How to celebrate local suds during Tacoma Beer Week, back for 10 days in March
A rowdy round of beer-can derby, book swaps, beer dinners, trivia and a live game show dot the festivities lined up for Tacoma Beer Week 2026.
The annual celebration of all things sudsy begins Friday, Feb. 27 and runs through Sunday, March 8. It’s the second year for the late-winter timing, which draws attention to the industry during a quieter season than the previous summer editions.
“We’re proud to highlight the grit, dedication, and collaboration that make Tacoma’s beer scene so special,” said Matt McLaren, a Tacoma-based beer professional who is also the event’s director. “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.”
That diversity is evident in the more than two dozen breweries, bars and restaurants hosting events over a 10-day span.
TACOMA BEER WEEK EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Kick things off Friday night at Odd Otter Brewing in downtown Tacoma with a pint of the week’s official beer, made in collaboration with Erica’s World’s Best Mexican Desserts in the South End: Erica’s Mangonada, a sour ale “conditioned on huge amounts of mango and chamoy,” the sweet’n’spicy chili syrup drizzled over the iconic Mexican antojito. (Feb. 27, 5-10 p.m., 716 Pacific Ave.)
On Saturday, businesses throughout the Proctor District will have polar bear-themed happenings — a joint effort of Party for Polar Bears, Drinking for Conservation and 7 Seas Brewing. Peaks & Pints, the week’s official “basecamp,” will donate 50 cents from every draft poured from 5-8 p.m. to the conservation cause. (Feb. 28, 3816 N. 26th St.)
Home brewers will show off their wares on Sunday at Parkway Tavern, when the bar will tap kegs produced at local breweries with the direct involvement of the home brewer who developed the recipe. You can judge for yourself to crown the People’s Choice, while a panel of pros will determine the Best in Show. (March 1, 313 N. I St., 2-9 p.m.)
Monday brings back the popular Belgian Night at Pint Defiance, where you can sip on two flights of Belgian brews. Get a pint and keep the glass. (March 2, 2049 Mildred St. W., 5-9 p.m.) Or head to 7 Seas Brewing in Tacoma for the Heidelberg Derby, in which contestants — a.k.a. you! — craft their own beer-can cars to race inside the warehouse. (March 2, 2101 Jefferson Ave., 5:30-8:30 p.m.)
On Tuesday at Stink Meat and Cheese, snag your $40 ticket to a pairing event with five beers and five cheeses. It was reportedly quite popular last year, so call the restaurant at 253-327-1937 to book (March 3, 909 A St., 5-7 p.m.).
Wednesday brings bingo at Wet Coast Brewing and Hop Pharm in Gig Harbor, a book fair for grownups at The Parkway, and “magical mocktails” at The 15% Board Game Cafe — plus games, of course.
Two of the week’s most anticipated events return Thursday: Grizzlies and Glizzies at The Red Hot and Um, Actually, the live game show at Blue Mouse Theatre, in which “anyone can play and anyone can win,” depending on your beer knowledge. (March 5, 5:30-9 p.m., 2611 N. Proctor St., $15 ticket)
On Friday, Pfriem Brewing will take over the taps at Lucky Silver Tavern with the Black Boy Beer Club. (March 6, 2605 South Tacoma Way, 8 p.m.-close)
Headed into the home stretch, Chez Lafayette will offer a five-course, five-beer pairing “luncheon” in partnership with Narrows Brewing. (March 7, 2-5 p.m., 1101 Tacoma Ave. S., call the restaurant at 253-408-7037 or message on Instagram to secure your reservation, $80 per person). The Valley will welcome a pop-up vinyl market and have live music Saturday night (1206 Puyallup Ave., 5-10 p.m.)
The fun wraps on Sunday. Start the day tidying the Brewery Blocks with Tacoma Trash Pandas and Oscar’s Enemies (March 8, meet near Fusion Donut Cafe, 2102 Commerce St., at 9 a.m.). Then grab brunch at Mikey’s Public House with Odd Otter beer cocktails (1702 Pacific Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) and a $5 pint special plus pizza at E9 Brewing Co. (2506 Fawcett Ave., 12:30-9:30 p.m.)
Throughout the week, a food drive will support Nourish Pierce County. Drop off at Dusty’s Hideaway in McKinley, Juniper Botanical Bar in South Tacoma and Pint Defiance in the West End.
“Our goal is to create a celebration that’s welcoming for everyone,” said McLaren in a press release. “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.”
TACOMA BEER WEEK
- Feb. 27-March 8
- Various locations, full schedule at tacomabeerweek.com
- Most events are free to enter