You’ve seen him at the Proctor Arts Festival with his young family. You’ve seen him at Brew Five Three Beer & Blues Festival hanging out with his extended family. But, most likely you’ve seen him on his computer crunching numbers and mumbling about hop costs and maintenance schedules. He’s Eric Willard, director of operations at Two Beers Brewing Co. and Seattle Cider Company, and a Tacoman who drives six days a week to the sister companies’ South Seattle location to work long hours. He can also crush your bones with a hug, which is what happened when we suggested Two Beers, Seattle Cider and Peaks and Pints should throw an “After Party” immediately following the Proctor Arts Festival and Brew Five Three Saturday, Aug. 5. Apparently, Willard could use an after party and we imagine so could Tacoma after two large events held the same day — a day before Tacoma Beer Week launches.
Doesn’t a Two Beers Wonderland Trail IPA with its citrus and passionfruit flavors sound lovely after a day checking out contemporary art quilts at the Proctor Arts Fest?
You could probably use a Two Beers Pilchuck Pilsner after flipping through piles of colored pencil art.
Juried art show, sidewalk chalk art, face painting, your maniac children running around Proctor — all good reasons to hang out that night with Two Beers EVO IPA specially brewed with spruce tips at Peaks and Pints.
In regards to Brew Five Three: Tacoma’s Beers & Blues Festival happening the same time across town in front of the Pantages Theater, an after party is what you do after a large craft beer festival. Willard and his Two Beers/Seattle Cider crew will have a booth there, pouring their goods, after which they’ll pack up and head to Peaks and Pints for just rewards. Warning: attendees of the annual Tacoma beer festival aren’t exactly what you’d call wallflowers, bub, as they tend to let loose at after parties.
Since our Tacoma After Party is the night before the launch of Tacoma Beer Week, Peaks and Pints will be pouring “253” variations of Two Beers and Seattle Cider craft goods — meaning two ciders, five lighter crafts and three heavy treats: Seattle Cider Dry and Seattle Cider Berry; Wonderland Trail, Pilchuck Pilsner, Day Hike Summer Session Ale, EVO IPA with spruce tips (no, really) and Immersion Amber; and Chocolate Lab Stout (we’re not kidding), Overhang Imperial Porter and Jive Espresso Stout. Expect door prizes.
BONUS: There’s a solid rumor The Grand Cinema will be in the house promoting their Tacoma Film Festival so you can imagine how fun/weird that could be.
So, save a little energy Saturday, Aug. 5 for the Tacoma After Party at Peaks and Pints. Just be careful when you go to hug Eric Willard. It could be a whole other reason to take an Uber home.
TACOMA AFTER PARTY, 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 5, Peaks and Pints, 3816 N. 26th St., Tacoma, Basecamp Proctor, Tacoma
LINK: Proctor Arts Fest
LINK: Brew Five Three: Tacoma’s Beer & Blues Festival
LINK: Two Beers Brewing Co.
LINK: Seattle Cider Company
LINK: The Grand Cinema
