Peaks & Pints marked its 10th anniversary on Nov. 1, the date the Proctor District bar opened in 2016. Founders Robby and Justin Peterson and Ron Swarner built the business around craft beer, a bottle shop and a restaurant. Its opening setup included 28 taps and bar tops and tables made from old Nalley Valley pickle barrels.
Another piece of Tacoma history anchors the room: a 600-pound Western red cedar log used as the tap bar. The founders describe those materials as a nod to the city’s timber and industrial past, worked into a space they designed as a neighborhood gathering place.
Over the years, the business has added recurring events that bring customers and local beverage makers together. Its Tournament of Beer pits 64 beers against one another in a public vote, while Fresh Hoptoberfest pairs fresh Washington hops with German-style lagers. Peaks & Pints also has hosted beer and cider collaborations with regional breweries and cideries.
The founders say the bar’s regulars and staff helped shape its identity as much as the original concept did. In its anniversary account, they describe customers returning for beer, cider and food, but also for friendships and an everyday place to gather. The tables made from pickle barrels remain a tangible reminder of the Tacoma roots built into the room from the start.
This article was sourced from a more in-depth article in the Weekly Volcano. Read it (and enjoy an interesting photo) here.
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