December 21, 2015 · Derek

7 Seas Brewing Expanding Into Tacoma's Historic Heidelberg Brewery

In what may be some of the most exciting beer news we've seen in a while, Gig Harbor's 7 Seas Brewing Company has announced their purchase of part of the historic Heidelberg Brewery in downtown Tacoma. They will begin brewing there in 2016. The building will be a permanent home for an expanded brewery operation and tap room. Given that a significant portion of the original Heidelberg Brewery was demolished a few years ago, the conversation today is about what's now known as the Jet building at 21st and Jefferson.

Tacoma, WA, December 21, 2015 – 7 Seas Brewing will expand operations with a second location and begin crafting beers in the historic Heidelberg Brewery starting in the spring of 2016. This expansion represents the founders’ commitment to local economic development and dedication to crafting quality

The revitalized brewery will occupy two city blocks adjacent to the University of Washington campus at the heart of downtown Tacoma’s historic brewery district. The purchase of this historic building allows 7 Seas Brewing a permanent home where they will increase capacity ten fold as they continue to enter new markets. Plans for the 80,000 square foot space include a tap room and market, a large barrel-aging cellar, with additional space planned for a 60 barrel brew house and operations. “This project represents everything we love about our company, our community, and brewing history. As brewers dedicated to crafting and keeping our beers local, we cannot think of a better place to expand operations besides the historic Heidelberg Brewery,” said co-owner Mike Runion.

Creating a strong and thriving economy in all of Tacoma’s business districts is vital. 7 Seas Brewing is proud to be a part of that effort. Runion added, “We are grateful for the support we have received from City of Tacoma Economic Development, the Chihuly Studio team, Heritage Bank, the SBA, Harbor Reality Advisors, and Mayor Strickland’s office.” Mayor Strickland and Deputy Mayor David Boe were a pivotal part of creating this opportunity for 7 Seas. “We are pleased to welcome 7 Seas Brewing to downtown Tacoma and thank them for being part of our shared vision for the renaissance of our historic Brewery District,” said Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “With new hotels, and the planned Town Center development, the 7 Seas Brewing project shows there is growing interest in downtown Tacoma.” “This is fantastic news for South Downtown and the Brewery District,” said Deputy Mayor David Boe. “It is another important piece in the continued redevelopment of existing building stock in Tacoma.”

About 7 Seas Brewing

7 Seas Brewing founded in 2009 by Puget Sound natives, Travis Guterson and Mike Runion, offers 7 year-round brews, 3 rotating seasonal brews, and an extensive Tap Room Reserve Series. As the first brewery in Washington to can craft beer, they blazed a path of environmentally friendly packaging that has since been adopted by many others. 7 Seas Brewing voted ‘Best Brewery in the South Sound’ 6 years running by readers of South Sound Magazine and ‘Best Brewery in Tacoma’ by The Volcano. Their Brewery and Tap Room in beautiful downtown Gig Harbor is open every day, is family-friendly, and showcases a wide variety of core and small batch brews. For more information about 7 Seas Brewing please visit www.7seasbrewing.com.

Now if we could just find that old Heidelberg watertower to put back on the roof.

More information at Seattle Beer News and 7SeasBrewing.com.

Filed under: Tacoma Business, Neighborhoods, Tacoma Landmarks, Eating Local, Restaurants & Bars, Brewery District, Beer, Wine, Spirits, Heidelberg

12 comments

CA December 21, 2015

Wow, this is VERY cool! Right up there with The Elks and Old City Hall projects.
Joel December 21, 2015

What's historic about an empty lot? That building was torn down when the Holilday Inn was built. Is it the Sam's Tire Warehouse?
Scott December 21, 2015

So this is actually either the Jet Building or the Sam's Tire Building, but not the (completely missing) Heidelberg Building.
- Derek staff December 21, 2015
  
  This would be the Jet Building that they purchased - which was once part of the Carlton/Heidelberg brewing complex. We've changed the wording in the article a bit.
Elrod Fitzsimmons December 22, 2015

Another trendy craft been joint......yawn......
- Aaron December 22, 2015
  
  Yeah! You kids get off my lawn!
- JD Hasty December 23, 2015
  
  Tacoma, the Little Detroit of the West. Following the Detroit model of coffee shops, restaurants and bars, retail, upscale grocery stores, craft breweries and museums while neglecting basic functions of government such as weekly garbage pickup and pavement maintenance and preservation. What it gets you is a half mile radius of "urban revitalization" surrounded by a City that is falling apart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqfAzpTGPGo
Mike December 22, 2015

I would love to work here if your hiring?????
- Mark R December 22, 2015
  
  *you're (may want to spell check before asking for a job)
  - Jesse December 22, 2015
    
    He can be understood through tough thorough thought, though.
    - Altered Chords December 23, 2015
      
      This is the best comment I have ever seen on exit133 - Nice context, proper spelling of those rarely seen words due to difficult spelling. Nice work Jesse! Makes me want a beer. Who the heck would give Jesse's comment a thumbs down? Someone who hates words that start with th?
rankler December 23, 2015

This is great news as 7 Seas brews phenomenal beer. I only hope that it will be 21+, as their brewery/taproom in Gig Harbor is swarmed with kids whose parents are barely watching them.