New taproom offering unique flavors opens in Tacoma. Key-lime tart ale is worth a try
Tacoma’s Sig Brewing, which opened a production taproom and restaurant in the near-downtown “Brewery District” in 2020, has brought its unique slate of beers to a new location in South Tacoma.
Sig South opened July 10 at 5419 South Tacoma Way.
It replaces the Auburn-based Scamp Brewing taproom, which closed in October after just 14 months due to personal reasons, the owner told TNT Diner at the time.
Located through the rounded entrance next to the beloved Howdy Bagel, the long narrow space looks similar but with fresh paint and art on the walls, including Sig’s signature hop-inspired I-dot. The bar remains in the back corner, and there’s ample table seating throughout.
In addition to a couple of guest handles, the 10 taps predominantly feature Sig’s own creations, produced by head brewer Jeff Stokes at the flagship facility at 2534 Tacoma Avenue South. There, Stokes has established Sig as a force in the regional beer scene through not just super-solid West Coast-style IPAs but also crisp beer-drinker’s beers that sometimes get lost in today’s hop-obsessed culture. For instance, try the Wedzona Piwo Grodziskie, a Polish-style smoked ale with wheat malt, or the Piccaddily Pilsner, a London-style lager.
Sig also stands out for leaning into fun, colorful beers — a Key lime tart pastry-style ale to a watermelon and hibiscus ale with sea salt — and fruity hard seltzers.
The 4-year-old brewery was tapped to create this year’s Tacoma Beer Week collaboration with Brown & Haley. Find the Almond Roca-infused cream ale — called A Deal with Destiny — at the annual festival’s pre-funk party on Aug. 9 at the original Sig (and afterward, too, on tap and in cans).
Unlike the first Sig, where a talented kitchen churns out equally creative pub fare including brick-oven pizzas, deviled eggs and chili-crunch gnocchi, the new outpost does not serve food. Instead, guests are encouraged to order smashburgers, fries and beignets from its other, also new-this-summer neighbor, Radnor’s at Edison Square. Scan the QR code at your table to order online, and Radnor’s staff will deliver the bag to you.
Co-owner Duncan Susag, whose concrete design studio previously occupied the downtown brewery space, said he and brother Alex Susag and their cousin John Samuelson were looking to expand. For as happening as South Tacoma has seemed in recent years, it unfortunately lost its only beer-focused bar in June when Edison City Alehouse closed.
The new taproom hopes to fill that void, especially with later hours on weekend nights.
Note that due to state liquor laws, the taproom is 21-and-up. Outside food is permitted — from wherever, not just from Radnor’s — and dogs are welcome on the sidewalk patio.
SIG BREWING SOUTH
▪ 5419 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, sigbrewingco.com
▪ Wednesday-Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.
▪ Details: new taproom from Tacoma’s Sig Brewing, follow instagram.com/sigbrewingsouth for updates
This story was originally published July 29, 2024 at 2:50 PM.