For most, it brings up nostalgic memories of the Shangri-La of local drinking establishments, the beloved 3B on State Street. Those haggard few who have been around since the early 1900s may think of the Bellingham Bay Brewery and their "3-B beer."

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro has further immortalized the term in the only way that makes sense: light beer that goes down easy.

The 3B is the newest and one of the lightest of the Boundary beers — perfect for those that are turned off by some of the brewery's heavy duty brews.

"Grainy" is the first word that comes to mind, as the earthy malts stick out once you get past the inch or so of foamy head. A friend of mine went so far as to claim that it "tasted like a barn."

Hyperbole aside, there is little hop character to speak of, which may be why the graininess overwhelms at first. But the beer levels out half-way through, transforming into a subdued, but very drinkable brew that falls somewhere between a lager and blonde ale.

This probably won't go down in the brewery's hall of fame. But for those in the mood for quaffing something light while enjoying the top-notch musical talent Boundary has been hosting in their beer garden this summer, the 3B is a solid choice.

Just don't have too much, or people will file noise complaints and you'll get shut down.