Basil Lime Disco Lemonade

BERLINER WEISSE WITH BASIL AND LIME

4.5% // 11.0 P // 3 IBU

tart + basil + refreshing

Just in time for a beautiful, sunny fall weekend, we're stoked to share Basil Lime Disco Lemonade with you. We took a beer we all know and love and gave it a boost. Fresh basil and limes were added to the whirlpool giving this beer an amped up citrus profile that pairs with the herbal character perfectly. We're holding on to the last bits of "summer" as much as possible and this beer certainly helps.

HOPS:
Perle
MALT:
2-row, Wheat

Arcade Awakens

NW PALE ALE WITH COFFEE

5.3% ABV // 40 IBU // 12.3 P

coffee + easy drinking + earthy

*Draft Only*

You know that time of day where it’s just too late for an iced coffee, and too early for a beer? It’s a small window, but we wanted to create something for that time, and any time of day. After looking through our archives, it was time to bring back a retro pale ale from years ago… Arcade Dreams.

After adding the Big Bear blend from Bellingham Coffee Roasters, Arcade Awakens was born! The coffee provides a delicate roasted aroma, as well as a bitter earthiness, curbed by the perfect amount of acidity.

While the coffee is the star of the show, this pale ale maintains its classic notes of resin and pine, thanks to Centennial, Simcoe and Chinook. It’s a twist on a classic that’ll keep you buzzin’!

HOPS:
Centennial, Chinook, Simcoe
MALT:
2-Row Pale, C-60, Rye

Cape Sundew

DOUBLE IPA

8.0% ABV // 16.8 P // 85 IBU

big body + pine + tropical

Much like it's namesake, a bright colored carnivorous plant, Cape Sundew appears brilliant yet delicate on the outside, with a powerhouse in the middle-- showcasing one of our favorite hop profiles yet. Heavily hopped with Eureka, Citra and Sabro, Cape Sundew is packed with fruit flavors ranging from stonefruit, to coconut and citrus, with the slightest amount of bitter resin. Deep in color and smooth on the palette thanks to the malted oats and Vienna malt, Cape Sundew delivers as a well-rounded, crushable double IPA perfect for all your late summer shenanigans

HOPS:
Sabro, Citra, Eureka
MALT:
Pilsner, Munich

Unidos

MEXICAN-STYLE LAGER

6.5% ABV // 75 IBU // 16 P

clean + light body + crisp

A blend of pilsner malt lends to both a crisp and complex flavor profile. Flavors of fresh dough and crackers are balanced with a subtle hop presence of honeysuckle and fresh cut grass— all combining with a quiet carbonation to create a thirst quenching beer for a hot summer day😎

This label was designed by Ivan Colin. Ivan drew inspiration from Mexican Talavera ceramic vases from his wedding that his father brought from Mexico. “I decided that I would honor my heritage, the style of the beer, as well as stay true to my style,” he said.

HOPS:
Perle, Hersbrucker
MALT:
Pilsner, Munich

Offshore

WEST COAST IPA

6.5% ABV // 75 IBU // 16 P

citrus + melon + bitter

Collaboration with Georgetown Brewing

Summer is finally beginning and we're extremely excited to be getting back to the water. This West Coast IPA, brewed with our friends @georgetownbrewingco, is sure to be in most of our bags as we head out this summer. Strong piney aromas give way to lime and pineapple, giving a sensational blend of NW and tropical. The slightest hint of brown bread mingles with flavors of pithy orange and cantaloupe. This beer finishes with an assertive bitterness drying the palate just enough. Whether you're onshore or offshore, this IPA is perfect for all your summer adventures!

HOPS:
Chinook, Ekuanot, El Dorado, Mosaic
MALT:
2-Row Pale, Munich, Vienna

FIFA

FRENCH INDIAN FARMHOUSE ALE

5.8% ABV // 11.5 P // 40 IBU

orange creamsicle + medium body + white wine

An Aslan cult classic is finally back on tap and in cans. FIFA (French India Farmhouse Ale) is our mixture of a Saison and an IPA. The classic yeast profile is balanced against North American hops to create a flavor experience similar to Fruit Stripe gum or an orange creamsicle. Finishing with a dry carbonation bite, this beer is a perfect spring time sipper!

