Redd Dog Brewing Co.
Tacoma's newest brewery has finally finished one of the biggest pieces of its original plan: a spacious outdoor beer garden built for beer drinkers, families — and their dogs.
Redd Dog Brewing Co., which opened in June at 2302 Fawcett Ave., has completed the outdoor space next to its brewery and taproom in Tacoma's Brewery District. The new biergarten is open to all ages and welcomes well-behaved dogs.
And yes, a brewery named Redd Dog really does lean into the dog thing.
The business is named for Redd, the family's Labrador retriever, and dogs have been part of the concept since owners Lane and Jamie Scelzi launched the original Redd Dog U-Pour taproom on Sixth Avenue in 2021.
When the family moved the Tacoma operation to Fawcett Avenue this summer, however, they went considerably bigger.
Redd Dog took over the former Black Fleet Brewing space, giving the company nearly 10,000 square feet, an existing production brewery and commercial kitchen. Instead of continuing the self-pour format of its original Tacoma location, the new operation became a full-fledged brewery with traditional bar service and beer brewed on site.
The new outdoor space completes the transformation.
What had been a sloped grassy area next door has been partially leveled and converted into a concrete seating area with picnic tables, barrel tables and umbrellas. A short set of stairs leads to fresh lawn with Adirondack chairs and cornhole, giving customers room to spread out beyond the taproom.
Redd Dog's own description of the biergarten also promises covered seating, fire pits and turf lawn — a setup intended to work for groups, families and four-legged visitors.
Yes, there's food for the dogs
The brewery doesn't just allow dogs outside. It has a menu for them.
Canine customers can choose from options including an all-beef frank, bacon, a “pup patty,” or grilled chicken breast with rice and vegetables. Dogs aren't permitted inside the taproom except for service animals, but well-behaved pups are welcome in the biergarten.
Humans get a considerably larger menu.
Executive chef Silver Moren created a Mexican-inspired lineup featuring tacos, burritos and shareable dishes. When Redd Dog opened in June, the menu included items such as esquites, elotes and adobo wings alongside à la carte tacos. Outside food and drinks aren't allowed, with an exception for cakes brought in for private parties.
Then there's the beer.
Redd Dog started with eight house beers brewed on site, including pilsners, IPAs, a Mexican lager, Kölsch, wheat beer and a hoppy light lager. The brewery also serves wine, cider, seltzers and nonalcoholic drinks.
From Sixth Avenue taproom to Tacoma brewery
The Fawcett Avenue location represents a significant evolution for a business that started just a few miles away.
The Scelzis opened Redd Dog on Sixth Avenue in 2021 before expanding the U-Pour concept to Puyallup and Bellevue. They closed the original Tacoma taproom earlier this year after getting the opportunity to take over Black Fleet's former brewery.
Their sons are involved in the new operation as well. Nolan Scelzi, who previously worked at Dru Bru and Hellbent Brewing, leads the brewing operation, while his brother Harrison works on the operations side of the family business.
The brewery technically opened June 17, but the outdoor space wasn't finished. Redd Dog celebrated its official grand opening last Saturday after completing the biergarten.
So Tacoma's newest brewery isn't quite brand-new anymore.
But with the beer garden finally open, the beer brewed on site, tacos coming out of the kitchen and even a menu for the dogs, Redd Dog now looks a lot more like the place its owners originally envisioned.
Redd Dog Brewing Company
2302 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma
Tuesday–Thursday & Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Redd Dog’s website can be found here.
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