Sunday 8th of April 2012 12:28:51 AM

link
I turned 21 when I was living in Bellingham and I spent many hours at Boundary Bay. The beer itself is generally decent and enough selection to please everyone. The bar and restaurant are always busy, and as other reviewers have stated the service generally blows. They do have a great beer garden and a really strong menu with some awesome pizza. I hate to give a brewery points for good swag but, Boundary Bay has one of the best logos and slogans "Save the Ales". Try walking out of there without some gear. BB is worth checking out but, Bellingham has so many great drinking options, the brewery is not a must, especially if it's really busy. I'd recommend salmon/goat cheese pizza at La Fiamma across the street, a bunch of beers at the World Famous Up and Up and end the night at the Horseshoe Cafe.

Tuesday 18th of August 2009 06:54:14 PM

link
It was a very, very busy afternoon at Boundary Bay, with most tables inside and outside full of happy patrons. We were seated in a much quicker time than they told us we would be, which is a first for anywhere that I've ever been. The beer service was lightning fast! I ordered a 6 beer sampler, and had it back out to me at my table in the back dining room in a quicker time than I thought it would take just for the bartender to pour it, let alone the time it takes for the server to go get it, and walk across the building to deliver it to me. My pint I eventually ordered, and my lamburger were both delivered in the same, impressively fast manner.

The beer lineup was actually quite good. All 6 of my samples were very good, without one really sticking out as a weak point. I was surprised that the amber ale was the hoppiest, and couldn't believe they used columbus hops in it (a very strong, harsh american style hop). The scotch was excellent, and being one of my favorite styles of beer overall, I had a soft spot for it. It did have a bit more of a hop character than I feel a scotch ale should, but that's their take on it, and it's still a tasty, awesome beer I would gladly drink. I ended up ordering a pint of the Oatmeal Imperial Stout. Wasn't the best choice to pair with my dinner, but holy crap did it pair well with my peanut butter/chocolate dessert cake. The stout was fantastic as I expected it would be. I wish more northwest breweries would do an imperial stout.

Our waitress was extremely friendly, attentive, and just all around a model example of what a waitress or waiter should be. Props to her, though I didn't get her name. She is easy to pick out though, towering over everyone at well over 6' tall.

I would need one more experience like this to give the fifth star, but they are at a solid 4.5. 5 stars is tough to win over with me, and I never give them after my first visit. I could see myself changing it in the future though if I make it back up that way!

Sunday 16th of August 2009 01:45:13 PM

link
Boundary used to be a 2-3 time a week micro brew fix for me for the past 4 years or so. The beer is good. Consistent throughout the batches. The cask nights on Thursdays are fun if you can find room to stand or sit. The beer garden is great for events and sunny days. The menu doesn't really change all that much. They have no french fries! Most of the time it's a safe bet. The problem is the staff. They have to be the worst in town. They have to be the most unappreciative group ever. Ask for the most minor things to include but not limited to "Can I please see a menu? Can I have a refill of your delicious IPA? Are there any seats outside?" and you will get the surliest response. And most likely your question or request will go unfulfilled.

I went in the other week at around 1pm or so. After a solid 5 week strike from the place. The main dinning room was practically empty. The tables in the bar area were about 60% full. My girlfriend and I sat ourselves. I counted roughly about 4 wait staff, a hostess and 2 bartenders. 15 solid minutes went by and no one came over for a "hello, need a drink?" What we did see was 2 of the waitress's gossiping (I can only assume) to each other for a majority of the time we sat. Drink-less.

As a true advocate for craft beer and all things local I'm truly disappointed in the direction Boundary is going. It has officially become the compromise in dining for me. I think I'll pedal the few extra blocks to Chuckanut. At least they are appreciative of your business.

Wednesday 21st of January 2009 04:27:48 PM

link
Boundary Bay brewpub is a great place. The atmosphere is local and comfortable - it’s OK to hang out or just eat and go, and there is a noticeable good pub feeling and lots of conversation. And on top of all that, the beer is delicious and it is an extensive selection for a brewpub. On tap on our latest visit: dry Irish stout (on nitro and regular), Cabin Fever, Imperial IPA, single hop, Oatmeal stout, Amber Ale, ESB, Blonde Ale, IPA, and Scotch Ale. (You can also buy a growler of beer to-go.)

The stone building dates from 1922 (according to the sign on the front). In the front is a large bar area with a view into the brewery and a fairly good sized (kid-friendly) restaurant area that stretches to the back. In the summer, a grassy area in a courtyard two flights down is a great space to while away time.

The walls are white and the floor is an old beat-up, used, but fantastic wide-plank wooden floor. The bar area is filled with wooden tables and chairs or picnic table style benches. Two sails hang from the ceiling and another drapes across one wall.

