Hwy18/Tacoma

I've heard good things about The Red Hot, great beer list and very good dogs. Enginehouse 9 makes decent beer as well.

 

Red Hot.

Hot dogs + craft beer = winning.

 

He said he was looking to grab some quick grub and grab a couple pints.

Edit: I am very partial to the culinary art of high end hotdog options.

 

As far as right off the freeway and easily accessible, that is a tough one. I'm assuming that, as I once was several years ago, you are not from the area and are not familiar at all, and as such venturing into the maze of city streets would sound like a headache and a hemerroid from hell. Keeping it simple, you could take the downtown Puyallup exit off of 512 on your way south and hit up the Powerhouse. If you pop onto I5 from 18, hit up the Harmon in downtown T town, from the conveniently located downtown exit (as opposed to exit names that do not allude to the destination you want). Other than that you will spend some time driving through city traffic after a long day on the road. If you have some time we can meet up at Topside, I'm always down to meet east side BAs.

 

Or you could head south for a half hour, be in Olympia, and then spend your afternoon at the Eastside Tavern.

That's a certifiable gold star plan right there. 42 handles of craft beer plus great pizza from next door.

:-)

http://theeastsideclub.com/

 

Traffic will NOT cooperate on a Friday. His short drive from Hwy 18 to Tacoma and definitely from Tacoma to Olympia on a Friday afternoon will be horrendous. His short drive from Hwy 18 could be OK if he has a passenger and he can drive in the HOV lanes.

 

Harmon Brewing in downtown Tacoma has more than decent food and their beer is not too bad. I've enjoyed their IPA now and then.

 

I'd hit up E9 over Harmon any day of the week. Great tap selection at E9. The Boneyard Boneafide was going down all easy like last week.

 

I would agree that Engine 9 is better than Harmon but it's certainly not easier to get to from I-5. If the OP has good navigational skills, he should look to E9. I was trying to address his hope that the recommended spot is not too far from the freeway. Harmon is the best place that is essentially just off the freeway. Once he gets to Olympia, he'll have the Eastside Tavern to get his fill of great beer.

 

True that, though E9 isn't too hard to hit up...I5, Highway 16, First exit(Sprague) 13 blocks to 6th. Left. 12 blocks to Pine and E9.

 

Keep in mind that E-9 and Red Hot are nearly across the street from one another. Two birds, one stone. Just make sure you get back onto I-5 South to OLY by 3PMish. I routinely make this trek up from Tacoma to Ft Lewis for work. Being caught in any direction on I-5 after 3PM on Friday blows!

 

This can not be stressed enough^^^^^^^^

 

Oh yeah... On Fridays between 11AM and 3PMish you can find me doing the 6th Ave strut bewteen Red Hot and E-9. Let me know if you want or have to snag a brew. LordKrystic will probably be working Red Hot and maybe Libbey can swing by? eh....

 

This would indeed be fact.

 

Summa ma bitch! Working overtime on Friday!! No can do.

 

disLIKE