Brew 253: The 253’s Beer & Music Festival | Tacoma Arts Live Annual Celebration

One of Tacoma’s favorite summer traditions returned on Saturday, August 9, 2025 — Brew Five Three: The 253’s Beer & Music Festival hosted by Tacoma Arts Live at the iconic Tacoma Armory and along Yakima Avenue.

This annual beer and music celebration brought together craft breweries, regional cideries, delicious food, joyful music, friendly competition, and countless memorable moments — all in support of Tacoma Arts Live’s nonprofit mission to energize community through live performance and youth arts education programs.

Tacoma Arts Live

Sip, Taste & Celebrate Northwest Brewers

Brew Five Three transforms downtown Tacoma into a lively festival experience where attendees can sample beers, ciders, and meads from dozens of regional breweries and producers. The 2025 event featured an impressive lineup including:

• Axis Meads

• Bizarre Brewing

• Brothers Cascadia Brewing

• Dick’s Brewing Company

• E9 Brewing Co.

• Evergreen State Brewing Co.

• Fierce County Cider

• Ghostfish Brewing

• Honey Dragon Meadery

• Lucky Envelope Brewing Co.

• Mac & Jacks Brewing Co.

• Matchless Brewing

• McMenamins Elks Brewery

• Merchant du Vin

• Narrows Brewing

• North 47 Brewing Co

• Odd Otter Brewing

• Offset Ciderworks

• pFriem Family Brewers

• Republic of Cider

• Sig Brewing Company

• Silver City Brewery

• Stoup Brewing

• Thorntail Hard Agave

• Tieton Cider Works

• Woodinville Cider Works

• Yonder Cider

• 7 Seas Brewing

• 2 Towns Ciderhouse

  
  

This variety of craft beer and cider options satisfied both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers eager to explore the Pacific Northwest’s thriving brewing scene.

As festival attendees milled through exhibits and tasting tables, the energy buzzed with friendly conversation, cheers over favorite pours, and genuine joy — perfectly captured by the festival photos and spotlighted in the images you’ll see below.

🎶 Live Music, Entertainment & Community Spirit

Brew Five Three isn’t just about beer — it’s a festival of music, culture, and community. The 2025 musical lineup included:

• Jayza — A soulful performer blending jazz, R&B, and gospel influences

• &Friends — A Tacoma-based cover band featuring a full horn section and crowd-pleasing energy

• Grit & Grain Podcast — Live beer industry discussion and banter hosted by regional experts

• Mark Hurwitz and Gin Creek — Blues performers with a lively swing and jazz-influenced sound

• Riio — An Urban Latin and reggaeton artist bringing infectious rhythms and danceable grooves Tacoma Arts Live+1

  
  

From smooth soulful vocals to upbeat covers and Latin beats, the music set a vibrant backdrop for an afternoon of food, drink, and community connection.

🎉 Festival Fun & Games

Brew Five Three celebrated craft beer culture with more than just tastings and music. Festival goers enjoyed:

• Arm Wrestling Competitions — A lively crowd favorite where attendees challenged each other with laughs, cheers, and friendly rivalry

• Beer-Related Products, Merch & Vendors — From custom glassware to local food truck bites, there was plenty to browse and enjoy

• Community Raffles and Games — Adding fun opportunities to win prizes and support Tacoma Arts Live’s year-round programming

  
  

Whether you were sampling a new brew, cheering on an arm wrestler, or discovering a unique festival vendor, Brew Five Three brought people together in the true spirit of summer fun.

Venue & Experience

Held at the Tacoma Armory (1001 Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA), Brew Five Three transformed this historic venue — dating back to 1908 — and adjacent Yakima Avenue into a vibrant festival space. The Armory’s versatile indoor/outdoor environment provided the perfect setting for this block-party style celebration, complete with large tasting halls, food trucks, music stages, and communal spaces where event goers could relax, mingle, and enjoy the day. The Washington Beer Blog

📸 Capturing the Moments That Matter

As a professional event photographer and videographer covering Tacoma Arts Live’s Brew 253, I had the pleasure of documenting the faces, experiences, and atmosphere that made this year’s festival unforgettable. From people examining craft pours and sharing laughs, to arm wrestlers locking hands in playful competition,and people dancing, the event was alive with texture, emotion, and community — perfect for imagery that tells a story beyond a single sip.

Whether you’re a fan of beer festivals, live music, community gatherings, or cultural celebrations, events like Brew Five Three highlight the vibrancy of Tacoma’s arts, culture, and local economy.

🍻 Beer, Music & Community — All in One Place

Brew Five Three continues to shine as a hallmark Tacoma summer experience — a place where locals and visitors alike can celebrate craft brewing, enjoy live entertainment, and come together in support of Tacoma Arts Live’s mission to grow access to the arts and creative engagement for all ages.

Stay tuned for updates on next year’s festival, more seasonal celebrations, and additional community-focused events from Tacoma Arts Live.