One Night in Bellingham

I already covered Bellingham's best beer attraction, Elizabeth Station in a previous post.  For many of us living in Canada, Bellingham is a quick stop to go invade Trader Joe's or the Costco for large quantities of cheese, consumer goods, and Trader Joe's salsa.  While certainly dwarfed by the options further south (Seattle, Olympia and Portland), there are enough stops here for a good night out.  And as an added bonus for us dwellers north of the border, staying over 48 hours allows you to bring over that 8.75 liters of beer no questions asked.

The Dangers of Drinking Two Beers Ascension

So quick tips for a night Bellingham, Washington are in order.  First things first, as always, securing a cheap, semi-convenient place to stay.  Hands down easy choice here, The Coachman Inn offers clean, very inexpensive rooms with free Wi-Fi and a very "walkable" 20 minutes to downtown to hit the two bars that you will go to on that night.  Hopefully, you have already started the day at the Chukanut Brewpub or Elizabeth Station, if not you can save that for the next day.

For the best craft beer options, you really have two solid local choices.  First is the wonderfully quirky The Green Frog.  Imagine if you took a local acoustic concert hall, a grilled cheese joint, and a craft beer bar and fired up your 3D printer.  The Green Frog is what it would produce.  Instruments on the wall, tractor seats at the bar and a healthy mix of locals, students, and music lovers. The tap list is always solid with great, great, regional choices and a few surprises quite possible.  While I was there, Two Beers Brewing's - Ascension was on tap with all of its 18% ABV robustness.  Not widely circulated, it was great to see an area bar secure such an exclusive beer.  The grilled cheese selection here was fun, and very tasty and the barkeeps super laid back and funny.  This place is really more of an acoustic tavern so expect music (separate seating area for concerts) and a small bar area.  If you can put up with that, then it is a fun, local spot.

Second choice, within reasonable stumbling distance is the The Copper Hog.  18 taps here are the highlight with a wide selection of  choices from Washington, California, Oregon and Colorado  usually available.  The food here lives up to its gastropub billing.  There is nothing particularly special about the space, it is a mix of gastropub, sports bar and craft beer. Consequently it can be overrun by idiots drinking Tecate and ordering shots of Jose Cuervo.  But don't let that deter you from stopping in, especially on weekday or Sunday when it is quieter for a bite to eat and few pints.

From here it is a twenty minute or short cab back to the Coachman where you can crash in peace and plot further beer drinking adventures.