Pumpkin Fever: Available at the Halloween Bash

Brewer Bryan carved up the inside of a giant pumpkin, courtesy of Margaret & Kenny Ingebrigtson and their local business, Grateful Bounty Farms. The pumpkin weighed in just under 105 lbs. Bryan and Brewer Eddie filled it with a few gallons of Cabin Fever and sealed it to create our unique cask for the Halloween Bash on Friday, Oct. 31. Scary Monster and the Super Creeps take the stage @ 9 p.m. Tickets: $5.

For Friends We Love

Join us for the Friday Fish Fry in the Boundary Beer Garden on Friday, June 28th! In addition to our weekly fish fry, we’ll be hosting a Benefit Concert and Silent Auction to raise funds for a fantastic local family; The Karrer Family (Roy, Sally and Woody) who are facing illness and mounting medical bills. $10 suggested donation before 7pm. $10 entry fee after 7pm.  Live Music performances by Chad Peterson, Bob Paltrow, Holly Swanson, Jeff Wilson and David Vaughns.

RSVP to the Facebook Event Page!

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!

Irish Dancing and Corned Beef

It’s St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday and we’re going to be celebrating in a major way here at Boundary Bay Brewery!  We’ll open as usual at 11 am and have a full day of fun planned to entertain the whole family!  Please be aware, though, that we have dancers and other performances happening throughout the brewery that day, so we won’t be able to rearrange tables to seat parties larger than eight  people.  Large parties are welcome to split into smaller groups or to stay together down in the Beer Garden.

our Dry Irish Stout

We’ll have a special menu of Irish Fare that will replace our regular menu for the day.  So, instead of your usual Yam Alechiladas, you can feast on a few of our regular standbys like our House Salad, Caesar salad and Pepperoni or Cheese pizzas or head down to the Beer Garden for BBQ.

But why not enjoy some festive faves like Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shepherdess Pie or one of these other delicious meals?

House Salad – Mesclun greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers & croutons with your choice of dressing: bleu cheese vinaigrette, alehouse, caesar, or Thai vinaigrette.  Beef it up by adding grilled chicken or Tempeh.

Caesar Salad – Romaine, parmesan cheese & croutons tossed with caesar dressing, topped with fresh lemon & cracked black pepper. Add grilled chicken or Tempeh to make it a meal!

Irish Stew – A warm & hearty compilation of vegetables, potatoes & tender chunks of beef simmered together in our Scotch Ale.

Smoked Salmon Chowder – Potatoes, smoked salmon, carrots, celery & onion in a rich cream base with fresh baked bread.

St. Patty Melt – 1/3 pound of natural black Angus beef, char-broiled and served on caraway rye bread with caramelized onions and melted Swiss cheese.

Rueben – Seared corned beef on marbled rye made locally by Avenue Bread with sauerkraut, Russian dressing, melted Swiss cheese & your choice of roasted potatoes, house salad or Tim’s potato chips.  Or make it vegetarian with Tempeh!

Cured Salmon Sandwich – Irish Whiskey cured Sockeye salmon sliced thin and served on a locally made ciabatta roll with sliced tomato, caper cream cheese and pickled asparagus.  Served with your choice of roasted potatoes, house salad or potato chips.

Corned Beef & Cabbage – corned beef brisket braised in Amber and Scotch Ale, served with braised cabbage, carrots and red potatoes

Sheperdess Pie – a vegetarian version of shepherds pie with red beans, carrots, celery, mushrooms, peas, corn and pearl onions.

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There’ll be free entertainment all day in our brewpub: from Irish Dancers to bagpipers to traditional Irish tunes.

And, after the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade at Noon, there’ll be a Post Parade Party in the Beer Garden with live music from 1-5pm with BBQ food available.

Robert Blake and the Paddy Whackers will play later in the night for a $5 cover (21+ only!).  And, of course, special appearances from The Bellingham Firefighters Pipes and Drums throughout the day!

All ages are welcome in the Bistro and Beer garden till 9pm. 21+ in the tap room.