HOPS:
Azacca, Cascade, Sabro
MALT:

Hefeweizen

HEFEWEIZEN

5% ABV // 12.6 P // 15 IBU

clove + vanilla + lemon zest

We can't think of anything better on a hot day than sipping on a cold, refreshing beer. Back again as our ode to summer, our traditional Hefeweizen is double decocted, creating a deeper malt profile with delicate flavors of vanilla and wheat bread.

Expressive German yeast paired with Hersbrucker hops creates lemon and clove flavors reminiscent of a lemon tart. All of this comes together with a beautiful crisp finish that will make you want another sip. 

Label by Glynn Rosenburg.

HOPS:

MALT:
Pilsner, Wheat, Carahell, Caramunich

Just Going As Friends

BLENDED SOUR

4.5% ABV // 10.5 P // 30 IBU

upfront acidity + notes of peach +effervescent

Collaboration with The North Fork Brewery

Back in 2018, we got together with The North Fork Brewery and decided to make two Hefeweizens, one at each brewery. Originally they were going to be released as the Middle Finger series but a global pandemic forced an end to the collab series.
Four years later, we found ourselves going to Beer Prom with The North Fork.. but just as friends. 😉
For the first time in a while, we thought about the Hefeweizens we brewed and popped open the foeder and the puncheons from The North Fork. We blended our two beers together creating a Lambic-inspired sour that we named Just Going As Friends. This blended sour starts with a funky complex nose, followed by upfront acidity, overripe peach, and a bright cereal grain finish.

MTN CRSP

PALE LAGER

4.5% ABV // 10.5 P // 30 IBU

crisp + light body + herbal

Collaboration with Craft MTN.

There's nothing better than enjoying a crisp, crushable lager after a good bike ride. Whether you’re riding Galbraith, the Chuckanuts, or anywhere around this beautiful town we've got the beer for you. MTN CRSP is a thirst quenching pale lager brewed with our friends Craft MTN. Flavors of white bread, vanilla, and honeysuckle from the malt compliment the lemon, herbal, and tobacco flavors from the hops. Throw this in your bag next time you go out and share your adventures with us!

HOPS:
Smaragd
MALT:
Pilsner

Český Lev

CZECH PALE LAGER

4.2% ABV // 11 P // 39 IBU

sweet orange + tropical + medium body

Deep in the caves beneath Pilsner Urquell flows a locals only Czech pale lager. Unfiltered and naturally carbonated, this beer harkens back to a simpler time of brewing. Český Lev is an homage to this beer and other like it.

Made with 100% authentic Czech ingredients, double decocted, naturally carbonated, and lagered for 90 days. Český Lev will be the most authentic Czech lager you'll find outside of Plzeň. This easy drinker boasts a pronounced spice from Premiant and Saaz hops, balanced by an earthy malt bill and a hint of diacetyl - a must in traditional Czech pale lagers.

HOPS:
Premiant
MALT:
Czech Pilsen Malt

Smoko

RAUCH HELLES

5.0% ABV // 12.4 P // 20 IBU

smoke + light body + refreshing

Smoko is less a beer and more of a mindset. It's the feeling of not wanting to be disturbed while taking some relaxation time to have a smoke, or in this case a beer. It was over one of those very beers with our friends at Ravenna Brewing that the idea for this beer came to be. Smoko is a light bodied lager with a satisfying smokiness. This beer is smooth and has hints of white bread, honeycomb, and biscuit balanced behind the smoke characteristics. We hope you take a moment of relaxation and enjoy your Smoko!

HOPS:
Smaragd
MALT:

Pilsner, Rauch

Brave Noise

PALE ALE

4.5% ABV // 10.5 P // 30 IBU

fresh melon + light body + zippy

What started out as a simple question on Brienne Allan’s Instagram story: "Have you ever experienced sexism in the beer industry?" quickly became the inquiry that sent shockwaves throughout craft beer, subsequently inspiring a BEVOLUTION. To keep the momentum going, to honor those who have spoken out, we're proudly taking part in a collaborative brew titled 'Brave Noise'.

