Ratchet Brewery Silverton quiet opening in time for Mount Angel Oktoberfest

It's not a full opening, and especially not a grand one, but this weekend Ratchet Brewery co-owners Dan Miletta and William Mary will quietly welcome the first guests to their new space in Silverton.

Coinciding with the nearby Mt. Angel's annual Oktoberfest weekend, they're inviting visitors in for a preview of the brewery. 

Ratchet Brewery Silverton is located at 990 North First Street in the space that, for eight years, was home to Seven Brides Brewing. 

From 3 until 9 p.m. Thursday, September 12 through Sunday, September 15, visitors can check out the newly revamped space.

For the time being, Ratchet Brewery Silverton will be closed on Mondays. Operating hours for the coming weeks have not been set. 

Mount Angel Oktoberfest:Things to do, what to eat and where to park

To drink

Adding the Silverton space represents a tremendous jump in brewing capacity from a half-barrel system in Salem brewing 15 gallons of beer at a time, to a 15-barrel system brewing 400-plus gallons at a time. Miletta and Mary are brewing in the new space, but their 20-tap bar is still in need of finishing touches. 

During this weekend's preview they'll be pouring from six-tap kegerator: Shaker Imperial pale ale, Moto Floozy blonde ale, Get Your Shit Together amber, Deuce Coupe IPA and Long Ryed rye IPA. They'll have a new brew, an Amarillo hopped pale ale, and kombucha and Bauman's Cider.

Past coverage:Ratchet opening second brewery, taphouse at Seven Brides space 

To eat

In the early days, the Silverton brewery will function as a taproom, essentially mirroring operations of their existing brewery at 2701 22nd Street SE in Salem. They plan to eventually develop a menu to operate as a brewpub. 

For now, they'll be hosting food trucks on what they hope will be a daily basis. 

Kicking things off for Oktoberfest weekend is Kenny's Kitchen, which will be offering a southern barbecue menu of ribs, smoked chicken, and pork loin with potato salad, baked beans and collard greens.  

More:Salem things to do: Urban arts fest, tattoo sale and more in the area

The space

Miletta and Mary, assisted by an army of friends, have revamped the former Seven Brides space in their own style. The room is now painted gray and red, with corrugated metal accents. Pendant lights made from license plates hang in the dining area. The lights over the bar are hubcaps. 

They've added additional outdoor seating and are in the process of converting a former office to a lounge. Further changes are still in the works but, said Miletta, it was "key to be open in time for Oktoberfest."

Emily Teel is the Food & Drink Editor at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at eteel@statesmanjournal.com, or via Facebook or Twitter. See what she's cooking and where she's eating this week on Instagram: @emily_teel

Where: 990 North First Street 

When: Thursday, September 12 through Sunday, September 15, 3 until 9 p.m.

Information: Ratchet Brewery Silverton (Facebook)