On February 28, 2026, Arable Brewing in Eugene, Oregon, closed permanently after its final service, while a fire damaged the production area of Ninkasi Brewing Co. later that evening. No injuries were reported in the fire, which was contained by firefighters. The incidents marked a challenging day for the local craft beer scene.
In Eugene's Whiteaker neighborhood, the craft beer community faced setbacks on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Arable Brewing, a nearly three-year-old operation recognized as a promising new brewery in 2023, announced its permanent closure after serving its last pints that day. The brewery had built a dedicated local following but struggled to expand beyond its core patrons. Owners shared the news on social media, stating: “Dear Eugene, After a lot of long conversations and reflection, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to close Arable for good. This has been more than a business to us. It has been years of pouring our hearts (and a lot of beer) into something we believed in deeply.” They expressed gratitude for the support and memories, noting the closure came without a final farewell opportunity for customers.
Hours later, a structure fire broke out at Ninkasi Brewing Co., Eugene's largest brewery, around 6:24 p.m. at 220 Blair Blvd., near the 200 block of Van Buren Street. The Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded quickly, with Engine No. 2 arriving minutes after the initial dispatch. Firefighters found heavy smoke in the interior near the production area and flames visible through the roof. All occupants were evacuated safely, and no injuries occurred. A second alarm brought additional resources, allowing crews to contain the blaze to the origin while conducting extensive overhaul by cutting into the roof and applying water.
Ninkasi co-founder and brewmaster Jamie Floyd commented: “I don’t have a definitive answer to what happened yet. The roof above a boiler caught on fire. We are assessing how it caught on fire. The boiler had been inspected a couple weeks ago.” The cause remains under investigation. While the tasting room is unaffected, the damage to the roof and boiler raises questions about brewing operations. Ninkasi, part of Great Frontier Holdings since a 2023 merger, produces flagship beers like Total Domination IPA and hosts brands including Ecliptic Brewing, Incline Cider, and San Juan Seltzer.
