Bellingham Brewery Tries to Court the Hard Seltzer Crowd with Fruit-Flavored Beer

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Bellingham Brewery Tries to Court the Hard Seltzer Kids with Fruit-Flavored Rice Beer

The hard seltzer summer has lasted all through winter, and one Bellingham, Washington-based beer maker wants to capitalize. Kulshan Brewing Company just announced a series of low calorie, low carb bubbly offerings in flavors such as peach, mango, pomegranate, pineapple, and grapefruit that will be available on draft and in cans throughout the year, an extension of its blackberry Apero beer, which was released in 2019. According to a press release, the beverage is brewed with “a significant amount of rice” to lower the gluten, and the calories clock in at around 100, with an ABV of 4.5% (for comparison, White Claw is around 5%). “It’s like a spiked seltzer, but better,” said head brewer Wesley Finger in a statement. So … still beer. Each new Apero entry will be available for a limited time in the Kulshan taprooms and select stores around the North Sound.

Ethan Stowell’s Tavolata Gets Closer to Opening Third Location

Fans of restaurateur Ethan Stowell’s Italian restaurant Tavolata take note. Construction is almost finished for the mini chain’s third location, which will be at the new 2+U development Downtown between First and Second Avenue, with a planned opening for spring. The 1,500 square foot restaurant will have a reclaimed wood bar, a communal table that will seat up to 12, and a separate room that can be reserved for private parties, as well as an outdoor patio under a trellis with heaters. Though the menu hasn’t been revealed, it should be similar to the Belltown original, with handmade pastas, vegetables, and a few main entrees, complemented by Pacific Northwest and Italian wines and a seasonal cocktail list. Eventually, there will be a fourth Tavolata in the Wallingford space formerly occupied by Super Bueno.

Panera Bread’s Only Seattle Location Will Close By the End of the Month

Looks like it’s the end of an era for one fast-casual chain in the city. Panera Bread’s Capitol Hill outpost on Broadway has a sign outside announcing its closure at the end of the month after ten years at that location, per Capitol Hill Seattle. It was the only Panera remaining in Seattle proper, which means those who crave the chain’s sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls will have to trek out to the many locations outside the city limits, whether in Bellevue, Shoreline, or Renton. No word yet on what will take over the space, although CHS reports that the landlord for the building has lined up a new tenant and it will likely not be a restaurant.