Labrewatory, Now Softly Open on North Russell Street

At "craft beer lab" Labrewatory, owners Thad Fisco (Portland Kettle Works), Chris Sears, Patrick Walsh, and Joe Watzig invite local, regional and international brewers to turn experimental beer ideas into actual product.

According to Fisco, its small four-barrel system allows brewers used to running large-scale operations to toy and tinker with recipes while perfecting them, while at the same time cutting out all of the waste that happens when large-scale brewers experiment on their own equipment.

Labrewatory also doubles as a 50-seat tasting room, and provides a forum for instant feedback when guests belly up to taste what's pouring from any of the bar's 16 taps on any given day. The brewers, for their efforts will take home six kegs, leaving Labrewatory two to offer as samplers. Expect the first experimental brews to be unveiled in November.

As they await their experimental brews, the folks at Labrewatory are pouring beers from BTU Brasserie (Rusty's Red), Upright Brewing (Seven Saison) and Pfriem (Blonde IPA), among others.

As far as snacks go, Fisco says it's likely that Jaime Soltero, Jr.'s Tamale Boy, which is setting up a commissary kitchen right next door, will be providing all the eats.

Labrewatory: 664 NE Russell St., 971.271.8151; Hours: 3 to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays