A bit of Whidbey serendipity created a new Freeland tap room, and word is spreading about the combination of excellent craft brews and a spectacular view from a hilltop in Freeland.
Before retiring from his medical practice in 1999, Dr. Steve Shapiro was often referred to as the “hippy doctor of Langley.” As a transition from their medical careers, Steve and his wife, Debora Valis, opened Island Athletic Club (IAC) on a 4-1/2 acres site in Freeland in 1996. In 2014, they purchased an additional 10 acres behind the Athletic Club to accommodate a larger septic system for future expansion.
Marc and Mitch Aparicio had already opened The Penn Cove Tap Room in Coupeville, built a adjacent 10-barrel brewery, and added a Tap Room in Oak Harbor in 2019. They wanted to have a place in Freeland, as well. When Marc asked about possible locations in Freeland, Steve suggested repurposing the 1890’s barn on the property adjacent to IAC. The new Freeland branch of the Penn Cove Tap Room and Beer Garden is the result of a collaboration among Marc, Mitch, Steve and Debora, plus Jon and Jay Roberts of Cascade Custom Homes.
The Penn Cove Tap Rooms all share a common vision: “It’s a place where you go to be with friends.” The Aparicio brothers note that people enjoy coming to the Freeland Tap Room with friends, kids and dogs and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and lovely views. The terraced beer garden is a showplace for specimen trees including a horse chestnut, English walnut, catulpa, and other heirloom trees.
The Tap Room opened Memorial Day Weekend 2021. The 20 taps include 10 or more craft brews as well as hard seltzers and hard ciders. Penn Cove Tap Room offers occasional specialty brews made with blueberries and strawberries. To complement the variety of beverages, Gordon Stewart, owner of Gordon’s Restaurant in Freeland, has opened a food truck offering a menu created by Gordon. The food truck – “Reasonably Gordon’s” – is currently open Wednesday through Sunday.
The Penn Cove Freeland Tap Room is open seven days a week. Sunday through Thursday, it is open 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. For more details about events and brews being served at the Freeland Tap Room, visit the website: www.pencovebrewing.com.
