Tuesday 18th of August 2009 06:58:14 PM

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Went here recently on a trip to Tacoma to hang out with a friend and see this and the other local brewpub (Harmon). I was really impressed with the character of this place. I'm a big fan of places that have some real flavor, and this place is very much above average in that department. Has an old engine house type feel to it, complete with firefighting tools and do-dads.

We went in the early afternoon and just ordered beer, so I can't speak for the quality of food, or the late night atmosphere. The place was not crowded at all, and seemed to just be other small groups, couples, and individuals enjoying their local watering hole. We sat up in the little nook tot he left of the bar and played darts... I like darts

Outside of the roasted porter, their beer was very disappointing. We kept getting taster after taster, and every time were feeling really let down. They do carry other beers outside of their own, and if I frequented this place, I would probably be ordering more of the other beers. Sad, I hate when local breweries don't make the awesomest beer.

Saturday 4th of October 2008 08:52:59 PM

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Located in a historic firehouse with décor to match, this is a comfortable place to have a beer. The primary dining area is located up front with table seating and a classic dark wood bar is toward the back with additional tall tables. There is also outside seating on a side courtyard and the patio out front as well as space upstairs for busy nights. There are 26 taps and three pumps available that included 10 house brews when we visited. The remaining taps and casks were split between regional crafts and imports with just a couple BMCs plus there is a good size bottle list as well. The E-9 Scottish Ale was delicious and the menu looked very interesting but we were late getting to our friends place and couldn’t stay. We parked on the street but there is also parking available in a side lot.

Tuesday 9th of September 2008 01:51:17 PM

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This was a great place. I loved the old fire house and the look inside and out was just what we all look for. The beers where good not perfect but hell the atmosphere made up for that. The service was good and the food was also very nice. Kids are Ok and the 10 regular’s taps and 10 guest taps where awesome. They also have some out of country brews by bottle. A must see and have some food sing songs and have a great time. Cheer and have some beer they are getting better in this department also.

Friday 7th of September 2007 12:45:50 PM

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This just could be a fantasy brewpub!
Set on a side street, a block off the main drag of a business district in an older section of Tacoma, Engine House #9 is an old converted fire house, complete w/horse stalls & listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was the 1st non-smoking pub in the county & in 1995, became the 1st micro-brewery in Tacoma.
Framed by a huge chestnut that borders their beer garden and, although it's street-side view leaves you wanting something else, the beer does not.
21 on tap, half house-brews + 25 bottles, everything from Kirin to Lindeman's Pomme Lambic to (and I apologize for this) Bud and Coors.
Wife Persimmon & I sampled all 11 housebrews + (1) cask conditioned bock and 2 guest beers. Their Rowdy Dick Amber, Scottish Ale and the "Mondo Special" E-9 Dark Lager have to vie for 1st place here since they all had distinct personalities and went down way too easy! Each was, as Persimmon judges, a "can't feel my lips" beer.
Their menu is extensive as well with steaks, seafood, pasta, burgers & baked potato + those ever-present fries but we like out fries very crisp, crunchy on the outside...so, unlike many pubs, the bartender threw 'em in the vat a 2nd time, no questions asked. Now that, my beer-drinking friends, is known as customer service!
There's a dining room for families, the bar & its environs is set in the back on the other side of the open horse stalls w/an area for darts and a video trivia game. There are TV's & the music was too loud for my liking but Engine House #9 is ready to quench any fires.
It's hard to convey the character and individuality of any "place" so this is one that has to be experienced to appreciate all it has to offer.
Do so. You won't be sorry.