Brave Noise is a hazy pale ale that packs a punch. Mosaic and Sabro hops provide flavors of piña colada and orange sherbert. A drying, moderate bitterness is accentuated by a prickly effervescence and smooth, light body. At 4.5% this beer is quite easy drinking.

Proceeds from this beer will be donated to End the Backlog, an organization focused on seeking justice for survivors of sexual assault.

HOPS:
Mosaic, Sabro
MALT:
Pilsner, Wheat, Oats, Carahell

Slow Sipper

HAZY IPA

5.9% ABV // 13 P // 55 IBU

sweet orange + tropical + medium body

Slow Sipper was definitely not a one hit wonder…We absolutely needed to bring this one back! This beer was brewed in collaboration with our good friends from Seattle’s soulful septet, @the_dipstagram! This easy drinking hazy IPA is smooth and full of citrus flavors. It tastes like you're eating an orange creamsicle and sitting in a freshly mowed lawn. It also happens to pair perfectly with their new album, Sticking With It, so give it a listen when sipping this beer!

HOPS:
Citra, Mosaic
MALT:
2-Row Pale, Oats, Wheat, Vienna

Cervisia

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE PILSNER

5.0% // 11.4 P // 37 IBU

biscuity + dry + lemon

We've been craving a beer that's bright and crisp, much like these brisk winter days. This Mediterranean-style Pilsner checks all the boxes. Melon and berry aromatics present the brightness up front. Flavors of lemon zest, berries, and cracker dance across the palate finishing with a refreshing bitterness. This beer brings us about as much joy as sitting outside to enjoy it.

HOPS:
Barbe Rouge, Callista
MALT:
Pilsner, Carahell

High Fives

WEST COAST STYLE DOUBLE IPA

8.3% ABV // 18.2 P // 85 IBU

citrus + pine + bitter

We request the highest of fives! This West Coast Double IPA is a nod to the classics and the pioneers of the IPA world. Smells of resinous pine, akin to driving along the northern California highways, take you back to the time when IPAs were fresh and new to the scene. An assertive bitterness greets you like a pang of nostalgia, longing for simpler times. Citrus and tropical fruit mingle with flavors of flaky biscuits with honey. The carbonation and drying bitterness finish like the slight sting of a really good high five.

HOPS:
Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe
MALT:
2-Row Pale, Munich, Vienna

Floraison

ROSEHIP AND HIBISCUS SAISON

5.4% ABV // 12.0 P // 20 IBU

tart + light body + zippy

Just in time for this lovely February cold snap, we are excited to introduce Floraison. French for "flowering" this saison brewed with hibiscus and rosehips is like a perennial waking up from its winter slumber. Floral and black tea notes on the nose greet you like a brisk spring morning. Flavors of strawberry jam, red grapefruit, and clove mingle with a lightly tart, floral hibiscus note. Floraison was brewed as an ode to spring as we make the final push through winter. We got this.

HOPS:
Hallertau Blanc, Callista, Perle
MALT:
Pilsner, Malted Oats, Rye, Wheat

Yakima Select

WASHINGTON PILSNER

4.8% ABV // 11.6 P // 40 IBU

light body + herbal bitterness + crisp

Yakima Select is a Pilsner brewed to celebrate the beauty of the growing region we call home. We wanted to prove (to ourselves) that using strictly Washington-grown organic ingredients, we could still produce a proper Pilsner. This beer uses one malt variety from Skagit Valley Malting and one hop variety from Roy Farms. For all the simplicity, this beer has nuance and character. The malt provides a light, bready body that carries the herbal and lemon flavors from the hops to a clean, drying bitterness. Yakima Select is undoubtedly Washington and is as Cold as the Cascades. Grab a six-pack and enjoy on your next Northwest adventure.

HOPS:
Roy Farm Hops
MALT:
Skagit Valley Malt

Employee Feature: Elmer

Meet Elmer: one of our most tenured and beloved bartenders at the Brewpub and the brains behind Unidos!

Elmer has worked at Aslan for six years, since 2017, making him one of our longest employees here. He started off as a line cook and now has been a lead bartender for the past four years. 

Born in San Deigo and raised in Woodburn, OR, Elmer moved to Bellingham with family when he was 13. He also spent some time in Portland but moved back to Bellingham at 21 to be closer to family and for better work opportunities. He has sisters, a brother, and his mom living here in Bellingham. 

