Business

Banking on Beer: The Beer Vault

The tails are wagging at The Beer Vault, a popular family-owned tavern. Dogs are welcome at Hal and Ronda Haase’s specialty taproom along the water’s edge in Purdy.

They love the pups so much that there’s even a Woof Wall that includes hundreds of Polaroid snapshots capturing their beloved canine customers.

The Woof Wall  displays snapshots of the tavern’s furry friends. Photo by Julie Ammann

“That’s why I come here,” said Dan Marden, who visits the tavern a couple times a month with his Swiss mountain dog, Rex.

Swiss mountain dog Rex relaxes at the foot of bar stools while his owner, Dan Marden, enjoys a beer. Photo by Julie Ammann

Don’t let the name fool you. In addition to a rotating lineup of 12 beers on tap, hand-selected from across the country, The Beer Vault serves up ciders, seltzer and wine.

Good wine selection

“We have a good selection of wine,” said Hal Haase, “including Caymus wine out of Napa Valley, Justin Wines out of California and DeLille (Cellars) from Woodinville.”

You can buy wine by the glass or bottle. Plus, you can reseal the opened bottle and take it home.

Setting itself apart from other local taprooms, Haase special-orders kegs from across the country to provide the beer enthusiast with both regional and national brands to try.

“I work very hard at bringing good beers from outside of the area,” he explained.

Tavern owner Hal Haase pours one of his unique beers on tap for customers. Photo by Julie Ammann

Experience the flavors of a Founders Solid Gold Premium Lager hailing from Grand Rapids, Mich., a Cigar City Aruba Red Ale brewed in Tampa, Fla., or if you want to sample something sourced a little closer to home, how about an Icicle Dark Persuasion German Chocolate Ale from Leavenworth — all available at $7 per pint. Feel free to nibble while you enjoy your drink. Food is permitted in the tavern. You’ll find plenty of nearby choices, from Thai and burgers to pizza, and there’s even a taco truck available.

Where friends gather

Haase established The Beer Vault with the vision of it being “a gathering spot for friends.” Pete Kence, a loyal customer, expresses how he and wife Ricki “feel like part of their family.” With pride, he retrieves a branded tavern hat from his pocket, stating, “I always carry their beanie with me. They gave it to me on my birthday.” He goes on to share, “My wife and I have visited numerous taprooms, but this is one of our favorites.”

Customers Pete and Ricki Kence of Gig Harbor enjoy their beer at the taproom on a Saturday afternoon. Photo by Julie Ammann

Kence and his wife are familiar with the entire family, including the Haase daughters — “Hilari, Jori, Ciera” — all actively involved in supporting the taproom. It’s a true family venture, with the Haase sons-in-law taking charge of social media and special projects, while Ronda manages marketing and handles the books.

Long way from the farm

Hal and Ronda, longtime Gig Harbor residents, didn’t initially plan on becoming tavern owners. They were high school sweethearts from a small rural town of Odessa in Eastern Washington, where Hal’s father worked as a farmer. Despite his upbringing on a farm, Hal realized early on that agriculture wasn’t his destined path.

The Haase family is pictured in the Beer Vault family photo hanging on the wall adjacent to the tavern entrance. Photo by Julie Ammann

“I was allergic to just about everything,” he chuckled, recounting how his future wife, Ronda, had to give him allergy shots.

Hal would graduate from the Electrical Program at Spokane Community College (SCC). When he began looking for a job, however, the only opportunity available was working in a grain elevator.

“You gotta be kidding me,” he said to himself.

Owner Hal Haase with two of his daughters Hilari, right, and Ciera, left, behind the bar. Photo by Julie Ammann

A career in bioprotection would bring him to Western Washington, far away from the wheat field allergens. A career in mortgages and working as a broker would follow. Ronda established a career as a real estate agent, a profession she continues today. By 2018, Hal realized he was burned out and ready for a change.

Taproom idea sparked at winery

While visiting Sonoma in 2000, the pair met a retired couple who were pouring wine at a local winery. Hal recalled, “My wife mentioned to me, ‘I could see us doing that.’”

The taproom idea was sparked, and by August 2020, Hal and Rhona secured a lease for the old KeyBank branch close to the Purdy bridge. While the pandemic forced many businesses to shut down, the Haase family took the opportunity to transform a bank into a beer-serving establishment, dedicating their time to renovating the space.

The tavern’s namesake, the old KeyBank vault, serves as a beer refrigerator today. Photo by Julie Ammann

The bank vault’s safe deposit boxes made way for beer and beverages when it was converted into a refrigerator. The exterior back wall facing the water was demolished and new windowed garage doors installed. These were accompanied by patio railings, enabling customers to enjoy both indoor and outdoor seating, offering views of the sunset and the chance to observe orcas and wildlife.

Hal Haase admires the view from the newly installed garage doors. Photo by Julie Ammann

Unique bank features were repurposed. The old red bank phone now hangs above the bar, while merchandise is displayed in the safe deposit boxes. Even the drive-thru teller lanes were converted into an outdoor patio for live band performances and evening maker markets.

Night markets have gained immense popularity, attracting customers from throughout the area. Patrons stroll under what was once the KeyBank drive-thru to shop with area local makers. Photo by Julie Ammann

Out with the old, and in with three new 75-inch widescreen TVs to watch the big games. At The Beer Vault, games aren’t just a spectator sport; they’re meant for participation. Among the taproom’s most sought-after events are Thursday trivia nights, where prizes await the winners. Friday nights are for live music performances.

Supporting the community

Being a family-operated business, contributing to the community holds great significance for the Haase family. When you raise a glass, you fund a scholarship. A percentage of The Beer Vault’s profits supports Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology program. In December, the taproom is also supporting area nonprofits. They are collecting warm, clean clothing and blankets for the Tacoma Rescue Mission and new toys for Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Even the furry friends are not forgotten, as donations are welcomed to support the Giving Tree NorthWest Wag Rescue.

The events continue at The Beer Vault with the upcoming Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery tasting scheduled for Dec. 13, showcasing six select wines. Attendance is priced at $25. Register online.

More info

The Beer Vault website: https://www.thebeervault.net/

Address: 14004 Purdy Drive NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Phone: (253) 514-8426

Email: [email protected]

Hours

• Monday: Closed

• Tuesday: Closed

• Wednesday: 3 p.m.-8 p.m.

• Thursday: 3 p.m.-9 p.m.

• Friday: 3 p.m.-9 p.m.

• Saturday: noon-9 p.m.

• Sunday: 1 p.m.-6 p.m.