Gruff Brewing

GRUFF is in downtown Bellingham very close to where now-closed local institution Boundary Bay Brewing was located. It’s a neat spot in an old wooden building wiht exposed wooden rafters and a general seaside-cabin feel, with a bar and a number of communal-size tables. They also have some outdoor seating as well. I sat at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and prompt. They have a small kitchen inside doing smash burgers and a few other items, but I didn’t have lunch on this visit.

They had a dozen or so beers on tap when I was there, including many hoppy beers: double, West Coast, hazy, and juicy IPAs, plus two hazy pale ales; there was also an Oktoberfest, a marionberry gose, a Japanese rice lager, a Czech pilsner, and a raspberry cream ale. There were also a few guest taps and their very own hard iced tea — I think craft hard iced tea on draft is a new one for me. I had a few of their beers, the Oktoberfest and a few of the hoppy selections, and overall the beer was okay but not outstanding. It’s a cool spot, but not my favorite beer in Bellingham.

Gruff is by far my favorite brewery thus far. It has a steampunk, grunge vibe with outdoor seating overlooking the water and industrial bike park. A food truck is always on standby and they welcome outdoor food. I have yet to get a bad, or even meh beer there. The Trashbird IPA is a must if you enjoy hazy IPAs. With picnic table style outdoor seating and strings of lights and firepits all over, this is the spot for an afternoon of studying, or, after the sun sets, cozying up by a fire with the homies. The tenders are typically very responsive, although never unfriendly, one tender is unusually terse. They often rotate their selection but have several mainstays. Usually about 15 beers to choose from as well as guest taps.

 

 

Really cool space, though a bit difficult to find at first as it is tucked down an alley way. Very open and window lined seating and taproom that was simple and pleasant. Beers offered were of a wide range from ECIPA to cream ale to a lager. Beers themselves were decent, need a bit more dialed in but if they keep working on them they will do some good. Servers were nice and attentive. Has a modest outdoor seating over looking some of the bay.

 

Bellingham's newest brewery opened two weeks ago. Still a work in progress, as there is still work on the taproom and patio. Despite that, it's cozy spot with a solid view over Bellingham Bay. A dozen-ish taps, with a nice variety of styles. Beers are pretty solid and enjoyable so far. Owners are friendly and chill. A worthy stop on any Bellingham beer Tour.