“I’m very big with family.” 

When asked about his favorite Latino food in Bellingham, Elmer immediately said his mom’s house. “When I want the authentic experience, I go to my mom’s. She cooks really well, and my oldest sister has started to get our mom’s recipes down as well!” They often have family meals to celebrate or just to be together.

Elmer’s son, Giovanni, will be moving back up to Bellingham from Portland to start middle school at the end of August. “I remember where I was at in middle school, so I'm super excited to have him be here and to just be a part of that!” he said. 

Elmer’s younger sister Mayra recently got a job here at Aslan. He said they work really well together and that it's fun for him to watch her do her thing and be there to help her when she needs it. This is her first restaurant job, and she’s been absolutely crushing it!

Elmer obviously has a huge spot in his heart for family. He said when his family is doing well, then he is happy. Aslan, to him, has become his second family. The culture within the company and the customers that come here have helped him get out of his comfort zone, grow his communication skills, and meet people in all walks of life, he said. He’s met some of his best friends as Aslan and even lives with a couple of Aslan employees! 

A couple of months ago, Elmer reached out to our production team and had a meeting about creating a Mexican Style Lager. Of course, they said yes! He wanted Aslan to brew a Mexican Style Lager because Aslan never has before, and he wanted to bring awareness to the Latino community in Bellingham and provide a safe space for Mexican families to come gather and feel welcome. Elmer chose the name “Unidos” for this beer, meaning United, to emphasize the bringing together of the Latino community here in Bellingham. 

The artwork for this beer label was done by local artist Ivan Colin, also chosen by Elmer. Ivan used Mexican Talavera pottery as inspiration for the label, and he absolutely crushed it!

Elmer is very excited (along with the rest of us as Aslan) for El Suenito to open soon! They are a Mexican and LGBTQ+ owned brewery and tamale restaurant projected to open in Bellingham in the Fall. He is excited for more representation of the Latinx community in Bellingham, especially within the beer scene.  Be on the lookout for collab beer that just might be in the works…

We appreciate all of our employees coming to us with ideas, big and small, and we are so lucky to have someone like Elmer here at Aslan that actively goes above and beyond to help create the community-oriented space that we aspire to be. Thank you, Elmer; we appreciate you!

Meet Aslan Ambassadors Cara and Dani

Meet Cara (she/her) and Dani (she/her): two of our amazing Aslan Ambassadors! Cara and Dani both joined our Ambassador Program in February of 2022. 

Cara and Dani with their sweet Bernese Mountain Dog George

Cara is originally from Mukilteo and currently works at Peace Health as one of two Pediatric Resource Nurses there. When she isn’t saving lives, you can find Cara wake surfing, snowboarding, playing some stellar campfire guitar, paddleboarding, brewery hopping, or hiking.

Dani grew up mainly in Kirkland and is also a nurse, working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Labor and Delivery. Dani loves backpacking, trail running, skiing, and hanging out with her friends at local breweries. One of her biggest passions is spreading awareness about the need for more womxn and BI&POC representation in the outdoors.

Dani and Cara briefly met while both working at Seattle Children’s Hospital in 2019. A couple of months later they matched with each other on Bumble and have been together ever since! They moved to Bellingham just over a year ago to get out of the city. They live with their cat Arya and Bernese Mountain Dog George who just turned two. And they are currently planning their 2023 wedding!

Dani and Cara had the same idea of proposing to each other on a trip to Kauai. They even ordered each other rings within a couple of days of each other without knowing! Dani’s ring for Cara didn’t come in time for the trip though, so Cara technically beat her to it. 

They are planning on having a small wedding up in the mountains by Artist Point and a celebration with friends and family afterward. 

Showing off their wedding rings!!

With B Proud releasing this month in honor of Pride Month, Dani and Cara reached out to Aslan to help promote one of their favorite beers and create awareness for the LGBTQ+ community. 

“Pride Month is such a special time of year. It really highlights the community as a whole. The progress and the awareness are so so important,” said Cara. “Pride for me is highlighting being able to be your true self fully and being proud of it, whatever those aspects are, sexuality, gender, or anything else.”

