Christmas Trees at the Hotel Bellwether

We have some talented decorators over at Boundary Bay Brewery. Head on over the the Hotel Bellwether on Saturday, December 6th from 4-6pm and check out our beer-themed tree!

Join us for the 3nd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting event benefiting the Opportunity Council’s Dorothy Place, A secure 21-unit facility in Bellingham that provides support services and transitional housing for single women and women with children who are survivors of domestic violence.

Local Bellingham businesses have masterfully decorated a themed tree at the hotel and we’re asking you to vote for your favorite! Voters are eligible to win a FREE night stay in the hotel Bellwether’s Light House Suite!

Tis the season of giving – so we kindly as that you bring along a nonperishable food items or provide a monetary donation. Throughout December, monetary and canned food donations will be collected to benefit Dorothy Place and donations will be met with a 10% discount to the Lighthouse Bar and Grill!

Holiday trees are on display through December. You are welcome to come down at any point during the week and vote starting this Saturday, December 6th from 4-pm! Cheers!

8th Annual Compete for a Cause: Cribbage Tournament

Join us on Saturday, September 13th, and help support a valuable local non-profit by participating in our 8th Annual Compete for a Cause Cribbage Tournament. All proceeds raised will go to support Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.  A non-profit offering conflict prevention and intervention services for businesses, organizations, individuals, and families, WDRC seeks to help community members to better manage conflict as it arises, and to learn ways to minimize the possibility of it occurring.

Cribbage is one of those games that young and old, stranger and friend can play together in good spirited fun. It’s an all-inclusive way to put a positive spin on conflict-through friendly competition. We hope you will join in the fun! All ages and experience levels are welcome, though understanding of the game is important.

The Beer Garden Bar will be open for mimosas in the morning. In the afternoon, we’ll have our BBQ & Bar open for service. You are welcome to grab some BBQ when you get a chance. Early registration is strongly encouraged (and discounted!) $25 for adults // $20 for students & seniors. Day of registration is $30. Sign up online, or in person at the Boundary Bay Bar.

The tournament will begin at 11am with 10am checkin

 

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For Immediate Release: Mike Durkee Wins Compete for a Cause Cribbage Tournament

 Whatcom Co – The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC), 8^th Annual Compete for a Cause Cribbage Tournament was held Saturday, September 13^th in the Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden. With 56 competitors of all ages and skill levels, participants played 3 round robin games, followed by a heated 5 round, elimination bracket.

The 2014 Cribbage Tournament champion is Mike Durkee of Ferndale, who competed with his wife Kathleen and son Steven. Mike was awarded a gift certificate to Boundary Bay, a free Understanding Conflict workshop at the WDRC, entry to next year’s tournament, and his name engraved on the WDRC and Boundary Bay Brewery Winners’ Plaques for posterity. Mike’s victory was well deserved, as he went home with 2^nd place in last year’s tournament after a narrow defeat by Matt Owings. Andy Brew of Bellingham took second at this year’s tournament.

The cribbage tournament, which is one of a kind here in Whatcom County, included a raffle and the opportunity to engage with WDRC staff, board members, and volunteers to learn more about the WDRC. The proceeds of almost $1,500 will benefit the WDRC and their mission to provide and promote collaborative and constructive approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation, and community education. The WDRC is grateful to Boundary Bay Brewery for sponsoring and hosting this successful annual event and to all of the returning and new participants.

For individuals who missed the Cribbage Tournament, it is not too late support the WDRC. Join the Center in celebration at the 12^th Annual Peace Builder Awards Gala, November 14^th 2014 at 5:30, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. More information and tickets can be found at www.whatcomdrc.org.

The WDRC is a non-profit dedicated to providing and promoting constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation, and community education. More information can be found at www.whatcomdrc.org or by calling 676-0122.

 

 

 

Earth Day Sustainability Fair

On Tuesday April 22^nd from 4-8pm were hosting our 6^th annual Earth Day Sustainability Fair in the Beer Garden! This fun, informative community affair aims to raise awareness about the numerous resources available to us locally in Bellingham. Several Whatcom businesses will have booths staged in the Beer Garden with representatives on hand to answer questions and showcase samples of their products and services. From CSA’s, and human powered machines, to recycled art — this year, this year we’ve  assembled an eclectic assortment of ‘green’ innovativeness from the community. 17 local organizations have been confirmed so far and include:

Plantas Nativa
Sustainable Connections
Cloud Mt. Farms
Common Threads Farm
Whatcom Farm to School
Ralf’s Pretzels
Smart Trips
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Lia’s Vertical Garden Tower
Whatcom Museum
Northwest Rain Solutions
Community Food CoOp
Whatcom Farm to School 
Transition Whatcom
Standup Whatcom 
American Rivers 
WWU Students for Renewable Energy

 “We want to make this an afternoon of raising awareness of what great local options we have for making sustainable choices”, states Janet Lightner General Manager of Boundary Bay. This year, Boundary Bay is especially encouraging families with children to attend this free, educational and informative event. Outdoor BBQ and Bar Service will be available starting at 4PM. There will be live music by Hot Cotton, face painters from Chelle Beautiful for the kiddos and demonstrations by The Real Food Show! We even heard a baby lamb was stopping by for a visit — how can you resist that!?