The food is good, American-style pub food with some seafood choices: burgers, fresh oysters, local beef, tacos, quesadillas, salads.

Monday 19th of January 2009 04:12:13 PM

link
This was the start of my 6 breweries in one day trip. I had a great drive up and was ready at 11:00am to open Boundary Bay Brewing. I found out it was an old car dealership from the 50’s and before that a old train maintenance shop and in the 80’s a gym. They had boat sails up the rafters of the brewery through the windows so you can watch the brewery animals at work. They where brewing an IPA when I was there. Aaron the brewer was hard at work with his buddies and they gave out some great samples of the new barley wine and 3 year old stuff. Damn that was some fine stuff - Thank you Aaron. Had a great time the place had great atmosphere and the food looked awesome. I tried a smattering of samples and loved the Old Bounder barely wine and the single hop Strissel Spalt was awesome very yummy. This is a place to visit on any day. I will bring the family next time and kids are very welcome.

Wednesday 13th of August 2008 02:59:16 PM

link
This place is certainly worth a stop if you were to pass by the area. Here, you have your typical range of ales (blonde, amber, ESB, IPA, Scotch, and Stouts). Every one of them a nice rendition--of course you'll have your variants from brewery to brewery, but that's what makes them all great. Some people's IPA is going to be hoppier then the other, or their Irish Stout not so creamy like the one a few cities down. By far, my favorites is the IPAs and Scotch. You can expect good seasonal from this brewery as well. The Imperial IPA is very good, as well as their seasonal barley wine.

This place can be pretty crowded at times, so waiting time for food and drink can take a while. Thursdays through Saturday in the evenings can be pretty busy. But other dates and times are good.

But worth a stop for anyone doing a NorthWest Beer Trek.

Thursday 15th of May 2008 03:46:38 PM

link
Bellingham, Washington is the last major outpost before the Canadian border.

A college town with all that makes a college town special - including its own brewpub.

Boundary Bay holds a fond spot in the hearts of the locals - it's where they gather summer evenings to watch movies (and drink beer!) in the outdoor garden - or to hear concerts, often times sponsered by the brewery and many of them free (and drink beer) - or to attend a fundraiser (usually for an environmental cause - and to drink beer.)

Seeing a pattern here?

That's because the locals all swear by the beer - and yes, some of them are quite exceptional...but not enough for me to wax poetic about Boundary Bay.

Make no mistake, I always stop by for a brew when I'm in the area...but I also drive another 20 minutes East to the little town of Deming and one of my favorite pubs, the North Fork Pizzeria, Brewery and Wedding Chapel. It has everything a pub should have.

Boundary Bay is big so consequently, it's never un-crowded which means the service suffers - the wait staff can only do so much in any given moment. The food is much different than typical brew-pub fare with items like Tapenade, Pork Tacos and Yam Alechiladas (more than Yummy!) but their beer...

Well, wife Persimmon & I found their beer to be less than the stellar recommendations most assign to Boundary bay product. The Inside Passage IPA was...an IPA; The Amber tasted more like a super-hopped-up IPA ready for a sea voyage from the Far East to Alaska; the Scotch Ale, good but not memorable; the Imperial Oatmeal Stout too smokey; and the Blond, a typical Bud, Coors, Oly wanna-be (because, like most brewpubs, they HAVE to be) so what to do?

Well, try it out for size certainly. Stop if you're in the neighborhood and say "Hi." Everyone there is friendly. Eat, without a doubt. The food is, as I said, very different and tasty. Come in the summer when you can enjoy the music or a movie...but come later in the day.

Since you're in the area anyway, make that side-trip to Deming and North Fork.

You'll be glad you did.

Wednesday 14th of May 2008 05:41:23 PM

link

This person needs 3 or more reviews on the site for their scores to start counting.

This was the Brewery that made me a beer drinker. As such, it will ALWAYS have a place in my heart.

The atmosphere is very calm and laid back, which is a Bellingham staple, the food is decent and includes both Vegan and Vegetarian options, but the service could use a bit of help.

During the summer time, they have an outside beer garden, which more often than not will have some live music playing, and families with children are always welcome.

The beer selection is great though. Their IPA is the best beer i've had, hands down, but they also have several other great noteworthy beers, including their Oatmeal Stout, Scotch, and seasonals like Doppelbock and Traverse Red.

If you're in Bellingham, Don't miss the bay!

Wednesday 5th of December 2007 12:47:41 AM

link
This place has great beer. I'm especially fond of the Dry Hop Amber. The Best Bitter (ESB) is also excellent. Once got a keg of the IPA and it is hard to beat. Unfortunately, the beer seems to be impossible to find outside of Washington. The Pub is nice, nothing special or outlandish, just another brew pub. Nice place to stop and have a beer (and some food) if in the Bellingham area.