Choosing a brewery / taproom to visit

I chose "other" since it's all of the above, depending on a plethora of factors.

 

I chose the brewery with the best beer, but I also have the luxury of being within a 5 minute ride or 15 minute bike ride of two of our city's best breweries. The the other brewery I frequent and which is currently killing the competition is right next to my work.

The rest of the breweries get only occasional visits and these visits usually hinge on some other factor that isn't the beer such as the food options, a play area for my daughter, or the desire to try something new.

 

I said "other" because, while I do visit 1 particular brewery weekly, I do go to others on a sorta regular basis with no real rhyme or reason. Sometimes it is about a particular beer they might have that I like and am in the mood for. Sometimes it is because I happen to be walking by it and pop in for a quick one, or honestly, I'm in real trouble with New Belgium opens their tap room attached to their brewery here in town.

 

When you have 5 breweries/brewpubs within 1/2 of a mile and another 2 or 3 within a mile, there's plenty to chose from and plenty of difference between them all. And when you add in the 3 or so craft beer bars within walking distance, it's like heaven. If there were only some more trees around.

 

I hate choosing "Other" but I did. My first priority is the beer has to be good, followed by to-go options (growler, crowler, cans, bottles), followed by convenience. Being in Chicago, I'm more likely to hit my neighborhood spot that I can get in and out of, maybe while knocking out multiple errands close by, rather than trekking to another part of the city in traffic and vulturing around to park.

Half Acre across the street from a large grocery store with a parking lot is a good example.

 

I hit "Other", because there was no All Of The Above option. A lot depends on my mood too.

 

"They have decent food." should be on the list, at least it's on my personal list. Most often when I hit a brewery I'm going out for the evening with friends and being able to get good grub is part of the equation. Sometimes we'll do a little crawling and it helps determine the start point for the evening and other times it determines who makes the cut.

 

I have several favorite Taprooms, i like to see what is new on their website, mixed in with really liking the vibe of the place, also factor in whether they fill anyone's growler or just their own .

 

See post #2

 

When on vacation, I will seek out local breweries nearby via Yelp and try them assuming the reviews are good or I have heard about them here on BA. As far as factors in choosing a tap room in areas I already know (near my home or in cities I visit often) - its only 1 and thats the quality of beer.

 

I support my two local breweries because they are local and I'm a loyal homer. Fortunately they do have very good beer although I know that other nearby breweries have some better beers. Secondly, I'm also on a quest to visit every Michigan brewery and write a review here on BA (I'm losing the race because the new ones are opening like rapid fire), so I visit some breweries just because I haven't been there yet. Lastly, I like visiting breweries when I travel, so if there is one or two in the city where I stop for the night at a motel, I'll visit them.

 

Like several other people have noted, all of the above and mood. I've got 30 breweries within a reasonable bike ride. Where I go may depend on the direction of the wind and how hard it is blowing and what kind of people I feel like drinking with or who I want to talk to unless it is barrel week at Townhall and then I will go there.

 

I love great beer and new beer so it's a tough choice

 

Voted for "I feel more comfortable there / like the vibe & conversaton there vs other options" and other. To be honest, I rarely go out for beer. I keep meaning to visit the other two breweries in town, but I get overwhelmed by people. Like wise, I don't want to try to find a DD for a week night. So, I just don't go out much. About the only place I do go is my favorite bottle shop has a few taps. They keep a good rotating stock, do tasting nights on Thursdays, and provide some genuine and fun conversation. Plus, they're on my way home, so I can have a beer (or two and sober up at Steak n Shake) on my way home.

 

Just so happens the taproom with the best selection is also very close to me, has reasonable prices, friendly staff and patrons, and good food so it works out that all my personal wants are met. But I value beer quality the most.

 

I'll choose one mostly if I haven't been there before/recently if possible. Otherwise it is all about getting home safe and not driving too far.

 

I choose "best beer" for the poll, but all of the other factors come in to play in my decision, just not nearly as much. I guess one of factor I Iook at is growler fill availability/pricing.

 

I voted "It's More convenient for me". I live less than 2 miles from Fat Heads Tap House in Middleburg Heights. I live about 5 miles from The Brew Kettle and rarely go there. I like the vibe at Fat Heads a lot better. More relaxed, and not as crowded..