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Kulshan Brewing Company will be in the Cordata store pouring samples and talking beer! Stop by and take advantage of the great sale on their beer.
$2 off per six-pack on the following varieties from June 27 through July 4!
Kulshan Red, Sunnyland, and Bastard Kat $8.99/six-pack (reg. $10.99)
Kulshan Lager $6.99/six-pack (reg. $8.99).
Atwood is the middle name of brewmaster Josh, his father, and his grandfather (all Smiths), but they named the family brewery Atwood Ales because, as Josh explained, “it is a lot more interesting than Smith Brewing.”
Like many farm kids, Josh Smith left the family farm to attend college, and after graduation he got a job in the city. Several years later, the tranquil beauty and rural lifestyle lured Josh, his wife Monica, and their son, back to the farm in Blaine where Josh grew up and where his parents still live. But, they didn’t return to the farm to be beef farmers.
After 10 years of home brewing experience, Josh had a new vision for this family farm.
It took about seven years from the initial concept for Atwood Ales to their official first sale on May 13, 2016—a date that Josh and Monica proudly recalled. Since then, a legion of fans is propelling the business to great early success.
Josh and Monica lead the Co-op visitors through the hops. The farm is very diverse with fruit trees, vegetables, several varieties of hops, and lots of native plants.
Atwood Ales is quite different from the typical local breweries.
Not so much a collection of towering stainless steel tanks and gadgetry focused on producing IPAs, Atwood is based on hundreds of years of old-world farmhouse-style brewing with just an added dash of stainless steel tanks and gadgetry. Josh described it as “more artistic and less controlled—reflective of the farm itself.” They produce a variety of beers including farmhouse, barrel aged, sours, and more.
The brewery is a mix of custom two-barrel brewing methods with a dash of new technology.
Cordata Beer Department Buyer James Weddle and Atwood Brewmaster Josh Smith discuss all things beer.
The heart of the brewery is in the 100-year-old barn where the beer is produced in a custom two-barrel system, bottled in 750ml bottles (no six-packs in sight), and bottle conditioned in the upstairs loft. The process plays with elements of the natural farm environment, utilizing open fermentation, crops grown on the farm, seasonal wild foraged plants, and other local elements like oysters. Yep, oysters!
The brewery is a family affair. Josh’s dad, Stephen, lends his farming expertise; Josh’s mom, Leslee, helps with packaging and at farmers markets; Josh is the head brewmaster; Monica handles the sales, marketing, and distribution; their son, Xavier, contributes ideas for flavor profiles and catchy names like “No Whey, Bro”; Monica’s dad, Steve, helps with packaging; Monica’s mom, Nancy, helps with packaging and at farmers markets; and even farm dog, Keera, has a brew named after her.
The Atwood Ales family (from left): Monica, Josh, Xavier, Leslee, Stephen, and farm dog Keera.
Next up for the burgeoning small brewery is further renovation in the barn to enable increased production, additional varieties, and more barrel space.
Next time you’re in the beer aisle, pick up a bottle of Atwood Ales and taste the new old-world style of farmhouse brewing. It might be your first, but I promise it won’t be your last.
Read more about the Atwood Ales beer, watch videos, and follow the beer blog at atwoodales.com.
Coco Ryan is a beer enthusiast and educator who works at Elizabeth Station.
Originally from Minnesota, he considers himself a beer nerd but his classes are mostly about having fun.
We are offering two Healthy Connections classes in October for folks who want to deepen their appreciation of Bellingham’s popular adult beverage.
The classes are presented by Coco Ryan, a beer educator and enthusiast who works at Elizabeth Station. Originally from Minnesota, he considers himself a beer nerd but his classes are mostly about having fun.
So, join us to raise a glass, have some fun, and broaden your appreciation of this yeasty delight.
Warm yourself with the roasty toasty flavors of the dark beer world. We’ll cover some of the history behind our favorite fall and winter beers, along with style tasting notes, food pairings, proper glassware, and ideas for selecting the perfect gift for the holiday season. Depending on availability, beers to be sampled may include Dunkel Weisse, bock, dopplebock, Baltic porter, and Oktoberfest, red, or hoppy winter ales.
Wednesday, October 18, 6:30 to 8 pm at the Cordata store
Must be 21 to enroll; photo ID required at class.
Register at: 360-383-3200 or www.whatcomcommunityed.com
$35
The perfect class for all who love the darkest beers out there! We’ll cover everything from infused/flavored offerings to barrel-aged versions, and learn about the most interesting takes on some of the most consumed beer styles in the world. Class includes beer tasting and dessert pairings for your holiday parties and seasonal celebrations.
Wednesday, October 25, 6:30 to 8 pm at the Cordata store
Must be 21 to enroll; photo ID required at class.
Register at: 360-383-3200 or www.whatcomcommunityed.com
$35
The Co-op has everything you need to make your Thanksgiving dinner the best it can be—from decor to dessert!
