In case you missed last week’s article, this is a new series on the Tap Trail where we introduce you to all the fantastic head brewers behind all the delicious beer in our town.
This week, we highlight Tom Eastwood of Kulshan Brewing.
Kulshan changed the game in when they opened their doors in 2012. Since then, they have led the way for new breweries to come in and innovate the Bellingham beer scene. Now, with the opening of their second location on Kentucky St., Kulshan has been meeting their distribution demands for the first time in since their existence. K2 has allowed them the space and ability to can their winter ale Kitten Mittens and their legendary Bastard Kat IPA for anyone in Bellingham to enjoy. With a second location handling a lot of the grunt work, the original location on James St. is allowing Kulshan to start brewing some new recipes which, hopefully, the public will get to taste in the next few months.
It’s clear, Kulshan is a force to be reckoned with in the Bellingham community.
Tap Trail: How did you first get into brewing?
Tom Eastwood: My Brother started brewing at home and taught me what a quality beer was. I started brewing years later and couldn’t stop. I love the combination of art, history, chemistry, biology, and society.
How do you think Kulshan fits into the Bellingham Beer Community?
We strive to provide a quality product that can be enjoyed at the brewery, at your favorite restaurant or bar, or wherever one would like with our growlers and cans. We like to get outside and enjoy the surrounding beauty Bellingham has to offer, and so our beer was born with the goal to travel and be a enjoyed wherever you are. Kulshan pairs well with Bellingham and I think the community agrees.
If you could choose only one Kulshan brew to drink for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dry Stout
When you aren’t drinking at Kulshan, where could we find you grabbing a pint?
Ye Olde Village Inn or Uisce
Tom showing his love of Kitten Mittens.
Give each Bellingham brewery a class superlative.
I tweaked it slightly to Comic book characters:
Boundary Bay: The Hulk
Aslan: Poisin Ivy
Wander: Cat Women
Chuckanut: Thor
Kulshan: Wolverine
Menace: Iron Man
Stones Throw: Dare Devil
North Fork: Batman
Some of these I can see, but why would you say Kulshan’s Wolverine?
It’s always the hardest to nail down something for yourself, and I’ve always had chops so it works.
If you could grab a drink with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
Tom Waits
Tell us your favorite memory since brewing at Kulshan.
Fresh Hop season, every year a few of us travel from farm to farm looking for hops we’re after. Riding in the back of truck, quality tacos, and corn hole. Doesn’t get much better.
What do you love about Bellingham?
Great place to raise a family, biking, disc golf at Cornwall, lush golf courses, fishing, appropriate climate for air-cooled VW’s, Mt. Baker – hiking and skiing, subdued excitement…
And finally: Tell us a secret.
Most of my dancing skills are inspired by the Caddyshack gopher.
