The only way to reclaim a historic building and do justice by its name is to fill its once lively inner workings with something just as historic. It isn’t an easy task or an expected one. Usually property is bought up, torn down and something new erected in its place. But Jack Lamb, owner and CEO of Aslan Brewing Company, saw a different path for Bellingham’s Union Depot Building, one that allowed him to blend both past and present.
The Aslan Depot is Lamb’s homage to history and a new take on what his company is known for: beer. The Depot takes the staple of the Aslan brand and places it back into the spotlight. No gimmicks, no tricks, just high-quality craft beer enjoyed the way it should be.
Built in 1916, The Union Depot Building once serviced the Bellingham community as its public station for motor buses and electric cars. Fast-forward to present day, the Aslan Depot services the Bellingham community in a completely different way: a taproom with an emphasis on unique barrel-aged beers.
Converting the space from former bus depot to a tavern was a process. Offices and other businesses occupied the space before Lamb bought the property, so he wasn’t starting directly from square one, but many renovations were needed.
Lamb wanted to take his time creating the proper aesthetic before he opened to the public. He spent the past year traveling to Canada, Oregon, Seattle and even locations east of the Cascade Mountains to collect period furniture pieces to fill the space. From couches to barstools, much of the furniture in the Aslan Depot is 100 years old.
One can’t help but recall the bar from the Stanley Hotel in “The Shining” when entering the Aslan Depot for the first time. Although there is one major difference between Jack Nicholson’s favorite watering hole and Bellingham’s newest tavern: the drink of choice. Even though it may feel like an old-time cocktail bar, the beer-filled barrels lining the wall assure you that great brews are the establishment’s focus.
The idea for The Depot came from a desire to celebrate what Lamb and his co-owners got into business for: brewing great beer and sharing that beer with those who love to drink it.
“There’s kind of an identity crisis that happens when you are beer nerds but establish a successful restaurant,” Lamb says. “No way would I ever want to change what we have going on up at the brewery and restaurant – because it’s such an awesome thing – but being known as a good restaurant and philanthropic brew pub doesn’t mean you also get to be considered world-class brewers.”
Aslan needed a spot to showcase their skill with the finer aspects. Lamb wanted people to see that the name Aslan wasn’t just synonymous with fantastic happy hour tacos, but that they also know beer – and how to make a truly great beer at that. Aslan knows how to utilize mixed fermentation and barrel-aging techniques. Aslan is quality beer made with unique brewing methods.
“I don’t need it to happen overnight, but people need to know we are in the same league as other breweries out there making great beers,” Lamb says. “I want people to find The Depot themselves via word of mouth. I want word to travel and have people learn about it in that organic way, to know this is a place to come drink great beer and converse about it.”
At the end of the day it isn’t just about Aslan’s beer, it’s about having a location where you can access some of the finest beer that doesn’t exist at local bars. In addition to filling nine of their 18 taps with Aslan beers exclusive to The Depot location, the other nine taps are rotating guest taps. Many big name breweries make the list, such as Omnipollo, Evil Twin, Boneyard and Fremont. And beer isn’t the only thing on the menu here. The Depot also features a vast selection of high-quality wine and ciders.
The Aslan Depot
1322 N State St.
Bellingham
