Bringing beers to breweries while traveling

this varies a lot from brewery to brewery. usually the smaller ones enjoy it and the larger ones dont really go for it from my experience.

 

I'd agree with @fishmich, really depends on the brewery. Some places would find it cool, some places would find it really annoying, a couple might even kick you out. If you're asking specifically about Cigar City, hopefully someone here can answer. But I wouldn't translate that to any other brewery as its going to be case-by-case.

At the worst you can bring it with you in a bag or something and ask when you're there. Seems a shame to bring beer all the way with you though and end up not drinking it.

 

Cigar city is generally very cool about sharing in the tap room. It is a regular occurrence, and the bartenders would probably be happy to try whatever you're bringing.

 

There is a thread in the south atlantic forum that mentions this. They have a share there every tuesday when they do their special growler release. I will be there next week for vacation and I plan on going.

Most people hit it on the head for other breweries. It seems like smaller breweries dont mind if you just share with the people working. Also, if they are busy, its not a great idea.

 

A friend and I opened a bottle at Cycle and included a glass with he bartender. We got permission ahead of time.

 

Took a Peche N Brett to Hill Farmstead last week, employees said they could not partake, I think one of the employees asked Sean, I still have the bottle with me -_-

 

I think it would depend on the specific brewery, like others have mentioned. If it was me working there, I would be good as love as you shared. Especially if you brought prop

 

A lot could depend on local laws. For some areas it is illegal to drink as a server.

 

I would bring it in the car/bag, and strike up convo with the staff there. "I bought some beer from Chicago, it's called Proprietor's. Any interest in trying some?" and see where that goes.

 

@teddyarrowhead wrote the playbook on this.

 

I would imagine buying food, beers and tipping will cover just about any issues you might run into.

if you show up, dont buy anything and drink your own beer, they might look at you funny. But most places are staffed by people that love beer.

 

There are some good recommendations in here already.

My usual approach to sharing stuff I bring from Oregon at other breweries/beer bars/gastropubs around the country/world is to leave everything in the car (or concealed in a bag on you if you don't have a car), sit at the bar, have a couple beers & some food, chat up the bartender about both, and then if you get the vibe they're cool and would be friendly to it, just say, "Hey, I brought some bottles from (your town/state here), would you like to try some stuff?" If the answer is "yes" (it almost always is), have them open the bottle, pour some for them (and any other bartenders interested), yourself/your party, and then ask if they have any regulars around with whom they would like to share the rest. They're happy, you're happy, and you almost always make some new friends talking to those regulars about the beers (hopefully you're representing your state well and it's good haha).

 

if you come to the brewery i work at during tasting room hours with tasty local brews to share - you will be welcomed. Infinitely moreso than the leagues of tourists who come looking for free samples.

 

@teddyarrowhead seems to basically have it figured out.

I've had a wide range of experiences with this ranging from refusal to complete disinterest to part of my tab magically disappearing to being hooked up with some completely unexpected bottles. My MO while I lived in CA was to always pack some fresh Pliny on trips and to just take one to each brewery I was visiting, after a while mention to the bartender/staff that I had something to share if they were interested or willing, and then encourage them to share with the staff and any regulars or other patrons. Very often it was a nice conversation starter (or bolsterer) with the staff and others in the vicinity, and it definitely made quite a few people's days to unexpectedly try something that was interesting to them. The positive memories I have from this approach have far outweighed the few negative experiences, so I say "go for it!"