Beer & Kids: Where's Your Line?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Boosully, Sep 27, 2015.

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  1. JimmyGuy

    JimmyGuy Initiate (0) Nov 17, 2014 New York

    Let me know how I can find all these affordable and reliable babysitters. Reputable baby sitters in my Queens neighborhood are $15/hour and up. You usually have to book them for 3 hours+. Not exactly inexpensive.
     
  2. followerofmen

    followerofmen Crusader (417) Sep 9, 2012 Massachusetts

    Are we all just ignoring this judgemental prick? Jesus, man. I'm sorry if something negative happened to you or your family because of drunk driving, but I don't think it's reasonable or logical to presume that every person at the restaurant who just had a glass of wine with dinner is going to crash into a tree on the way home.
     
  3. gopens44

    gopens44 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,436) Aug 9, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Ya, I was probably pretty heavy on the response but in my defense, I'm super sensitive to being in a really religious environment. I'm sure that there's far more positive about western Michigan than negative for 99% of people. They've really chilled out over the past 15 years too. I'd like to believe that beer has something to do with that as well! In any case, hopefully I didn't offend too much!
     
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  4. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,677) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    What is a 21+ establishment? A biker bar, a road house, a general den of iniquity? That you say that cannot "stand" kids says quite a bit. I can honestly say that children make life worthwhile.
     
  5. PoppinTaps

    PoppinTaps Initiate (0) Sep 17, 2015 Texas

    I would agree with most others in the fact that many breweries now cater to the family with events, food trucks, outdoor games/activities, etc., and not just the individual beer-drinker. In this setting, one could assume having children present would be encouraged, right? A local brewery here in my hometown just opened about a month ago, and they had a MASSIVE turn out as they advertised their opening and 'fun for the whole family.'

    As always though, I would agree there's a 'time and a place.'

    Now, it is NOT my intent to turn this into anything 'religious,' but I can only speak from my personal experiences. I grew up in church and faith is still a very large part of my life, volunteering at church and spending lots of time there. That being said, I also know the attitude that many share concerning alcohol consumption.

    Growing up, it was taboo. It was often taught and imposed-upon that the ONLY reason you'd drink beer was to get drunk, and this ideology is very prevalent among many 'religious' (Christian) folks where their judgments are rooted in these assumptions. (That guy exposes his girls to that sin?!)

    Y'all, at 27 years old I have drank more the past 2-3 years of my life than I have in its entirety, never for the purpose of getting drunk, but for the appreciation of the craft and you better believe that's what I'll be teaching my kids as well. Beer can both be enjoyed and enjoyed responsibly.

    I also take my son with me to the local bottle shop, where the employees have ALWAYS been courteous and my son knows he is never allowed to leave my side.

    Just my $.02 :slight_smile:
     
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  6. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (1,912) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I definitely get there are places where kids are not and should not be welcome, but breweries are not on that list, cos most of the stuff that happens in them aside from the doctorate levels for cursing and general vulgarity is stuff they might really dig.
     
  7. floridadrift

    floridadrift Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2014 Florida

    I have no problem with kids anywhere as long as their parents pick them up by the legs and beat them when they are misbehaving. Parents are usually too nonchalant about their sh t head kids running amok. One good embarrassing smack used to do it to me. After that, I was back to normal. Breweries aren't too bad, I actually very rarely see any children older than one or two at FL breweries. The parents are usually holding them or they're clutched to a leg, standing in line.
     
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  8. xanok

    xanok Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2009 Connecticut

    If you're at a brewpub where you can sit down and order food, I see no reason why kids shouldn't be allowed if they are well-behaved.

    If you're at a brewery and all they serve is pints of beer(no food, etc) your kids have no business being there.
     
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  9. Chief005

    Chief005 Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2013 Florida

    Next time you catch someone eyeballing you, give them a wink and a "Don't worry, the kids don't get anything over 5%." Or maybe a, "Hey kids, what are we drinking tonight?" Then look Judgmental Judy right in the eye and go "they're lightweights, I usually have to cut em off after three."
     
  10. NickTheGreat

    NickTheGreat Maven (1,336) Oct 28, 2010 Iowa
    Society Trader

    I thought that was the point of kids . . .DD's

    Mine is only 4 months old, but she can almost sit up. Soon . . .
     
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  11. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,282) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    In WA, kids can't be in the "bar area" as per our LCB. Often all that separates the bar area from the dining area, is a railing 40 inches (IIRC) high. One local place (bar/restaurant) has 40 inch tall stand-up tables running down the middle of their room. Kids on one side, bar on the other. The main thing I personally don't like about kids in these scenarios is the noise. Kids make noise, often high pitched, screechy noises. That's my fingernails on the chalkboard sound.

