Finding its footing

Josh Davis photo

After a busy opening weekend, Iron Goat is settling into a new routine at its new home downtown.

The big, brick-walled taproom at 1302 W. Second opened Saturday to crowds of familiar faces from the former location on East Mallon as well as curious newcomers.

“It was a fantastic weekend,” co-owner Heather Brandt says. “The weather was perfect. We were able to open the doors and it was like you were sitting outside.”

The garage-style doors on Second and on Adams will open to sidewalk seating once permits are in place. But even when they’re shut, the industrial-style space is bright and airy from large windows along both streets and the high, open-beam ceiling accented by metal gridwork.

Two long communal tables command the middle of the room, with smaller tables closer to the windows (couches are on the way for one corner). There’s bench seating along the wall to the west, which is adorned with colorful paintings of wild mushrooms by Neicy Frey, who’ll be the featured artist for First Friday in May.

That wall also includes the cutout window, covered for now, where you’ll pick up food orders when the kitchen opens in a couple of weeks. The menu will center around sandwiches, salads and pizza, with vegetarian options.

Once food service starts, hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Until then, the all-ages taproom opens at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon on Saturday and Sunday.

The beer supply also is a work in progress, with 10 of the 26 taps pouring on Monday. The special Lemon Gose collaboration with Everybody’s Brewing blew early in the day, though it’s scheduled for an encore along with several other stockpiled treats for the grand opening party April 29-30.

In the meantime, the spring seasonal Irish Kate imperial red has returned along with familiar favorites from the regular lineup.

The brewery operation (visible through sliding glass doors on either side of the long bar) is almost hooked up, with the first brew – Trashy Blonde, a big mover in draft distribution – scheduled no later than Thursday.