We are lucky to live in a community that places importance on recycling, alternative energy and sustainable life choices…discover the different ways you can get involved too!

Sponsored by:

[Beer Garden] Wonderland

It’s true, Boundary Bay is hosting Bellingham’s 1st Beer Garden Christmas Tree Lot! We’re aiming to revolutionize this annual holiday occasion…so bring the whole family down and hunt for a tree, while you enjoy a brew! We’ll have a range of Fullner Farm trees available for purchase; from small Charlie Brown’s to large 7ft firs, along with wreathes made by Mt. Baker High School.

Join us on the last day of the tree sale (12/21) for the Winter Solstice Party and Craft Fair! We’ve invited several local artists to set up booths in the garden and sell their hand-made creations. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a little bit of holiday shopping done ; )

Shhh we even heard a rumor Santa was going to be dropping in between 5pm and 7pm so we hope you’ve been good this year! Stay tuned online through our Facebook for event info!

Beer Week at Boundary

Ready for Beer Week Bellingham? The planning is well underway, and we thought you might like to know what we’ve got lined up here at Bbay:

According to the owner of Chocolate Necessities, Kevin Buck, nothing pairs better with chocolate, than a tasty brew (and yes, this includes wine!) Naturally, we think so too : ) so, we’ve partnered up with Kevin to bring you an educational tasting experience that will surely please your pallets. Chocolate Necessities imports and produces some of the finest chocolates you will ever taste… We use a variety of remarkable ingredients gathered through years of inquiry into specialty sources — Amarena cherries, Agostoni chocolate and real pastry liquors from Italy, Vanuatu chocolate from Belgium, vanilla from Tahiti.

Everything we make is handcrafted to give you the best chocolate experience.  So why not offer a two-fer; the best chocolate AND beer experience in one!? Stop by during any day of Beer Week and sample Chocolate Necessities paired with Boundary Bay Beers. How does our Imperial IPA paired with Chocolate covered Lemon Sticks from France sound? Or maybe an Oatmeal Stout with Vanuatu milk chocolate from Belgian? There’s so much more…

On Monday, September 23^rd at 7:00, we’ll be hosting a delicious 5 course beer dinner led by Chef Matt Hansen and our Head Brewer Aaron Jacob Smith. Tickets are of very limited availability and will go fast. They can be purchased at Boundary Bay for $50 a person.  (21+ Only). Here’s how the menu is shaping up:

Roasted Yellow Pepper & Jerusalem Artichoke Soup, w/ Szechuan Peppercorn ESB
Locally Foraged Mushroom and Goat Cheese Parcel, paired with Harvest Rye Ale
Lamb and Rose Stuffed Quail with Harissa and Apricots, paired with Amber Ale
Choucroute Garnie made with local Carne sausages, infused with Scotch Ale
Oatmeal Stout Donut with Irish Stout Creme Anglaise paired with Irish Stout

Oktoberfest in the Beer Garden at 5pm on Thursday, September 26th!  We know we know, its not technically October yet…but we just can’t wait that long. Get ready to put on your lederhosen and tighten up your dirndl, were going to be dancing, drinkin’ and eating pretzels all night long! Not only are we hosting our annual celebration in the Beer Garden, but the next day on the 27^th, we’re also running an Oktoberfest BREWS Cruise on the Bay with San Juan Cruises.  Two days of Oktoberfestitivies…WE THINK YES!

Don’t forget the Beer and Bike ride set for the 29^th at Noon. The biking parade will start at Boundary, head to Kulshan, to Elizabeth Station, Chuckanut Brewery and finally end at the Copper Hog. Last year’s ride was a blast and we cant wait for you to be apart of it!

For more information about beer week, visit http://www.bellinghambeerweek.com!

EAT LOCAL MONTH

Bellingham retailers are joining together in support of Sustainable Connection’s Eat Local First program, with a month long, flavorful and festive celebration of local food and farms. 17 Farm-To-Table restaurants are included in Eat Local Month, along with 20+ edible events — including the Whatcom Harvest Dinner.  Boundary Bay Brewing Co. is one of many Bellingham restaurants, that has made a pledge to provide fresh, natural and local food products to its customers.

