to upscale their original IPA recipes for public judging at Parkway Tavern on Sunday, March 1 at 2:00pm.
“We’re proud to highlight the grit, dedication, and collaboration that make Tacoma’s beer scene so special,” said Matt McLaren, Director of Tacoma Beer Week. “Each year, Beer Week is an opportunity to turn Tacoma into a big playground that showcases the people and small businesses who pour so much into our local culture and economy.”
Community Building
Through fun, innovative, unique, and educational events, Tacoma Beer Week elevates local businesses, breweries, and venues, highlighting what Tacoma’s beer scene has to offer residents and visitors. It also celebrates the rich history of brewing in Tacoma. If you want to add an event or have a suggestion, click here.
“Our goal is to create a celebration that’s welcoming for everyone,” McLaren added. “Whether you’re a longtime craft beer drinker or just beginning your journey, Tacoma Beer Week offers a lot of opportunities to connect with people, make new friends, discover new flavors, and experience the heart of the craft beer community.”
It is not only about drinking and appreciating beer; Tacoma Beer Week is also about building community. There is a food drive component that will gather food for Nourish Pierce County. They’ve planned a scholastic-style book fair, featuring donated, gently used hardback and paperback books for sale to raise funds for Edison Eagles after-school activities. The final day of Tacoma Beer Week includes a cleanup event where volunteers will gather trash and spruce up the historic Brewery Blocks district in downtown Tacoma.
“Tacoma is fortunate to be shaped by people from around the world, each bringing their own traditions, flavors, and stories,” said McLaren. “Collaborations like this celebrate that diversity and help to highlight the creativity, talent, and passion that are intrinsic to communities made up of many cultures. It really makes Tacoma an inspiring place to be.”
Highlights of Tacoma Beer Week
Beer community gives back:
- Tacoma Against Hunger: week-long food drive in support of Nourice Pierce County
- Socks & Suds: donate new socks at Peaks and Pints to Tacoma Rescue Mission and receive brewery socks – Friday March 6
- Brewery Blocks Cleanup: join Tacoma Trash Pandas and Oscar’s Enemies – Sunday March 8
Other highlights:
- Heidelberg Derby: family-friendly pinewood derby-style race using beer cans at 7 Seas Brewery – Monday March 2
- “Um…Actually”: popular returning game show at Blue Mouse Theater with Sierra Nevada Brewery, putting your trivia knowledge to the test while raising funds for Feed253 – Thursday March 5
- Tacoma Doom Night: a full throttle rock night at Airport Tavern Music Hall with bands Moon Fever (Seattle), Velvet Chains (Las Vegas), and Shades of Insanity (Tacoma) – Saturday February 28
- Other events include a beer science fair, Sunday brunch, pop-up vinyl market, beer and book swap, mocktails and board games, bingo, trivia, craft night, axe throwing and more.
That’s just a small sample of what’s scheduled. The list of events is long and diverse. Check out the growing list of events on the official website. You can follow Tacoma Beer Week on Facebook and on Instagram. Or sign up for the email list on the official website.
Visit our events page and calendar to learn about all sorts of other upcoming beer events. To submit an event for inclusion on our events calendar, use our event submission form. Got more details to share, reach out to us.