They both agree that although there has been a lot of progress with the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community over recent years, society still has a long way to go. 

Dani’s advice to those who are still figuring out who they are is to not worry about the labels. “I felt like there was so much focus on what my label has to be. My advice would be to not worry so much about the label and just focus so much more on how you want to express yourself. I think societal-wise, everyone wants to know what your label is. But it shouldn't matter,” she said.

“Pride is about being proud to express yourself freely and not caring what anyone thinks,” said Dani.

Cara and Dani both were surrounded by supportive family and friends when they came out which they are extremely thankful for. That didn’t mean the process was easy though. Cara says that as a member of the LGBTQ+ community you are constantly coming out to people every day. People automatically assume one thing when they use the term “fiancé” but when they use the pronouns “she/her” it takes people off guard at times. It’s a learning opportunity, they said.

Cara’s biggest piece of advice is to find your support system. “If you've been struggling to find that support system, know that there are people who will love and accept you. You don't have to accept bullshit.”

Seattle’s 48th Pride Parade is coming up at the end of the month to perfectly finish off Pride Month! On June 26th the Pride Parade will be marching through downtown Seattle commemorating the past, celebrating new wins for equality, and getting encouragement for the work yet to come. Dani and Cara both say it’s so much fun, and so encouraging to see so many people come together for the LGBTQ+ community. If you make it to the Seattle Pride festival we recommend stopping by our Fremont taproom to enjoy a B Proud afterward!

Employee Feature: Steph T.

If you’ve ever been to Aslan you’ve probably seen this friendly face… meet Stephanie!

Stephanie (Steph) has been a staple here at Aslan, having been here for over seven years! She has helped this place become what it is today and seen all the different forms Aslan has gone through. Steph started off at Aslan as a food runner and quickly moved up to server and bartender within the summer. Now you’ll find her slinging beer mostly at The Depot. 

Originally from Vermont, Steph and her friends heard rumblings about Bellingham all through college. She knew that she wanted to get out of Vermont and after one visit to Bellingham on a uniquely sunny March day, she decided that it was going to be her new home. Mt Baker was also a huge draw for her, with snowboarding being a big part of her life. 

On her drive out here from Vermont for the big move, Steph got a call from Aslan offering her a job. She started the day after she arrived and has stuck with us ever since!

Within her seven years at Aslan, Steph has taken many breaks from two weeks to two months to pursue her love for travel. “I always say that my favorite thing about Bellingham is leaving and coming back,” she said. Hawaii, Nepal, Brazil, and Peru, are just a few of the places that she visited. Steph is stuck between Peru and Brazil being her favorite place she’s visited. How could you choose?!

Outside of slinging beers, Steph loves to snowboard in the winter and take advantage of the nice weather in the summer. “I feel like in the summertime you appreciate it so much more because it's been so dark all winter!” she said. She does this by hiking, swimming, backpacking, and getting outdoors. Just today she jumped into Lake Whatcom!

Steph has big travel plans for her future! In fact, they are so big, that this weekend is her last weekend at Aslan! Her traveling starts with a cross-country road trip back to Vermont through California and the deserts. From Vermont, she is then flying out to Croatia with family. Next are Portugal, Spain, and possibly some other European countries. After her European adventures, Steph will be back on the East Coast for family and friend time. 

“I'm so comfy here in Bellingham and I'm just excited to push myself and step out of my comfort zone for a second,” she said. 

Of course, she will miss her daily doses of Aslan. She recently had the realization that she really enjoys the physical act of pouring beers and that it’s something she’s going to miss a lot. But the thing she will miss the most is the people she has gotten to work with and serve for so many years.

“Aslan has really been my family and my community since I've been here. It's kind of like built into the job almost. I definitely have formed really meaningful relationships with people here,” she said.

Steph is planning on coming back to Bellingham after her summer travels but is also open to moving somewhere else if a job takes her there. We are sad to see her go but so thankful for the time, care, and positive energy she’s brought to Aslan and so excited to see what she does next! And we are stoked to see her at the Depot once she returns… this time on the other side of the counter 😉

 Visit her on Sunday at the Depot and wish her well on her next adventure!