Ready for some serious beer tasting? Bellingham and Whatcom County are now home to 16 popular craft breweries, including some of the most decorated and highly respected in the nation. The region’s natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation and the community-focused population has inspired a range of talented craft brewmasters here.
Our most recent local honor: Chuckanut Brewery is 2019 Washington State Large Brewery of the Year.
In 2018, Bellingham breweries won a total of 55 awards in seven major beer competitions.
These include, 26 medals at the 2018 Washington State Beer Awards, nine medals at the 2018 North American Beer Awards, four medals at the 2018 World Beer Cup (Chuckanut, Aslan and Boundary Bay), four medals at the 2018 Best of Craft Beer Awards (Kulshan), and two medals at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (Chuckanut).
Bellingham and Whatcom County are also home to a brewery with a beer shrine (Northfork), and a tide-to-table brewery (Atwood Ales).
Fun beer-related activities in Bellingham include Tap Trail, Bellingham Beer Week, April Brews Day, and summer BREWers cruises on Bellingham Bay. Learn more about upcoming events and fun local venues with the links below.
Craft Brewery Updates
- Aslan Brewing’s Newest Addition The Aslan Depot Is Open For Business
- Atwood Ales Farm Brewery Receives Prestigious Good Food Award
- Introducing Twin Sisters Brewing and Bellingham Beer Garden
FrinGe Brewing 
Stemma Brewing 
Twin Sisters Brewery & Bellingham Beer Garden 
122 West Brewing Co. 
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen 
Aslan Brewing 
Chuckanut Brewery & Kitchen
Fun Breweries, Taphouses and Activities
- 9 Dog-friendly Breweries and Bars in Bellingham
- 5 Beery Happy Hours in Bellingham
- 4 Arcade Bars Serving Craft Beer in Bellingham
- Atwood Ales: What’s Brewing on the Family Farm
- Bellingham Bay Brewers Cruise: The World is Your Oyster
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in Bellingham
Annual Oktoberfest Celebrations in Bellingham
Bellingham likes to mix it up with some Oktoberfest events starting in September with others being held in October. Regardless of when they are, Oktoberfest events are as good a reason as any to gather with friends over German-style lagers in the Biergarten.
For a full list of 2019 Oktoberfest events check out our Oktoberfest Blog.
Need more drink ideas?
- 4 Cocktail Bars in Historic Fairhaven
- 4 Cocktail Bars to Taste in Downtown Bellingham
- 4 Craft Cider Tasting Rooms in Bellingham
- 3 Summer Trails and Apres-hike Ales in Whatcom County
- Introducing 122 West Brewing in Bellingham
- Introducing Stemma Brewing in Bellingham, Washington
- Revisiting Twin Sisters Brewing and Bellingham Beer Garden
- Rounding Up Bellingham’s Craft Brewery Scene
- Sip Outside: Year-round Beer Gardens in Bellingham
- Walking Guide to 4 Bellingham Breweries from Baker to the Bay
Beer Resources
Locavores who love their spirits find plenty to rave about in Washington’s far northwest corner. The region’s natural beauty and community-focused population has inspired a range of talented winemakers and brew masters here. Bellingham and Whatcom County are now home to 8 boutique wineries, 3 popular brewpubs, 2 urban tasting rooms and a mead winery. These are ideal destinations for visitors who love to taste the local experience. Transportation to wineries for weekend tours is also available from area hotels.Whatcom County wines range from traditional varieties featuring Yakima Valley grapes to very unique blends and ingredients, including locally-grown raspberries and hazelnuts. The wineries are open year-round for tastings and tours. Bellingham’s brewpubs range from the nation’s largest to one of the smallest, each with their own unique twist. The beer selections are constantly changing and evolving, so a sampler tray is a great place to start.
Locavores who love their spirits find plenty to rave about in Washington’s far northwest corner. The region’s natural beauty and community-focused population has inspired a range of talented winemakers and brew masters here. Bellingham and Whatcom County are now home to 8 boutique wineries, 3 popular brewpubs, 2 urban tasting rooms and a mead winery. These are ideal destinations for visitors who love to taste the local experience. Transportation to wineries for weekend tours is also available from area hotels.
