Victor Panichkul

Statesman Journal

Santiam Brewing is adding space to its taproom and working to double its brewing capacity, co-owner and company treasurer Jim Smiley said.

The brewery has filed an application with the OLCC to extend its premises into a space that was vacant next door. The 1,000-square-foot space is being divided in half, with 500 square feet of space being added on to its taproom and the remainder being added on to the brewhouse.

The additional space will allow for seating for 30 more patrons in hand-made bench and table seating and round lounge cafe-style tables that were built by the owners of the brewery from salvaged lumber. "The benches are cedar, and the bench tables are Oregon coastal redwood, and the round lounge tables are black walnut," Smiley said. There will be six booths with bench-style seating and four round tables."

The space is draped off right now from the rest of the taproom with a plastic barrier as workers finish painting walls and add trim. In the wall that separates the taproom addition from the brewhouse, large windows will give patrons a view of the stainless-steel tanks and other brewing equipment and a glimpse at the work that goes into making beer.

Smiley said the brewery also has worked with its next-door neighbor, Black Sheep Catering, to revamp the food menu and add some signature dishes available only to the brewery's patrons such as hush puppies and smoked chicken wings. Menus will be on display at tables, and patrons can call Black Sheep with their order, then a server will deliver their food to them and take their payment.

Santiam Brewing a dream come true for former New Yorker

The brewery's license application with OLCC will allow patrons to bring children to Santiam as long as they remain in the newly added space and not enter the main taproom.

The brewery is planning a grand opening for the new space on May 30.

The space being added to the brewhouse will allow the brewery to add tanks and double its brewing capacity from its current 200 barrels per month, he said.

Smiley said the brewery also is considering extending the hours that the taproom is open on Sundays. Food from Black Sheep will be available now on Sundays.

Santiam Brewing

Address: 2544 19th St. SE

Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 2 to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Phone: 503-689-1260

Core beers: Spitfire Amber, Burton Strong, Sgt. Cutter’s English IPA, Pirate Stout, Sangre De Cristo Imperial Stout, Prince Charlie’s Scottish Wee-Heavy, Abbey Porter, Stonehenge IPA, 1859 Maibock, Power Cow, Bramble On, Coal Porter, Vlaams Rode, Zommerbier

Food: Available from Black Sheep Catering next door, call to order, delivered to you in Santiam tasting room

Website: santiambrewing.com

Rock the Cask Bar

What: Santiam Brewing's fourth anniversary party and Cask Ale Festival, featuring at least 20 different cask ales, including casks from guests breweries such as Brewer's Union Local 180, Salem Ale Works, Vagabond Brewing and Wandering Aengus Ciderworks

Special releases: Cymru Welsh-Style Strong Ale, Diabolus Belgian-Style Tripel, Bloody Hell!!! Double NW IPA with Blood Orange and Grapefruit, Daydream Tropical IPA with Pineapple and Passion Fruit, Venti's Hoppycock NW IPA, Lacey Lady Session NW IPA, Bramble On Raspberry Pale, 1859 German-style Maibock aged in wine barrels and Infiltrator Bohemian-style Pilsner

When: Noon to 10 p.m. July 9

Cost: $15 in advance at santiambrewing.com or $20 at the door; $5 growler fills from the gravity-poured casks from 9 p.m. to close

Tap into Salem's brewery culture