Craft Beer Heaven - Uncovering Washington State's Brewing Scene

Bellingham: Gateway to Washington Beer

Bellingham, Washington, has emerged as a thriving hub for craft beer enthusiasts, boasting a vibrant scene with almost 20 popular breweries. This city serves as an ideal starting point for those eager to explore Washington state breweries, offering a diverse range of flavours and experiences.

The region's natural beauty and abundant outdoor recreation have inspired talented local brewmasters to create unique and innovative brews. Bellingham's craft beer scene began to take off in 2008, and since then, it has become a destination for beer lovers seeking quality and variety.

Oldest and Newest Breweries

Boundary Bay Brewery, established in 1995, holds the title of Bellingham's oldest Brewery. As a pioneer in the local craft beer scene, Boundary Bay has stood the test of time, earning two gold medals from the Washington Beer Awards in 2023. This longstanding establishment has become an integral part of the community, hosting over 100 nonprofit events each year and serving as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

On the other end of the spectrum, newer breweries like Stemma Brewing Co., which opened in Summer 2019, are making their mark on the Bellingham beer scene.

Outdoor-Inspired Taprooms

Many Bellingham breweries have embraced the city's outdoor-oriented lifestyle, creating taprooms and beer gardens that reflect the local culture. Stones Throw Brewery, for example, aims to capture the essence of sustainability, community, and adventure in its space.

Aslan Brewing Co., which opened in 2014, has become a staple of Downtown Bellingham. With two locations – the original Aslan Brewpub and Aslan Depot – this Brewery offers ample outdoor seating, including heated areas for year-round enjoyment.

The city's focus on outdoor activities has created fun beer-related things to do, like the Tap Trail and yearly events like April Brews Day. During summer months, visitors can even enjoy brewers cruises on Bellingham Bay, combining the love of craft beer with the region's natural beauty.

Yakima Valley: Where Hops Meet Craft

The Yakima Valley stands as the heart of hop production in the United States, growing an impressive 75% of the nation's hops. This region has become a mecca for craft beer enthusiasts and brewers alike, offering a unique blend of agricultural heritage and innovative brewing practices.

The valley's climate, characterized by long summer days and moderate temperatures, creates ideal conditions for hop cultivation. With an average of 16 hours of sunlight during peak growing season and temperatures around 31°C (87°F), the region produces a wide variety of high-quality hops. Despite its desert-like conditions, irrigation from the Yakima River Watershed has transformed this once-barren land into a thriving hop-growing paradise.

Hop Farm Breweries

The Yakima Valley has given rise to a new breed of breweries that combine hop farming with craft beer production. These hop farm breweries offer visitors a unique "farm-to-glass" experience, allowing them to witness the entire process from hop cultivation to beer brewing.

Bale Breaker Brewing Company, situated in the heart of hop country, exemplifies this concept. Visitors can enjoy fresh hop ales while overlooking the very fields where the hops are grown. This intimate connection between agriculture and brewing has become a hallmark of the Yakima Valley beer scene.

Fresh Hop Beer Experiences

The harvest season, typically running from mid-August to early October, brings a flurry of activity to the Yakima Valley. This period marks the beginning of the highly anticipated fresh hop beer season, a unique opportunity for beer lovers to taste brews made with hops used within 24 hours of being picked.

The Fresh Hop Ale Festival, held annually in Yakima, has been recognized as one of the top ten beer festivals in the nation. This event showcases over 65 brewers competing with ales crafted specifically for the festival, using only freshly harvested hops. It's a celebration of the region's hop-growing heritage and a testament to the creativity of craft brewers.

Urban Beer Trails: Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane

Seattle's Neighborhood Brew Scenes

Seattle's craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, with over 60 breweries calling the city home. The Ballard Brewery District stands out as a prime destination for beer enthusiasts, boasting more than a dozen breweries within a one-mile radius. This enclave of award-winning craft beer showcases the city's passion for brewing innovation.

Visitors can explore a diverse range of styles and flavors at breweries like Reuben's Brews, known for its wide variety of beers, and Fair Isle Brewing, which specializes in saisons and wild ales.

Tacoma's Historic Beer District

Tacoma's beer scene has deep roots, with its historic Brewery District dating back to the late 1880s. Today, this area has been revitalized, becoming a hub for craft beer lovers. The district is home to several notable breweries, including 7 Seas Brewing, which operates in the historic Heidelberg Brewery building.

The Tacoma Brewery District offers a unique blend of history and innovation, with many breweries occupying restored buildings and paying homage to the city's brewing heritage.

Spokane's Innovative Brewpubs

Spokane's craft beer scene has been gaining momentum, with innovative brewpubs and taprooms popping up across the city. The city's largest breweries, such as No-Li Brewhouse and Brick West Brewing Co., have been increasing their distribution and gaining market share.

These breweries are not only producing high-quality beers but also contributing to Spokane's growing reputation as a craft beer destination.

Conclusion

Washington State's craft beer scene is a testament to the region's rich brewing heritage and innovative spirit. From the hop-filled valleys of Yakima to the urban taprooms of Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane, beer lovers can embark on a flavorful journey through diverse brewing styles and unique local ingredients. The state's breweries have a significant impact on both the local economy and the craft beer industry, showcasing the creativity and passion of Washington's brewers.