Whatcom County wines range from traditional varieties featuring Yakima Valley grapes to very unique blends and ingredients, including locally-grown raspberries and hazelnuts. The wineries are open year-round for tastings and tours. Bellingham’s brewpubs range from the nation’s largest to one of the smallest, each with their own unique twist. The beer selections are constantly changing and evolving, so a sampler tray is a great place to start.
Chuckanut Brewery was awarded National Small Brewpub of the Year 2009 and Small Brewing Company 2011 at the Great American Beer Festival, Denver. The restaurant serves lunch, happy hour and dinner with an eclectic, fresh, local menu.
Our mission is to produce colorful and flavorful World street food with flare. We also distribute world-class 100% Organic ales, lagers, and soda-pop using local resources, sustainable and low-impact practices in order to promote a healthier, happier, and more environmentally conscious community.
The Aslan Depot serves as a barrel-aging facility, taproom, and event space located in the historic Union Depot building in downtown Bellingham. Featuring a diverse range of artisan beer, cider, and wine. Aslan’s barrel-aged, blended, and unique brews are joined by guest taps of varied craft breweries.
Located in the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, B-Town Kitchen & Raw Bar evokes a fun, urban dining experience. True to its roots, B-Town’s dining room offers a familiar Northwest coastal vibe paired with a mouthwateringly mod twist. Fresh, fun, innovative featuring quality ocean to table cookery.
This classic Northwest eatery is situated on the waterfront with an expansive view of Semiahmoo Bay. Locals and guests rave about the oysters on-the-half-shell and the fish-and-chips. A local hotspot for lunch, happy hour, dinner, or a late-night get-together.
Hand Tossed Pies, Wall to Wall Brewiana, British Style Ales, Belgian Style Sours, Lagers, Easy Vibe, Sassy Servers, Lively Locals, Beer to Go, Seasonal Specials and much more.
Besides brewing bold NW beers, we’re big on community & a sustainable Bellingham economy. We partner with local suppliers/farmers to create a menu of fresh Northwest pub food and support over 100 local non profits annually. Save the Ales!
Thousand Acre Cider House is a place for all to discover and enjoy cider. There is always something new to try with a rotating tap list of 24 craft ciders and beer. Our bottle shop adds 200+ bottled ciders sourced from the PNW and beyond. We are cider purveyors with a mission to guide first-time and seasoned cider drinkers alike to the perfect pour.
“The best beer and the best pizza. All under one roof. Come see our selection of Brews from the Pacific Northwest and around the world. Bring in the family, or order out for pizza delivery. We have something for you.”
Pick up map & redeem prizes at the Visitor Center, 904 Potter Street in Bellingham. Experience the best of Bellingham beer and get rewarded for your travels! The Tap Trail map directs you to more than 20 of Bellingham’s best breweries, tap houses and cideries. Collect stamps for each visit and trade them in for Tap Trail rewards! Learn more at taptrail.com
We are a 15 Barrel brewery on James street in Bellingham Washington. We have a lovely tap room you can come and visit, as well as a dart board and a nice sitting area. For us, it’s all about the beer. Come in and try some! Or you can visit one of the many establishments around town that are already carrying our brews.
Stemma Brewing Co. is a family run brewery that opened in Summer 2019. We are passionate about food, drink and bringing people together. Our hope is that our taproom becomes an extension of your living room and a place where relationships happen. We create beer so you can sit back, relax, and create better friendships. With a tap room open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, we invite you to share our family’s love and passion over a well-crafted pint.
Twin Sisters Brewing Company brings you the ales and lagers you want to drink — authentic, approachable and brewed with pure ardor. Twin Sisters Brewing Company is projected to begin brewing in May and open to the public June 2018.
We are open 11am-11pm, 7 days a week. We’ve got a full menu, happy hours out the wazoo, kung fu, hip-hop and Melvin beer (and some guest taps).
Stones Throw Brewery, located in Historic Fairhaven, is the perfect place to relax for a post/pre-adventure pint on the South Side. Cozy up by the fire-pit, catch some rays on our outdoor patio – this family & dog friendly taproom’s unique approach to sustainability & beer will have you coming back for more.
Closed to the public. Our family owned farm and brewery produces a variety of ales, with many in the spirit of the French and Belgian farmhouse ales that help to inspire our brewing passion. Grange, Lodge, Dark Harbor and Mos are our regular offerings, with an endless stream of seasonals, experiments, sours, blends and estate beers pouring alongside and complementing them.
