Federal Way?

Federal Way is a bit of a dead zone for beer outside 99 Bottles. Your best bet is probably Airways' Bistro in downtown Kent or Engine House 9 in Tacoma.

 

Just go to Tacoma

 

Buffalo wild wings?

 

Federal way sucks for beer restaurants/bars. 99 Bottles is a superb beer store, however they only offer flights in store. Tacoma would be a much better bet, such as E9 or TRH.

 

Sounds like a business opportunity. I lived in the Federal Way area years ago. Left in 1996. Have craft beer places tried to open here and failed, or is it just an overlooked and underserved market?

 

A friend of mine recently moved to East Hill Kent from West Seattle and he's been confused by the lack of beer related places down there. I think 99 Bottles, Airways in Kent, Odin in Tukwila and the random BevMo's and Total Wine's meet the demand. Geaux is apparently opening a taproom in Auburn, so that's on the way.

What really surprises me is the lack of anything out in Kent/Covington.

 

South King County is weird. It must be full of BMC drinkers. When I lived in Renton, I would either head to West Seattle, Tacoma or Seattle for craft beer options. Odin opened their new location in Tukwila and every time I would go there the place was dead.

 

There is a Ram Restaurant and Brewery in Federal Way. If you have to stay in Federal Way (and not journey to Tacoma), then the Ram will be fine. The best beer on their taplist is their porter IMO. Make sure you ask for a non-frosted glass. Yes, it's that kind of place. They might even have some seasonal one-offs on the taplist list. Their beer is decent and I like the food for what it is --- pub food.

 

I live in the Kent/Covington area on East Hill and this is the truth. There isn't anything here except for Airways. With how big Covington/4 Corners/ Maple Valley has grown the last decade they need to have a brewery pop up soon. There are a couple garage brews such as Soos Creek, Wet Head, and Herbert B Friendly but nothing open all week long with proper seating.

 

There is also The Swiss in Tacoma.

 

Not Federal Way but in Puyallup which is like 20 minutes away you can hit up Rainier Growlers. They have 40 taps (36 being beer and 4 cider). Great staff and chill atmosphere. Their food selection is limited to paninis (which are great) but ypu are more than welcomed to order food and bring it from outside. Highly recommended, its my go to place every week. Its a great place you can sit down and have a wide selection of beer. They dont dissapoint

 

Rainier Growlers is sadly stuck amongst the sprawl hell known as Sourh Hill. That 20 minute drive (past two Walmarts, two Targets and two Rams!!) can easily be tripled on a regular day.

 

Yeah just stick to downtown Puyallup with Puyallup River Brewing and Crockett's for pub food.

 

Puyallup River Alehouse is gone. The brewery sold the place to the people who own The Forum so they can focus more on brewing beer. It will reopen soon.

I get my haircut in Puyallup (I work in Auburn, been going to the same place since I was at PLU years ago, I'm not that crazy), so I'd always stop in for a beer before. Sad that's it's gone but I understand their reasoning.

 

aw, bummer.

Well, the Powerhouse is still there, which I find to be pretty underrated. No one EVER talks about that place, but they've been making pretty solid beer since the mid 90s. Good food, too.

 

The Powerhouse has improved a lot recently, too. The brewers are really stretching their wings and trying new styles.

Family in Puyallup, I'm there frequently.

 

Nice. PHS class of '02. Still go to same dentist next to the McDanks and the donut shop downtown.