You know how it goes, one person tells everybody about the party and then it’s more than just a Soft Opening. Well, that was this past weekend for Arable Brewing, which has been teasing us for years and finally let us in with a lively taplist, local taproom vibes, and a damn good pils. Owners Chris Archer and Cam and Amy Wells didn’t seem too upset about the immediate influx of business.

About the beer: it’s good. New breweries and restaurants should always get a grace period; those first batches are an icebreaker between brewer and equipment. In Arable’s case, we all benefit from the combined experience of Archer, the longtime Ninkasi brewer, and Cam, the tradesman (also ex-Ninkasi). As mentioned, the Lazy River Days Pilsner (batch 2), with its clear gold hue, tight bubbles, and bright, herbal hops vying for top banana with your favorite Uncle Malt is your best indication that these folks aren’t messing around.

The first batch brewed at Arable, On and On Saison, is a lovely tribute to the style with citrus, pepper, and melon aromatics on a rustic grainy base. The other three on tap at the moment are of the IPA variety – a west coast, hazy, and double.

It Was a Good Day (West Coast) and Smooth Criminal (Double) do something unusual and ultimately pleasing: they don’t kill you with hops, and, because now you’re thinking “are they English-style?”, no. Go try them. This is the Haze, which already has an heir in the brite tank, is a comfortable and very drinkable version of the style, with fruit candy hop aroma and soft, well fermented malt.

When I arrived, toward the end of the second day of the weekend, there was still a decent crowd, some couples and groups settling into the indoor-outdoor situation, some kids bopping around, but there’s space for that right now. It’s a basic open scenario, and the east-facing entrance is perfect for having the garage door open in the afternoon.

I like the deeper yellow/gray color motif, and that the Arable name (yeah, we know it’s not on a farm), inscribed over the entry to the brewery, reminds us that beer is a very direct product of the land.

One change from the original plan for the taproom is that beer is served from that entryway to the brewery. Originally, it was going to be attached to a walk-in cooler closer to the entrance, but permitting issues dictated otherwise. The effect, though, is that you get to look at the brewery as you’re ordering beer, and can casually gaze at the action at the bar (i.e. scope the line) from wherever you are sitting.

For now, the hours are 2-9pm Thursday-Sunday. Outside food is welcome; tables are labeled with the address for delivery. Conger St. is nice and wide, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see regular food truck action there shortly.

Access is easy, and street parking is ample. 510 Conger St. is close-in West Eugene. Coming from 99, take the 5th Ave. turnoff to the left, and then turn left at the road whose sign is blocked by a large tree. From W. 11th, simply turn right on Conger. Bike parking will be installed soon; there is an accessible fence to secure your ride.