    When possible, places tend to have a separate dining room that's all ages, and the bar area that's 21+. It seems to work well enough most of the time. Some places make the choice to be 21+, others try to please both groups. There is no one, single right or wrong way to approach it, from a business point of view, local laws allowing.
     
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  12. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,282) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
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    This. So many this's. I've seen so many people with no compunction about just plopping their spawn on the table, the one they're about to eat at, and swap out the nasty nappies. These folks must have had terrible parents.
     
  13. gmoneyproductions

    gmoneyproductions Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2015 Colorado

    i have to drink at least 10 beers to even deal with my daughter....
    then again she is 20 failed out of college and lives with a pot dealer who is 9 years older......
    .....just sayin
     
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  14. JArt

    JArt Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2013 Pennsylvania

    ^^^THIS^^^I really couldn't care less where parents decide to take their kids, i.e. restaurants, grocery stores, banks, bars, etc., as long as they are not disruptive and unruly. If your child cannot behave, then it is on you as the parent to either rectify their behavior or leave them at home. In other words, don't ruin everyone else's day because you cannot control your child but still insist on taking them out into the public regardless.
    For my husband and myself (childless by choice), craft beer is our joint hobby, and breweries are our place to go to relax and unwind. The last thing I want to deal with after a long, stressful day of work is a screaming child running laps around the bar, thus why I do not have children myself. It seems that people are more conscientious today of how their dogs behave rather than, their children.
     
  15. PSU_Mike

    PSU_Mike Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I think if anything, exposing children to beer as a quality adult beverage as opposed to a tool to get you shitfaced is certainly a positive.
     
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  16. mwa423

    mwa423 Initiate (0) Nov 7, 2007 Ohio

    I have an interesting real life example of the unfortunate intersection of kids and beer. I work for a brewery doing pricing and sales analytics and have a pretty interesting explanation that I came up for my job to explain to people on the street. A teacher friend of mine has asked me to come in to career day and give a presentation on the importance of math skills and such based on that explanation (though she did tell me that the word "motherfucking" could not be part of the presentation).

    The problem I have is that my boss has said there's no way she's going to approve me, as somebody who works with alcohol for a living, to present with kids. I see the appearance issue (guy who works for a brewery presenting to children), but at the same time, since I don't plan on using beer as my example or really mentioning who I work for, why does it matter?
     
  17. gmoneyproductions

    gmoneyproductions Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2015 Colorado

    i dont think it matters at all and math skills are largely lost on kids these days
     
  18. ceanderson

    ceanderson Initiate (0) May 9, 2009 Minnesota

    I don't understand. Does your boss have the specific issue with you, or anyone who works with alchohol? Won't be much of a presentation if NO ONE can give the presentation since everyone who works at the brewery works with alchohol.:confused:
     
  19. Wiffler27

    Wiffler27 Pooh-Bah (2,018) Aug 16, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Society

    i don't have kids so i'm coming from a different perspective.

    i don't judge people in the liquor store or beer shops who bring their children. and there is nothing wrong with showing kids/teens that drinking casually is totally fine. countries that allow younger ages to drink alcohol have lower instances of binge drinking than countries like the US that make you wait until you're 21.

    if anything, it makes more sense that people with kids have to drink! just kidding! (well kinda)

    i've been to breweries where people bring their kids and i think it's cool because breweries are definitely unique places and offer learning experiences. BUT i don't like being at a brewery (or liquor store/bottle shop) where kids are screaming, crying, yelling, etc. it's distracting and plain annoying, but i blame the parents more than the young kids.

    and in the wise words of South Park:
    ""Tolerate" means you're just putting up with it! You tolerate a crying child sitting next to you on the airplane, or you tolerate a bad cold. It can still piss you off! Jesus Tapdancing Christ!"
     
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  20. glass_house

    glass_house Initiate (0) Jan 10, 2014 Ohio

    I generally don't care what people think, so I never give a second thought if I feel like stopping in the bottle shop with my 2-year-old. However, at home I tend to over-analyze my habits and the impressions I'm giving him. I'm generally a 1 or 2 beer, 4 or 5 nights a week kind of guy. Nothing excessive, but I sometimes find myself making an effort to not overtly show how much I enjoy that tasty beverage. Just last week he walked up to the coffee table, placed his nose over my freshly poured Sucks and took several enthusiastic sniffs with a focused look on his face. I can't lie, it was a proud moment. But I immediately felt a little guilt that I may be setting a bad example. I'd certainly never consider letting him have a taste at that age, but I do stuggle sometimes with how much exposure might be too much. In the end I think the most important thing is that you, as a parent, set a good example of how alcohol can be responsibly enjoyed while stressing the fact that its an activity best enjoyed in moderation.
     
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