A band’s first album is often the most spirited, daring undertaking they’ll undertake. They have to make it work, so they put everything they have into it.

The same is true of a young brewery. Everything thing they do has to make an impact; there is no room for errors. If they’re lucky, the right mix of creativity, knowledge and hard work will create a community of loyal followers. Aslan Brewing Co. is only a few years old, and has a hit in the making.

They started with “…a commitment to organic ingredients, locally sourced goods, and low-impact practices…we aimed to offer the community something new and refreshing, the sustainable way.” They brewed over 130 pilot batches, opened their doors, and guess what? The people came.

We caught up with them online to dig a little deeper, and here’s what we learned about the fine folks at Aslan Brewing Co.

Tell us a little about your brewery, the types of beers that you brew, and what you feel makes your brewery unique.

Aslan Brewing Company is a sustainable microbrewery and restaurant in Bellingham, Washington. Every last drop of beer we produce is USDA Certified Organic. As a Certified B Corporation, Aslan is committed to pushing the boundaries of craft beer while preserving the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit.

What is your most popular/flagship beer? What makes it great?

Our Batch 15 IPA, one of our flagship styles, is among our most popular beers. This hazy, juicy IPA is hopped heavily with Citra and Simcoe, then paired with choice American wheat and two-row barley. Intentionally unfiltered to spotlight the rawness of organic hops, this IPA is less bitter but more flavorful and balanced than most West Coast versions. It’s available in cans, too, making it perfectly portable for camping.

We love hearing stories about how breweries got their start. What’s the history behind yours?

Aslan started as a conversation over a pint of beer at a local Bellingham pub between three of our owners: Frank Trosset, Pat Haynes, and Jack Lamb. With a commitment to organic ingredients, locally sourced goods, and low-impact practices, we aimed to offer the community something new and refreshing, the sustainable way. At our pilot brewery in downtown Bellingham, we brewed over 130 original pilot batches, connected with local brewers and beer lovers alike, and designed a business plan catered to craft quality and creativity.

Our next step was to build a brewpub. In the final days of Summer 2013, plans and permits in hand, we began our nine-month journey into construction that was done primarily by our owners: Pat, Jack, and brothers Frank and Boe, with the invaluable help of Frank and Boe’s dad, Don Trosset. Fast forward to today, and we are four great friends who have together manifested our dream of owning and operating an organic brewery. We are proud and fortunate to be working with many of our close friends and to be part of the amazing community that is Bellingham. As for “ASLAN”: a lion is the King of the Jungle, a regal figure rooted in nature, and aslan is the Turkish word for lion. This aligned our desire to operate a world-class brewery all while preserving the raw and exotic elements of the world.

We love meeting people who share our passion for the outdoors. Tell us a bit about the folks involved with your brewery, and what they enjoying doing outdoors.

When the owners and employees of Aslan are not working, you will probably find us outdoors. That’s a big reason why all of us live in Bellingham! Hiking, swimming, skiing and snowboarding, road and mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and all other adventuring are just a short drive (or bike) away. With over 75 employees, we find a way to bridge just about every outdoor sport accessible in our area, even paragliding and white water rafting.

What’s the best experience you’ve had in the great outdoors?

The best outdoor experiences had in our area has to be somewhere on Mt. Baker or the Chuckanuts. There’s nothing more thrilling then skiing with a dozen friends at one of the world’s most powder-heavy mountains, right in our back yard. Closer still are the Chuckanuts, where world-class hikes offer views of the San Juan Islands and old-growth forests. It’s not out of the ordinary for us to ski in the morning and meet at the beach for a bonfire for sunset, with a can of Aslan Brew of course!

Is your beer available in cans?

Yes! Both our Batch 15 IPA and our Dawn Patrol Pacific Ale are available in cans. 

Where can we find your beer?

You can find our beer in grocery stores and taprooms around throughout western Washington. Check out our beer finder to see where we’re available in your area: aslanbrewing.com/beerfinder

If people want more info about your brewery, where can they go?

Find us online at aslanbrewing.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.