Locally owned, family friendly and community driven, we work with over 25 local farmers and suppliers to bring fresh NW pub food to our menu. We adopted the farm to fork slogan and exemplify it’s notion with menu items like the Full Circle Burger: a motto coined from our partnership with local beef supplier, Squaw Creek Cattle Co. in Everson, WA. The cattle at Squaw Creek are grass fed and supplemented with spent grain from the brewery. It’s a simple idea really, it all goes fill circle at Boundary Bay, local business supporting local businesses. In the past year, we’ve made even more changes to our menu, forming  contracts with Anderson Family Ranch, Carlton Farms and Draper Valley Farms; all of whom raise free-range, non-additive, fresh and natural, organic meat products. (click to learn about these menu changes and products).

EAT LOCAL MONTH illustrates how local businesses are working to bring the Bellingham community fresher, healthier food products. In the month of September, Boundary Bay and 16 additional local restaurants have pledged to offer distinctive EAT LOCAL FIRST dishes, made of 50% of more farm-sourced ingredients.

Patrons can win prizes just by eating local food and filling out their EAT LOCAL PASSPORTS. Don’t have one? Just ask your server!  Items on our menu that qualify you for a passport stamp include our Pan Fried Oysters, Full Circle Beef Burger, Harvest Salad, Steamers, Salmon entree and our special of the month; Sabih Sandwich (A classic Mediterranean sandwich with roasted eggplant, Tahiti sauce, hard boiled egg and pickled mango, piled on a cucumber, tomato and onion chopped salad and served on flatbread. (ingredients from Cloud Mt. Farm and Bellingham Flatbread & Bakery).

Sustainable Connections and the participating retailers invite you to eat at their tables, get your eat local month passport stamped, and proudly display your “I ate local today” stickers. To find out more about Eat Local Month, check out the Sustainable Connections webpage.

 

Bellingham Beer Week 2013

We’re coming up on the 2^nd annual Bellingham Beer Week (Septmber 20-29^th) and this year…we’ve got the events stacked all day and all night.

Celebrate Bellingham’s craft beer scene with an entire week (+ 3 more days because one week isn’t long enough) dedicated soley to the love, exploration, and passion of Craft Brewing. Boundary Bay, and several of the other awesome breweries and pubs in town, are assembling together to give you 10 whole days of non-stop “ale-related” events. (AKA Disney Land for adults.) The possibilities of the potential events you can attend are overwhelming, so TAKE A GOOD LOOK at what might interest you — AND GET OUT AND ENJOY YOURSELVES!

Ski to Sea Weekend with BEER!

For many years, a big part of Bellingham’s Memorial Day tradition has been the Ski to Sea race and accompanying festivities.  The race itself is a 93.5 relay race from MT. Baker to Bellingham Bay encompassing seven different sports:  Cross Country Ski; Downhill Ski/Snowboard; Running; Road Bike; Canoe; Mountain Bike and Kayak.

The weekend of fun also includes a community block party with music and food (and a Boundary Bay Brewery beer garden!), a junior Ski to Sea Race for the little ones, a hometown parade and special events all around town – including plenty of ones right here at Boundary Bay Brewery.

Starting Friday, May 25th, we’ll have all kinds of family friendly entertainment to keep everybody busy.  This Friday kicks off the Official Ski to Sea Block Party in our Beer Garden!  There’ll be music, dancing, food and fun.  It’s a costume party too (NOT required!), so wear your Ski to Sea themed attire for a chance to win a fabulous prize! Dress as an original 1911 racer or a modern day racer…be as creative as you want.  AND, the first 800 racers who show up with their race bibs get an official 2012 Ski to Sea beer glass for free!  Oh, and be sure to enter the Ski to Sea and Alaska Airlines contest for a chance to win two round trip tickets from Bellingham to ANYWHERE Alaska Airlines flies. We’ll have our BBQ up and running and there’ll be live music by The Atlantics, too!

Then, on Saturday, May 26th our Beer Garden will open at 2pm and we’ll have the BBQ running all day.  The Bellingham Firefighters Pipes & Drums band will be performing throughout the afternoon along with performances from other pipe and drum bands from the area.  Around 7pm, we’ll start charging a $5 cover for the live music by Sundance which is all ages till 10pm.

The weekend’s festivities will wrap up on Sunday, May 27th with live music by the True Spokes (formerly Flowmotion) at 8:30pm.  The show has a $10 cover as is 21+only, but the Beer Garden and BBQ open at 2, so people of all ages are welcome to relax down there and enjoy BBQ and beer until around 8 when we’ll start charging covers.

