RON SWARNER: THE HOT DOG EATING CONTEST IS BACK >>>

The Red Hot marketing machine hit us again recently with news of its second anniversary party today from 1-10 p.m. Their backyard beer garden will be hopping with a pub-only keg from Elysian called Elysian Koolsch; a cask of Big Al's Hop Soup will pump through their new beer engine; a firkin cask of Schooner Exact 3-Grid IPA will flow at 5 p.m. after someone hammers the tap in (old school!); the Randall will be in operation; the beer floats will be lined up; and The Red Hot will also tip local Pont 21 wine.

Also returning from the Red Hot's first year anniversary will be the hot dog eating contest. Instead of stuffing 50 or so¬" or whatever ungodly amount it was¬" hot dogs down, this year's contest winner will be the fastest to pound three hot dogs including bun. The contest begins at 6 p.m.

According to Chris "Trashcan" Miller¬" the Red Hot's owner¬" his favorite part of the past two years of business has been turning Tacomans on to really good beers.

Every time I could bring a new beer to the area, or turned someone on to a new beer¬" especially someone who doesn't like that kind of beer when they come in, and leaves loving at least two craft beers,-says Miller when asked to recall his fondest memory so far.

Rest assured, there will be more.

[The Red Hot, Sunday, Aug. 16, 1-10 p.m., no cover, 2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229]

Photo: Beer floats will be a part of the celebration today, too.