This week in brews news, Bellingham welcomes a new taproom and we look forward to St. Patrick’s Day beer events around the region. In recent releases, local breweries are now pouring seasonal spring beers including Irish Stouts.
Brews News
Time and Materials Taphouse is now open on State Street.
The new bar features 20 taps (18 beers, two ciders) from mostly Washington and Oregon producers. They also offer wine, and food in the form of shareable small plates, savory tarts and sandwiches.
Following the grand opening weekend, I popped in on a weeknight to take a look. The interior has a Scandinavian minimalism feel, with natural wood, plants and lighting from the large windows. It’s a beautiful space, with high ceilings and highly sought-after seating.
The bar was bustling at dinnertime. With all tables and most bar seating fully occupied, we ordered beers and headed upstairs to the loft’s leather couch. Visit early or late to snag a table at this buzzy new spot.
Time and Materials is open from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday (kitchen closes at 9 p.m. nightly). All ages are welcome.
Time and Materials’ interior has a Scandinavian minimalism feel, with natural wood, plants and lighting from the large windows. (Photo by Brandon Fralic)
Guinness and Beyond
Boundary Bay Brewery kicks off the first of two St. Patrick’s Day celebrations on Saturday, March 12. Following the free-to-attend Bellingham St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Boundary will host the parade after-party from noon to 4 p.m. Festivities include Irish dancing, live music, and food and drink specials. All ages are welcome in the beer garden and bistro; the taproom is ages 21+ only. See Boundary Bay’s website for the event schedule and details.
The brewery will also host events on St. Patrick’s Day proper, Thursday, March 17. Entertainment and a special Irish menu will be available all day in the bistro and taproom. Boundary brews two appropriate beers for the occasion — a sessionable Dry Irish Stout and a malty Irish Red. Don’t forget to wear green!
Uisce Irish Pub celebrates its anniversary each year in March. Opened on St. Patrick’s Day of 2006, Bellingham’s Irish pub always puts on a party for the occasion. Join Uisce on March 12 for parade-day entertainment and March 17 for their 16th anniversary. Bagpipers and live bands will perform on both dates. You can always count on Uisce for a properly-poured pint of Guinness, a fine selection of Irish whiskey and a good time.
In Skagit Valley, Shawn O’Donnell’s is already celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with 17 days of food and drink specials. O’Donnell’s goes all-out for the month of March, with live music and Irish trivia events leading up to the big bash on March 17. When the doors open at 7 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, the restaurant will host a full Irish breakfast before kicking off a day of live Irish music and Guinness giveaways. See Shawn O’Donnell’s website for details.
Recent Releases
Cardinal Craft Brewing is one of several local breweries offering an Irish Stout this month. Stop by their tasting room at the Port of Skagit each Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for pints and beer to-go. Kulshan Brewing released their Mossy Rock Dry Irish Stout in February, available in cans and served on nitrogen (for a creamy head and mouthfeel) at both Kulshan locations. The Irish Stout style is typically light-bodied, low-alcohol, dry and deliciously creamy when served on nitro.
Burned out on stouts? There’s no shortage of IPAs to quench your thirst around here. Stemma Brewing’s recently released Spring Rain is a crushable IPA brewed with Citra and HBC 586 hops. Most beer enthusiasts are familiar with Citra — the hop that lends its tropical citrus aroma to countless IPAs and pale ales.
But HBC 586? This experimental hop variety is developed by Hop Breeding Company (HBC) in Yakima. It’s used to introduce tropical fruit flavors into beer, so expect Spring Rain to smell and taste like a tropical vacation.
Brandon Fralic’s Drink Cascadia column appears on Wednesdays. Reach him at drinkcascadia@gmail.com.
