Beer Tasting at Home in Bellingham, Washington

It’s 5 p.m. on a weekday, and I’m sipping a fresh glass of Structures Fuzz on my front porch. Normally I’d be out for happy-hour with family or friends at one of Bellingham’s brewery taprooms. But nothing is “normal” in the time of coronavirus, with all in-house dining temporarily prohibited throughout the state. Despite these restrictions, many Bellingham breweries and restaurants remain open for delivery and takeout — a welcome taste of normalcy in these uncertain times. 

Scrolling through takeout options on our phones, my partner and I are happy to find that we can still support many of our favorite establishments. Delivery is an appealing option, but instead, we opt to walk into downtown on a warm spring evening for takeout. Another day, we make dinner at home and supplement it with a growler from the nearest brewery. This new social distancing normal takes some getting used to but it’s much, much better with local bites and beer.

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Structures Brewing

For our first pairing, we picked up beer, dinner, and dessert from a few local establishments. Structures Brewing is offering beer to-go, with 4-packs of cans and big bottles available. Soon, they’ll expand to online sales and curbside pickup as well. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.

We walked into the taproom, where only one customer or household is allowed at a time. After selecting a 4-pack of Fuzz — their flagship hazy IPA — we were on our way.

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Pure Bliss Desserts

Next stop: Pure Bliss Desserts. Located a few blocks from Structures in downtown Bellingham, Pure Bliss is our go-to for cakes and all sorts of tasty treats.

We opted for their grab-and-go option, perusing the menu outside and ordering at the door. Service was prompt and we paid with a credit card — no signature required. You can also order dessert delivery through Viking Food. 

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Wanida Thai Cuisine

Returning home with our goodies, we ordered takeout online from my neighborhood Thai restaurant, Wanida Thai Cuisine. After another quick pickup walk, we enjoyed our feast of phad see yew, cake, and brews — all fresh and locally made! While we miss dining out, takeout meals have proven to be a worthy alternative (for now). 

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Growlers To-Go

I’d love to order takeout food every night, but it’s currently the best practice to make most meals at home. We’ve been doing more home cooking lately, supplementing our meals with local brews. One way to get the freshest beer available — and support your favorite brewery through over-the-counter sales — is by grabbing a growler or crowler to-go.

We’ve recently supported 122 West Brewing this way (their 50% off growers deal is a steal!) Note that while some breweries are allowing growler refills, many are limiting growler sales to new glassware only. Check with your brewery of choice for their policy.

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Breweries and Taprooms Offering Takeout

Most Bellingham breweries are offering some version of takeout or delivery. It’s best to check social media for updates as the situation changes daily. For now, Bellingham’s longest-established breweries like Aslan, Boundary Bay, Chuckanut, Kulshan, and Wander are all offering to-go options. Boundary Bay Brewery, for example, offers extensive takeout and delivery options, with free home delivery available. In addition to beer, you can get an entire meal from Boundary Bay’s “Fresh and Ready” or “Frozen Comfort Food” menus. 

Many of Bellingham and Whatcom County’s newer crop of breweries remain open as well. Structures, Twin Sisters, Menace, Stemma, 122 West, and Fringe are all great choices for beer to-go. Some, like Stemma Brewing, are offering no-contact curbside pickup. Simply order online, drive to the brewery, and they will bring the beer to your car door. 

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Finally, hit up Elizabeth Station to solve your one-stop shopping needs. Offering both pickup and delivery, Elizabeth Station’s online shop features over 800 beverages to choose from! That should be more than enough to get us through until we can return to the pubs. 

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