Fairhaven welcomed a new taproom serving beer, cider, wine and more on March 14. Corner Taphouse is now open in the Orca Building at the corner of Finnegan Way and Mill Avenue.
Bellingham locals and friends since high school, Jim Quick and Jim Weber began planning the business in early 2022. With the help of Jim Weber’s wife and co-owner Carrie Weber, they’ve transformed the formerly vacant location into a comfortable community space.
“What we wanted to provide in Fairhaven is a very clean, sharp-looking place where people feel comfortable taking their coat off,” Jim Weber said.
The resulting space is bright, warm and colorful. Corner Taphouse offers a variety of seating, from short and tall tables to bar seating and a living room-like cozy chair corner. Four TVs show sports games, though this isn’t your typical shout-above-the-noise sports bar. The TVs were muted and music was playing during my visit. The volume will be up for the Seahawks and other big games, but generally, the Corner Taphouse vibe is more relaxed with an appreciation for active pursuits.
“We’re athletic. We want to be out doing things,” Quick said. “So the theme here — and it’s not even a theme, it’s just being us — is Pacific Northwest active.”
To that end, active, outdoorsy photos line the walls at Corner Taphouse. Many photos are provided by community members, and customers are encouraged to add their own.
“Another big takeaway from the space, to me, is these pictures,” Quick said. “If you have a picture of you doing something great in the Pacific Northwest, bring it in, hang it up.”
Corner Taphouse offers 12 rotating taps including nine craft beers, two craft ciders and one hard seltzer. When I visited during Bellingham Beer Week, all of the beer taps featured Bellingham brews. I sipped a Bar Beer Kolsch — brewed by Aslan Brewing in collaboration with Ponderosa Beer and Books. Typically, you’ll see a few Bellingham beers along with PNW options from Washington and Oregon.
Notably, Corner Taphouse offers far more wine choices than most beer taprooms. Four red and four white wines are available by the glass, with additional options by the bottle. Non-alcoholic beverages are available in cans and bottles, including kombucha, sparkling water and soda.
While Corner Taphouse doesn’t have its own kitchen, food is available from neighboring businesses. They’ve partnered with next-door Maikham Thai and The Filling Station, and guests are free to bring their own food.
In addition to sports games, Corner Taphouse offers shuffleboard, Pac-Man and tabletop games for entertainment. They plan to host live music, trivia and charity events in the future. Patio seating will be available soon, as well. Keep an eye on their website and social media for the latest updates.
Corner Taphouse is open from 3–10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Located at 1125 Finnegan Way, #103, the business is 21-plus and dogs are welcome.
Brews and spirits news
• Beer Prom returns to Bellingham on Saturday, May 13. The annual decades-themed party takes place at Hotel Leo’s Ballroom with live music, dancing and a ’90s costume contest. Whatcom County brewers team up with breweries from around the state to produce six unique collaboration beers for the event. All Beer Prom proceeds benefit Lydia Place, helping to disrupt the cycle of homelessness in Whatcom County.
• Bellewood Farms and Distillery released its first bourbon, Applewood Smoked Bourbon, in April. “We aged it two years in virgin American oak barrels, then bottled it by hand in Lynden to create a smooth whiskey with notes of caramel and vanilla,” Bellwood Farms president Eric Abel said in a news release. Applewood Smoked Bourbon is available at the distillery tasting room at 6140 Guide Meridian Rd. in Lynden.
• Structures Brewing has reopened its original State Street location, following a temporary closure. Additionally, Structures’ new Holly Street location has opened its “backbar” covered patio for additional outdoor seating.
• Mexican lagers are popping up on tap lists around the region. Best on a hot day, these highly drinkable pale lagers (often served with lime) typically offer a malty sweetness that pairs well with spicy foods. Find Mexican lager on tap at Farmstrong and Chuckanut breweries in Skagit County. Several Bellingham breweries offer the style as well, including Wander, Kulshan, Stones Throw and, of course, El Sueñito.
• Kulshan’s Trackside beer garden is now open weekends through May — 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Starting in June, Trackside will be open daily.
Brandon Fralic’s Drink Cascadia column runs the second week of every month. Reach him at drinkcascadia@gmail.com.