Penk O'Donnell Irish Dancers here at our brewery

Here’s our lineup for Saturday’s entertainment:

• Derek Duffy: 11am
• GO SEE THE PARADE AT NOON!
• Penk O Donnell Dancers: 1pm
• The Wayfaring Strangers (band): 1:30pm
• Penk O Donnell Dancers: 2:30pm
• The Wayfaring Strangers (band): 3pm
• McGlaughlin Irish Step Dancers: 4pm
• Anna Schaad & the Skagit Ceilidh Band: 4:30pm
• Penk O Donnell Dancers: 6:30pm Band TBA:
• Penk O Donnell Dancers: 8:30pm
• The Paddy Whackers (band): 9pm, $5 cover, in the tap room. 21+

In the Beer Garden
• The Paddy Whackers (band): 1:30-3pm
• Puirt Na Gael (band): 5pm

And don’t forget to raise a glass of our new Irish Red Ale or our Dry Irish Stout to say Cheers to St. Patrick’s Day!

Mardi Gras Menu at Boundary Bay Brewery

We’re celebrating Mardi Gras here at Boundary Bay Brewery on Tuesday, February 21st.  We’ll have live music from the Clearbrook Dixieland Band to entertain you and a special menu packed with Cajun delights:

Red Beans & Rice with Andouille Sausage

Roast Beef Po’ Boy – Braised beef shoulder doused in spicy debris gravy, piled high on top of a soft French roll with mayonnaise & shredded iceberg lettuce. Served with your choice side: salad, roasted potatoes, or Tim’s potato chips.

Gumbo – A rich and hearty stew full of tender chicken thigh meat, Andouille sausage, bell peppers, onions, okra, and shrimp. Seasoned with Cajun spices and a dark “chocolate” roux. Served with rice.

Trout Meunière – Seasoned, de-boned fresh trout, pan fried and topped with a traditional brown butter, lemon and shallot sauce with a splash of our Irish Red Ale. Served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage – Red beans slow cooked with, onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and smoked ham. Served with rice and traditional Louisiana-style smoked sausage.

muffaletta sandwich

Channel Cat Po’ Boy – Catfish seasoned with paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano, and other spices blackened in a cast iron skillet served on fresh French roll with pickles and slaw. Served with your choice side: salad, roasted potatoes, or Tim’s potato chips.

Muffuletta Sandwich – Provolone cheese, fresh Mozzarella, Genoa salami, Capicola salume, and Mortadella (contains pistachio nuts) topped with an olive salad and served on a foccacia from Avenue Bread. Served with your choice side: salad, roasted potatoes, or Tim’s potato chips.

Fried Frog Legs – Flour dredged and pan fried, this signature Cajun appetizer comes with three pieces and a spicy, creamy rémoulade made with our Irish Red Ale.

Come celebrate with us!  Cheers.

Oh Those Ugly Christmas Sweaters!

We’re throwing an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party on Wednesday, December 21st!  Best of all, it’s a Toys for Tots benefit.  So, dig up that holiday sweater and get ready to dance the night away with live music from Lukewarm and the Moderates!  Bring an unwrapped new toy as a Toys for Tots donation and get in FREE!  Grinches (those who don’t bring a toy) pay $5. Doors 8:30pm. Music starts at 9pm. In the tap room, 21+.  During the night, we’ll even be giving away prizes for the three ugliest Christmas sweaters we see, so don’t hold back!

Here’s what Toys for Tots says about their organization:  Toys for Tots began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.  The idea came form Bill’s wife, Diane.  In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas.  When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one.  He did.

The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.  The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Over the 62 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children.  Sadly, this year, the organization is feeling the recession just like everyone else and the need is great for toy donations.

Kick Off October With A Brew Ha Ha

One of the cool things about living in this incredible corner of the Pacific Northwest is that we always, always feel lucky to call Bellingham home!  When we can be up at Mt. Baker or down at Larrabee or out on the trails all in one day, we get seriously giddy at this little bit of paradise we live in.

And we imagine that you feel the same way.  If that’s true, come to the Whatcom Land Trust benefit in our Beer Garden on October 1st to help them continue preserving these open spaces that make our region so amazing.  Or maybe just stop in to say thank you for all the incredible work they’ve done so far!

