BY MATT STEVENS for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 9/25/2026
On another rainy September afternoon, I decided to ride the bike out to Seven Seas’ downtown Tacoma location. While I do love the waterfront space in Gig Harbor, downtown holds a special place in my heart because we have taken our kids down there since they were very small and it was the last place we went to in the spring of 2020 before the world came crashing down. Hoping for as much joy as that last time we spent time with a great group of friends is what got us through that terrible year. But this time, I was there by myself on a cold, rainy afternoon and I decided that I needed the Export Stout.
An export stout is usually a heavier beer with a higher alcohol content than a standard stout. This stout from Seven Seas pours at 6.8 percent alcohol.
Appearance-wise, it comes black and impenetrable. Perfect. There is a small, dark tan head on the top. I love the look of the can-style pint glasses they serve at Seven Seas, though I’m not sure how much impact it has on the beer. They are much better to hold and drink from than shaker-style pint glasses.
For the aroma, there is a strong note of roast barley, with chocolate, caramelized malt, and some sweetness as well. No hops come through in the nose at all, but these beers can be well hopped at times to balance out the malt sweetness as needed. I’m not missing the hops at all; that combination of smells is extremely inviting.
Taste-wise, I’m slapped by the flavors of coffee. Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not a coffee drinker; coffee has always tasted like burnt ham to me. And so I usually don’t love beers with strong coffee flavors. But export stout pairs the strong coffee flavor with fantastic chocolate and roast notes.
This is a big, heavy beer that will fill you up and make you take notice. As I get further into it, I can start to feel that alcohol as well. It’s a delicious, full feeling from the coffee and roast flavors and the overall full body of the beer. It’s a fantastic way to warm up after biking in the rain. I also love that Seven Seas is right on the new extension of the Prairie Line Trail that runs from UW Tacoma up to S. 25th so it’s relatively easy to access.
Overall, the Export Stout is a great beer. Get yourself one at Seven Seas at 2101 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402.
