Al Gore invented the Internet.
The next day Gig Harbor resident Bobby Holstein invented the website.
It’s not far off from the truth.
Holstein has been building websites for cigar, spirits, wine and beer companies since the early ’90s. He has the cellar to prove it. He’s wicked smart. Certainly he’s a walking encyclopedia on the history and tastes of his many hundreds of clients. Last year he visited every Washington state brewery.
This piece isn’t so much on Holstein. I’ll save that for another day. My story is on the craft beer taproom and store he opened yesterday with friend Trevor Jones. Yes, son of Tacoma Boys grocery fame, vice president of Local Boys Fruit and Produce in Purdy, and tree farm owner Trevor Jones.
Last year the butcher neighboring the Local Boys Fruit and Produce stand left.
The two friends stood before the space, just a few car lengths from the steady traffic on the Purdy Bridge. Then, they stared at Henderson Bay and Burley Lagoon. They could see Holstein’s house.
Holstein puffed on a Perdomo cigar.
Jones bit into an organic apple.
They knew there wasn’t a craft beer store for miles and miles.
Yesterday, after months of hard work, they opened Local Boys Tap Room.
Wood and aluminum rule the roost, with wooden stools butted up to a long, L-shape bar and a stomach-high shelf runs the length of the building. A cool corner space arose from wooden pallets. The cooler housing the kegs and bottles breaks the space 10 feet past the front door.
They’ll be the first to tell you it’s a work in progress. Twenty unmarked taps of Washington-only craft beer are flowing, with cider on the way. The cooler still has room for, again, Washington-only craft beer and cider bottles and cans. The lone television isn’t hooked into cable yet. And a huge beer garden with a water view is in the works.
Top of the line wine will be poured into goblets, brought over from the large wine collection next door at Local Boys Fruit and Produce.
Food isn’t part of the plan right now, but plenty of options are one minute away.
Yesterday, Holstein and Jones pushed past their exhaustion, greeting the neighborhood as it poured into the space. Bob Hill, cofounder of the Tacoma’s fame Swiss Restaurant and Pub, happened upon the joint on his way home. Today, Top of Tacoma Bar and Café bartender Luke Larsen will be behind the bar from 1-6 p.m.
The operation hours aren’t in stone. And I had to laugh when Holstein told me the Tap Room’s website wasn’t ready.
“I’ve been building websites for so long …” he said, pushing a smile through three hours of sleep. Craft beer, specifically Washington brewed, is his new passion.
LOCAL BOYS TAP ROOM, 6702 Tyee Dr. NW, Gig Harbor
THE OPENING TAP LIST
Black Raven Nothing But Flowers
Black Raven Sunbird Hefe
Chainline Single Speed: Cascade
Chainline Black Swan CDA
Der Blokken Castover Belgian Gold
Der Blokken Rat City Red
Der Blokken Mexican Chocolate Stout
Destiny City Brewing IPA
Hi-Fi Peanut Butter Wolf
Hi-Fi TVC-15 Amber
Kulshan Bastard Kat IPA
Loowit Shadow Ninja IPA
Lovecraft Innsmouth Porter
Lovecraft Olde Kitsap Saison
Postdoc Prereq Pale Ale
Postdoc Blondilocks
Postdoc Alpha Factor IPA
Triplehorn Landwink IPA
Valholl Golden Warrior
Wobbly Hops Hoppalong Banana