Join us in the Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden on Saturday, October 1st to celebrate Whatcom County’s beatufiul places and the Whatcom Land Trust!  Over the past 25 years, the Whatcom Land Trust has preserved over 10,000 acres of land right here in Whatcom County.

Join them as they celebrate their anniversary this weekend in our Beer Garden with live music, BBQ, great beer and entertainment for the whole family!  Enjoy music by bandZandt from 7-10pm and then stick around for comedy by the 2nd Story Improv Players from 10 – 11. The cover is $10 (all ages welcome) and all proceeds go to support the Whatcom Land Trust, so come have fun and know that you’re supporting a great cause while doing it!

Since the early 80’s, the Whatcom Land Trust has worked collaboratively with private landowners, communities, public agencies, and other organizations to ensure that those natural resources that have sustained us in the past continue to enhance our quality of life.  Their reputation is built on our ability to provide informed, capable, trustworthy, and flexible assistance to private landowners, community groups, government, and other conservation partners to achieve our shared conservation goals.  We foster and reflect a strong land ethic through our land conservation and stewardship education programs.  Whatcom Land Trust helps leave a landscape that contributes to our collective identity and quality of life by supporting sustainable land use practices.

Can’t make it to the Brew Ha Ha, but want to help the Whatcom Land Trust do what they do?  Head to their website to check out other ways to give.

Benefit Concert in Beer Garden this Friday

Sun Community Service Benefit Poster

Following the Fry-day Fish Fry on Friday, August 19, Boundary Bay Brewery will be hosting a benefit for Sun Community service featuring live music by local dance-inducers No-Fi Soul Rebellion, local post-pop-punk super group Rookery (ex-Black Eyes & Neckties/ Axes of Evil), and local navel-gazing rockers Candysound.

Sun Community Service (SCS) administers two housing programs for people in Whatcom County who are homeless and have significant behavioral health/mental health needs. The first, Sun House, is an emergency homeless shelter where people can live for up to three months while transitioning into permanent housing. SCS also runs a Permanent Supported Housing program with five apartments, which just opened in July.  SCS have been serving the people of Whatcom County since 1973 and their staff works hard to make sure their clients have the support they need to meet their goals.

The show starts at 9pm in the beer garden and there is a $5 cover and a $10 suggested donation (which includes a raffle ticket).  Each additional raffle ticket costs $2 and enters you in a raffle to win prizes from the following local businesses:

Brenthaven
Home Depot
Everyday Music
The Upfront Theatre
Mojo Music
Bellingham Fitness
Barnes and Noble
Village Books
Trader Joes
Old Fairhaven Wines
Community Food Co-op
Fairhaven Runners
Drizzle
City Gym
Costco
Quel Fromage
20th Century Bowl
And More!

Celebrate Salmon at Boundary Bay Brewery

Inarguably, salmon plays a vital role in the culture and community of the Pacific Northwest.  And the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) is a local community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring sustainable wild salmon runs right here in Whatcom County.  As part of their annual fundraising efforts, they team up with us here at Boundary Bay Brewery every year to bring you Salmon at the Bay!

Salmon at the Bay is a celebration of salmon through art, food and music.  One of the ways they raise money is through the NSEA photography display up on the walls of our bistro – available for purchase for just $40 each. Proceeds from all the art sales go towards supporting NSEA’s salmon habitat restoration programs.  Another way they raise money for the programs is through their annual Salmon Dinner in our Beer Garden.

This Friday (August 5th), from 5-8:30pm, you can enjoy picked summer vegetables; qunioa salad with fresh herbs and feta cheese; fresh green salad with blue cheese, dried cranberries and pecans; corn with herbed butter; rolls with garlic herb butter and delicious grilled salmon with NSEA’s secret sauce!  Plus Mallard’s vanilla ice cream and fresh berry sauce (made with local strawberries and raspberries) for dessert.  Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 in advance – tickets available at NSEA and here at Boundary Bay Brewery.

At 9pm, the celebration will continue at with live music from Nick Vigarino.  Nick’s original music captures the expressive passion of the blues masters and he will blow you away with his guitar, dobro and harmonica skills! The show is 21+ only and $7 if you didn’t attend the salmon dinner.