Salish Sea sets sail at second location in Edmonds

Many couples get to a certain stage in life where they decide it’s time to buy a boat and explore Puget Sound.

Instead of a boat, Jeff and Erika Barnett invested in a second location for their growing brewery.

They did call it The Boathouse, though.

Salish Sea Brewing recently opened its second location near the Edmonds waterfront at 180 W. Dayton, Suite 102, just down the street from its original downtown location. Having closed the purchase about a year ago, the Barnetts, who have run Salish Sea Brewing for eight years, worked hard to move equipment, and redesign and remodel the taproom prior to opening The Boathouse earlier this month.

“We really wanted a different dynamic from not only what was here before, but from what we offer up the street,” Jeff Barnett said. “The Boathouse will have more of a brewhouse and taproom feel, while our original location will be more like a brewpub with more food options and a family atmosphere.”

With views of the expanded brewhouse, high ceilings and a more industrial feel, The Boathouse is a bit of a departure from Salish Sea’s more intimate location downtown. It’s also been updated from when the previous brewery, American Brewing, was housed in the space.

“We really took some polish to everything and wanted to make it so it didn’t feel like you were in a warehouse with just a bunch of random stuff,” Jeff said.

The Boathouse has a decidedly nautical theme and a connection to its namesake. Jeff and Erika’s collection of buoys hang on a wall, while driftwood art adorns another. Walking in the door, visitors are met by signal flags that spell out “SALISH SEA” hung suspended above seats, and a set of paintings of octopi in a small seating area near the brewery’s kitchen.

“We wanted the brewery to feel like a walk on the beach,” Jeff Barnett said.

Outside the brewery, a large colorful crab, starfish and the words “Salish Sea” in script are painted on the side of a cold storage building, which is connected to the brewery by more signal flags and dozens of strands of LED lights that will eventually illuminate a beer garden when the weather improves.

“We want this to be a comfortable atmosphere out here,” Jeff said of the planned outdoor seating.

In total, Salish Sea’s new location is 4,000 square feet and includes an expanded brewhouse and small kitchen. Jeff said the expanded brewhouse, which includes Salish Sea’s equipment moved down from its original location and the American Brewing equipment Salish Sea purchased as part of the agreement, will be able to produce 50% more beer than before. The brewing team is currently dialing in the brewery’s tried-and-true recipes as it moves from a 10-barrel system to a 7-barrel system.

“The new system will give us more flexibility in our brewing schedule and help us pivot when product supplies change or are delayed,” Jeff said.

As for the kitchen, think small bites, again with a nautical theme. Sardines, smoked salmon flatbread and smoked oysters are all on the menu, along with other finger foods that pair with Salish Sea’s beer lineup.

Unlike its original location, The Boathouse will be scheduling some hours and events that are 21-and-over and cater to a more grown-up beer crowd.

“We’re not a Chuck E. Cheese,” Jeff said with a laugh.

Currently, The Boathouse is open Wednesday through Sunday as the Barnetts work out the kinks of owning two locations, including some staffing issues. A grand opening of the new location is planned for after the holiday season in the new year.

Timber Monster’s last call: After three years of operation, Sultan’s Timber Monster Brewing is closing its doors for good Dec. 6, according to a video that owners Mike and Brandi Varnell posted on Facebook. The brewery will celebrate its final days of operation this weekend, and the owners ask that customers come celebrate with them. The brewpub’s located at 410 Main St., Sultan.

Haywire Brewing celebrates five years: Snohomish’s Haywire Brewing is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a party Dec. 4 at the brewery, 12125 Treosti Road. The brewery will be pouring seven new beers and five barrel-aged Haywire beers to celebrate. There will also be hourly raffle drawings, selfie stations, a decorate your beard competition, a mechanical bull and axe throwing.

Along with the brewery celebration, Westside Natives & Landscaping has set up a tree farm on the same property as the brewery so visitors can purchase a tree, wreath or table-toppers as well.