Thanksgiving is the Olympics of food, family, and traditions. The rituals and foods we eat on Thanksgiving evoke memories of years gone by, and set traditions that future generations will carry forward: laughing and working together in the kitchen, preparing beloved family recipes, savoring the aroma of a favorite entree as it wafts through the house, setting the table for a sit-down dinner with friends or neighbors, or opening a special bottle of wine saved particularly for this holiday celebration.
The Co-op knows how important this meal can be, and we have carefully selected the very best ingredients to help you make this Thanksgiving memorable, and manageable. We’re here to lend a helpful hand with appetizers, side dishes, entrees, desserts, and wine.
The case will be brimming with delicious salads, stuffings, gravies, side dishes, and even roasted turkey and other entrees. Every item is prepared from scratch in the Co-op kitchens using the highest quality ingredients we can source. Ask to taste a sample of any item in the case.
Our deli also offers a variety of prepared trays—veggie, fruit, cheese, Mediterranean, meat and cheese, sandwich, or kabobs. Housemade entrees are also available by the pound—spinach lasagna, veggie and bean enchilada, chicken enchilada, or vegetable frittata.
Our bakers are at the ready to create the dessert of your dreams. Pies, cakes, and myriad other delights are available to pre-order with 72 hours advance notice. Or just stop by the store to pick up your favorite! Our bakery cases will be full of delectable goodies, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Peruse our carefully curated selection of cheese, charcuterie, jams and jellies, and fancy crackers for all your entertaining purposes, as well as chocolate for holiday baking and decorating. We also have butters, mascarpone, ricotta, crème fraiche, and cream cheese for those mouth-watering holiday recipes.
We are pleased to once again offer a large selection of Mary’s Free Range Turkeys. We’re also happy to suggest other options for folks who would rather forgo the bird.
Revel in the abundant selection of fresh organic produce to make your holiday meal shine. And pick up a beautiful floral bouquet for the table.
Find all the extras you need to spice up your meal and take it to the next level of deliciousness. Experiment with new spices and ingredients from bulk, and shop for gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and other specialty organic grocery items.
Shop the vast selection of the best local, imported, and specialty adult beverages. There is something for every budget, and our wine and beer buyers are happy to make pairing recommendations that will perfectly complement your meal.
Explore our selection of one-of-a-kind goods: kitchenware, tableware, serving dishes, wine glasses, candles, and distinctive decorative items to set the perfect mood.
Be on the lookout for tastings and other special events prior to the holiday. We wish you a festive and scrumptious holiday with your loved ones.
Don’t forget that Co-op member-owners can special order items from most any department by the case for a 15 percent (or greater) discount off shelf prices. Just ask at the service desk and learn more about how you can save with special orders.
Have questions? Need help finding something? Just ask our friendly service desk staff. They are always happy to help!
Craft beers from Kulshan Brewing Co. and Boundary Bay Brewery are popular choices with Co-op shoppers. Need a beer recommendation? Ask our knowledgeable Co-op beer department heads—Michael Smith, Downtown, or James Weddle, Cordata.
We’ve all heard the term craft beer, but what is a craft beer?
In the 1970s, due to highly effective marketing campaigns and aggressive merchandising practices, the beer industry was consolidated to only 44 breweries that mostly mass-produced lagers. In response, a grassroots home-brewing culture emerged. The creative spirit of those early home brewers gave birth to what we now call craft beer. These inspired beer enthusiasts would eventually start their own breweries to serve their local communities by making full-flavored beers and reviving European traditions.
"There is no better time to be a beer drinker!"
Despite a difficult beginning, by the 1990s craft brewers began to catch on. The number of craft brewers went from eight in 1980 to 537 in 1994, to more than 2,300 in 2012. Today, the majority of Americans live within 10 miles of a craft brewery. There is no better time to be a beer drinker!
With the craft beer revolution, came the brew pub revolution. In Bellingham, brew pubs have become local gathering places that contribute to our local economy.
Boundary Bay Brewery, Bellingham’s oldest brew pub, opened its doors in 1995. It now employs more than 100 people. They partner with local businesses and support many community events.
In 2012, David Vitt opened Kulshan Brewing Company. They now have 25 employees and produced 3,000 barrels in 2013. Like those craft beer pioneers, Vitt was an avid home brewer who turned his passion into a vocation. He worked for six years at Fish Tale organic brewery in Olympia before opening Kulshan to create craft beers styled for our community.
In addition to Kulshan and Boundary Bay, our local craft beer mecca includes Chuckanut Brewery, Wander Brewing, The North Fork Brewery, Menace Brewing, and recently opened Aslan Brewing Company.
Craft beer was, and still is, community inspired. The people wanted something better. They wanted a quality product, not a mass-marketed lager. Craft beer is part of the “local” revolution. Try a local beer and support a craft brewery—I think you’ll like it. After all, it was made for you. Cheers!
Check out these new items and the monthly staff pick. There’s always something new and exciting to discover at the Co-op.
Give Kris’ staff pick a try and stay healthy in the new year, and check out the new items in our store.
Feeding a crowd? Let them nibble on these irresistible morsels. The cheese case can be overwhelming. Don’t know where to start?
These best sellers offer something to please everyone.
