Learn more about how Downtime Taps came to be!
Background
It’s no secret that over the past decade Bellingham has become a craft brew Mecca in the Pacific Northwest. That being said, folks in outlying areas of Whatcom County have had to make the drive into Bellingham to gain a full appreciation for all this area has to offer. That stops now! DownTime Taps opened its doors in July of 2018 and began offering folks in Ferndale and beyond a unique opportunity to not only sample a variety of local beers, wines and ciders, but the ability to do it on their own terms.
Co-owners, Chay Tan and Tomas Aminnie have put a different twist on the already successful definition of a what it means to be a taphouse. DownTime represents the first self-serve establishment in Washington State and truly allows the consumer to dictate the brewery, type and amount of beverage they prefer. With 32 taps and a passion for supporting the remarkable amount of local brewing talent present in the Northwest, Chay and Tomas have created a taphouse for the masses.
The number of taps we have allows us to constantly evolve and listen to the preferences of our customers. Combined with the ability for our patrons to literally pour their own beer, wine and cider, our goal is to create an environment built on the capturing all of the best regional options there are to offer.
Groundbreaking
Over the past year and a half, Chay and Tomas have worked collaboratively with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board to make the self-serve option a reality in our state. They are at the forefront of this progression and have directly assisted in the development of the responsible regulations associated with making this a safe and appealing option in Washington.
Once your ID has been verified and your bracelet is provided, the itemized LCD screens above each tap will allow you to review the descriptions and specific characteristics associated with each beverage. A quick scan of your bracelet will then allow you to pour from 1oz. to a full pint of any tap you choose. Everything is priced by the ounce which gives you the flexibility to drink as much or as little of any given option as you prefer. The revolutionary iPourIt system utilized at DownTime is calibrated to assist the customer with the pouring process and ensures that your drinking experience will be consistent with traditional expectations.
When you combine this experience with the atmosphere at DownTime, it truly creates a new taphouse experience. An expansive and cozy indoor area combined with heated outdoor seating gives you options for all conditions. Order-in food from one of the many local restaurants and relax! We’re confident that you’ll enjoy your experience but also hopeful that you’ll provide any constructive feedback related to how we can make our environment even better. We acknowledge that being groundbreaking has its cost and we will always strive to be receptive to your feedback. Welcome to Whatcom County’s taproom, DownTime Taps.
