Exploring Bellingham's brewing scene

Bellingham's brewing scene has experienced both growth and closure over the past six months. Multiple articles discuss this balance in the industry. A notable Bellingham brewery suddenly closed, and another local brewery took over its spot. Stemma Brewing announced plans for expansion by opening a taproom in the former Twin Sisters' location. Meanwhile, Otherlands Beer gained recognition, landing a spot in the USA Today's Top 10 Brewpubs.

On the legislative front, Washington breweries narrowly avoided a significant tax increase, a financial threat expected to return. These stories highlight the challenges and achievements shaping Bellingham's brewing landscape.

Twin Sisters Brewing Company’s Lullaby Imperial Stout and rotating hard cider at the brewery’s outdoor beer garden in Bellingham, Wash. on Aug. 4, 2023. By Alyse Smith

NO. 1: BELLINGHAM BREWERY AND BEER GARDEN ANNOUNCES SUDDEN CLOSURE; ANOTHER TAKES OVER LOCATION

Twin Sister Brewing Company has been in business for six years. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

NO. 2: BELLINGHAM BREWERY NOMINATED FOR TOP 10 BREWPUBS IN THE COUNTRY; VOTING IS OPEN NOW

Vote now for your local brewery. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

The upstairs bar at Otherlands Beer at 2121 Humboldt St. in Bellingham.

NO. 3: BELLINGHAM BREWERY NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 10 BREWPUBS IN THE COUNTRY BY USA TODAY

The local brewery ranked seventh in the nation. | Published March 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

NO. 4: BELLINGHAM BREWERY OPENS INSIDE TWIN SISTERS’ PREVIOUS TAPROOM, AND THEY’RE POURING PINTS

The brewery took over Twin Sisters location. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Bill Rink, Adam Hagen and Paige Hagen wait as their drinks are refilled at the outdoor tap set up the Octoberfest celebration at Chuckanut Brewery in September 2016. By Staff

NO. 5: WASHINGTON BREWERIES JUST AVOIDED A STEEP TAX INCREASE THAT’S EXPECTED TO RESURFACE

“Margins are already tight. Increased taxes harm our desire to do business in Washington.” | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A block of Holly Street between Commercial and Bay streets in Bellingham, Wash., is one of the areas that will be closed to vehicle traffic in summer 2020 to allow businesses to expand outdoor seating and inventory to help with social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. By City of Bellingham

NO. 6: ‘IT’S ROUGH OUT THERE.’ LOCAL BREWERY CLOSES DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM TAPROOM AND LOUNGE

The shop closed May 3. | Published May 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.