FROM THEN AND THERE, TO HERE AND NOW. THE STORY OF TACOMA’S FIRST CRAFT BREWERY STARTS WITH A DREAM OF TWO AMBITIOUS TACOMA NEWSPAPER REPORTERS.
Win Anderson and Bob Lane purchased what was once Tacoma’s last horse drawn firehouse and saved it from demolition in the late 1960’s. Their dream was to turn this beautiful old run down building from 1907 into a neighborhood tavern. This dream became a reality in 1972 and is located at 611 North Pine Street which is now listed on the National Historic Registry.
A few proud owners later, Tacoma’s first craft brewery, a 7 barrel system, was added in 1995 in an adjoining building to the firehouse. The brewery’s sole purpose was to supply fresh ale directly to the taps of the restaurant. The brewery was expanded with a number of new fermentation vessels, a barrel fermentation program and local/national distribution shortly after the Xitco and Paradise families bought the Engine House 9 Restaurant & Brewery in 2011. They then became stewards of this iconic institution, and a passionate and talented head brewer named Shane Johns worked diligently with his team to create the notoriety that surrounds E9’s beer program today.
When the City of Tacoma created a Brewery District in Downtown Tacoma along with the increased demand for E9 beer locally, nationally and internationally, the decision was made to close the existing brewery and build a production brewery and taproom in this new district. A building was purchased, that first began its life as the Tacoma Radiator and Fender Works company in the late 1950’s, then plans were carefully laid out and an investment was made to build a state of the art brewing facility.
We hope you enjoy what we feel is the true essence of craft brewing and experience the true grit it requires to blend old and new world techniques into the beer we make for you today. Enjoy your time here at our taproom and bring some beer home to enjoy with family and friends. Please feel free to also dine and drink an extensive line of beers at our all ages Original Engine House 9 Restaurant and former brewery location that is less than 4 miles away. Cheers.