Be sure to try some of our Ski to Sea ESB this weekend, too!  It’s brewed specially to commemorate and celebrate the Ski to Sea annual race and this rare brew of ours only gets released once a year.  It’s available on tap here at the brewpub and in 22 oz. bottles sold here at Boundary Bay Brewery and at local grocery stores like Haggens.

Our Ski to Sea ESB is a copper colored English style pale ale that emphasizes the subtle blend of imported and domestic malts. The addition of dry hops adds a delightful hoppy aroma and a slight floral, grassy flavor.

We’ve even got Ski to Sea ESB tshirts and hoodies if you wanna commemorate your experience here in Bellingham this weekend!

Beer + Kilts = True Love!

Highland Reserve Scotch Ale

If you’re familiar with Boundary Bay Brewery at all, you’ve probably tasted (or at least heard about) our Scotch Ale.  It was our original, flagship beer when we opened in 1995, but we’d planned to have it on tap only as a seasonal beer. However, it turned out that our Scotch Ale was so popular that in 15 years we’ve never once taken it off tap even once!

This Scotch Ale has a thick, creamy head and a beautiful red hue with an incredibly smooth finish that lingers.  We make it with roasted, unmalted barley which provides a distinctive flavor and hop it just long enough to give the beer good balance with just a touch of sweetness.  You can pretty much always find our Scotch Ale on tap here at the brewery, at any number of regional restaurants and bars who have our beer on tap and in 22 oz. bottles here at Boundary Bay Brewery and at regional grocery stores and bottle shops.

But, this time of year, our beloved Scotch Ale gets a little bit of competition!  This Thursday (May 17th) we’re releasing our Highland Scotch Ale which is brewed in commemoration of the Bellingham Highland Games.  Made with Dark crystal and peated malts, this beer is rich and dark with a faint smokey finish and is definitely stronger than our traditional Scotch Ale.  This small batch brew is only available seasonally, so be sure to come try it while it’s on tap!  This beer tends to go pretty quickly around these parts and you won’t find this one in bottles, either, so plan your weekends around a road trip up here to Bellingham!

Blessing of the Firkin last year!

You can also enjoy this beer of ours at the Bellingham Highland Games on June 1st – 3rd  out at Hovander Park.  You’ll find it in the beer garden at the games all weekend, but there are a few opportunities for you to get your hands on it early, too!  Here in the Boundary Bay Brewery beer garden, the Highland Games association will be conducting a blessing of the Firkin ceremony on Thursday, May 24th.

They’ll bless the kegs of Highland Scotch Ale heading out to the games and even have some pipers, dancers, game officials and men in kilts…of course!  Here’s the catch though…that special Firkin they’re blessing?  Well, it’s not gonna get tapped until Friday, June 1st which kicks off the Highland Games festivities.  If you head out to Hovander Park that night, you’ll get to enjoy the Kirkin o’ the Firkin AND a Scottish Idol talent show!  What’s a Kirkin of the Firkin, you ask?  Well, $20 gets you a special mug that allows you to drink as much of the Firkin (filled with our Highland Scotch Ale) as you want till it’s gone…that means even the next day if there’s any beer left!

New Coffee, New Beer, Same Old Local Love!

We’re switching things up here at Boundary Bay Brewery!  For years now we’ve been serving Tony’s Coffee and we decided that we’d rather work with a local coffee roaster since our community and local economy are so important to us.  We are very pleased to announce that we are now serving delicious coffee locally roasted by Bellingham Bay Coffee Roasters.  Especially because, just like us, they’re family owned and operated!  They’ve even created a special blend just for us – the Boundary Bay blend.

The blend they created for us here at Boundary is comprised of coffees coming from South and Central America, as well as Africa. It’s a medium-dark roast and it is hand roasted by Fernando & Emma Torres (who run Bellingham Bay Coffee Roasters) using a drum-roaster with no computers, or profiling equipment. The entire roasting process is checked using their senses (smell, touch, and visual characteristics of the bean), along with years of experience roasting coffee.  The blend itself offers a nice, dense body, with pleasant, well-balanced acidity, and slight blueberry notes on the finish.

Now, we’re even using their coffee in a new beer of ours: Nitro Header Stout.  This stout is a lighter, dry style blended with their Morning Header Blend and served from a Nitro tap. Their Morning Header is a Dark Roast blend of coffees from South And Central America and is 100% certified Organic.  It has a nice, heavy body with smoky tones and very light acidity.  We’ll have this new beer of ours on tap here at the brewery as of Monday, April 23rd.  You can also find it on tap at the Copper Hog (eventually) and on tap at Civic Field during the Bellingham United soccer team home games.