Hidden Gem - Elizabeth Station in Bellingham, Washington

Rejoice beer loving Vancouverites.  Does the humdrum beer offerings of Vancouver have you down?  Nothing against some of the fine local beverages available on this side of the border, but we all crave that American style place with hundreds and hundreds of bottles readily available.  A place free from the draconian and antiquated BC liquor laws, where beers flow in from across the US and Canada.  How far would you travel for such a place?

Well, it turns out that you do not have to travel very far at all.  Just over the border into Bellingham, Washington, this little hidden gem of a beer and wine bottle shop has what you seek.  And as an added bonus to the best local bottled beer selection, they have five taps available with super local, fresh offerings from small Pac-Northwest breweries.

Some Shopping and Some Sampling, My Day is Complete

Boasting northwards of 600 bottles, no-one will be disappointed with the selection of beer available.  But  what really makes it special is the wide geographic area their beer selection covers (particularly in the US). I cannot think of many places that I can pick up a Stillwater Ales special release, some offerings from Boulevard in Kansas City. as well San Diego offerings like Alesmith and Ballast Point as well as a fine selections of Belgians.  This particular day, I picked up a Great Divide Yeti Espresso Oak Aged Stout, an obscure herb infused beer from Stillwater named after their gastropub ("Of Love and Regret") and a Double IPA from Shipyard out of Maine, as well as a Speedway Stout from Alesmith, and a Chocolat Imperial Stout from Souther Tier.  Look it was deep into the winter months, so I needed those stouts, OK - normally I am much more varied.

In addition to the bottles, Elizabeth Station has long social tables (and even a kids table) available, free wi-fi, snacks on offer, and best off all 5 taps.  Taps right there in a liquor store - someone catch me, I am f**king swooning.  I chose the sampler package with four offerings a Chocolate Russian Imperial Stout from Widmer, an excellent Born & Raised from No-Li, a local Gose from Skagit River, and a Brown Ale from Island Hoppin'.  The beers were solid and the price was highly economical. The beers rotate often, and the super friendly staff always have an iPad giving a description of the beers on offer on ready display.

Elizabeth Station gets the rare "Run Don't Walk" rating.  If you are in Vancouver, it is a short hop over to Bellingham and the Station is with stumbling distance of the Chuckanut Bewery and Kitchen, so it is real easy to have a fabulous afternoon.  Elizabeth Station is located on 1400 Holly St. Bellingham, Washington in the downtown area of the city.  Vancouverites, go there and pick up for 8.75 liters of beer if you have stayed over stateside for 48 hours!!!