May 6, 2025

WoodGrain Brewing Co. arrives on the east side of Sioux Falls this week.

The downtown brewery and taproom will open its second location at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the building that used to be Obscure Brewing Co. at 5200 E. Grant St., a block north of Arrowhead Parkway along Foss Avenue.

To start, there will be 13 WoodGrain beers on tap, with two more added next week. Once the business is cleared through the city to sell other malt beverages and wine, the beverage menu will expand. That’s expected later this month.

The space has been renovated extensively since Obscure closed at the end of 2024.

“It’s welcoming, it’s warm, it’s got dark walls with light wood accents and a lot of plants,” owner Steve Hartman said.

There’s all-new furniture, including on the patio, where eventually some shade structures will be added.

The brewery itself will allow WoodGrain to expand production, including offering canned beer.

The food menu will feature sausages from Dakota Craft Links, including a Chicago-style dog, chili cheese dog and Polish sausage, plus appetizers such as chips and salad, beer cheese nachos, pretzels with cheese and egg rolls with homemade sauces.

It also includes “brachos,” which are nachos that include chopped sausage.

“Those are really popular and really good, and we’ll have four kinds of start,” Hartman said.

There’s also a kids’ menu with chicken strips, grilled cheese and a hot dog.

“We’re dog- and family-friendly,” Hartman said.

The kitchen will close an hour before the bar.

WoodGrain is “sitting pretty good” on hiring but might add staff as the expansion gets rolling, he said.

Live music will start May 18 at the downtown location and likely expand to the east side eventually. The neighborhood has responded positively to news of the brewery’s expansion, Hartman said.

“We’ve had a lot of good feedback and people pulling on the doors thinking we’re open,” he said.

Hours will be 3 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday,  11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. A grand-opening celebration likely will be  in June.