The Taproom Experience

Quality beer is, of course, important, both draft and bottles. I like kind of a darker, cozy vibe. Doesn't have to be like a rustic log cabin but I'm not really a fan of the industrial chic look. I don't care if the bartenders aren't deep wells of craft beer knowledge. 95% of the time I know more than they do anyway. That said, a bartender who can tell me a little about the local offerings and who knows the difference between a sour and a saison is a plus. I'm also a fan of TVs. Doesn't have to be like a sports bar with 25 different TVs, but at least one TV within eye sight of the bar is huge for me. Example...in 2013 I was at Falling Rock in Denver sitting at the bar on a nice April day. It wasn't crowded. I ordered a basket of fries and a few Pliny's. What can be better than sitting at Falling Rock on a beautiful day drinking Pliny, you might ask? I'll tell you what, sitting at Falling Rock on a beautiful spring day drinking Pliny while watching The Masters on the one TV they have in the joint. TVs enhance the bar experience, I don't care what anyone says. Put it on ESPN, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, shit PBS for all I care. And mute it if you want. I don't think TVs stifle conversation (as non-TV purists claim), if anything it encourages it.

 

Good food is always a plus! Troegs, Dark Horse and Avery all come to mind..

 

Although new releases are great, I enjoy quiet times when the taproom isn't crazed and you can converse with the staff and ask questions. Also, it's nice when you can meet people you don't know and talk beer. What I don't like is long lines and feeling like I'm in a subway car trying to sample beer.

 

Sticks and Stones.

 

Because sometimes there's a guy who just needs to have a glass smashed over his head while Flight of the Valkyries is playing...

 

I really dig the food trucks especially when the same brewery changes things up and brings in different ones from time to time. Oh, and any brewery that brings in a local fav, JB Kelly Seafood Connection. Beer and lobster mac and cheese is the best combo ever. As far as other experiences aside from food, any taproom that doesn't feel like a prison mess hall like Al's of Hamden.

 

Yeah what Beef Curtains said....I wanna see brewing equipment. A local brewhouse which will remain unnamed is set up so you can't see any equipment...where's the fun in that?

 

I travel through the spectrum of extremes depending on my mood and the company I am with. On one end, I don't mind / enjoy the loud sports bar feel on a Friday night with the fellas. On the other end, a taproom with a decent selection, ample / comfortable seating, FOOD, and family friendly vibe my fiance and kids can enjoy, is right up my ally.

 

Needs to be at least one or two (or possibly more) full beards working there and possibly a cute girl with hipster eyewear and possibly a arm sleave tat. Then I know the place is legit. Really tho they need to be friendly and welcoming. Youed think they all would be but I have walked into a few pretentious tap rooms.

Cheers

 

updated beer list/menus helps too. I would love to know before going in what's on tap and how much each pour cost.

 

My biggest thing is space. When I go into a taproom, I want to have my own spot where I can breathe and taste test nearly all the beers. I also need variety, and would prefer food options either delivery or in house. As someone said above it's really nice for the atmosphere of you can view the brewing equipment and setup.

 

My wife took me to Hopcat here in Louisville for my birthday. Being a bit of a noob I'm not sure if that is considered a taproom but it was a very pleasant experience. A very good selection of many styles of beer as well as having about 2 dozen local brews. The young lady that served us was very pleasant and helpful with selection. I did a 4 beer flight and it gave me a great opportunity to try a couple of different styles.

 

I don't know if it's only an Iowa thing but we have a problem with children in taprooms. A taproom is not a place for a child.

 

Not that I no longer enjoy a raucous environment every now and then, but I've usually sought out taprooms in less than peak times. For this reason, I've been spoiled by bartenders with time to engage me about the beer, maybe an unsolicited taste of something that they are excited about, and maybe a little background music. I'm not too hard to satisfy I guess. If I make it to a place that's"rockin'", I only ask for a courteous crowd and professional acting bartenders. As for the number of beers available, I'm not going to plan a good sloshing, so as long as there's about 5-7 beers to choose from, I'll be fine. Rarely do I order food while drinking, so no big deal on that. I'm just not too hard to satisfy usually. Being said, a clueless and snark rude staff won't see me a second time, but typically that's more of a beer bar problem than taproom issue IMO.

 

An informed and attentive staff is essential.

 

Good beer and chill people are my first criteria. I usually like a warmer setting - lots of natural wood. Plenty of natural light if visiting during the daytime. Very dim light if going in the evening.

Also something close to my home so I can either bike, walk, or have the wife drop me off/pick me up if I'm planning to imbibe more than one or two.

Lastly, I enjoy knowledgeable staff that enjoy geeking out on beer.

 

For breweries, I want a variety of one-offs or brewery-only releases. I understand that breweries have to appeal to folks who may not live in the breweries' distribution area and want to be able to try the regular beers, but as a local, I want to be able to try something that I can't just get down the street at a store for a much lower price.

 

Enough seating
Patio area
Not deafeningly loud
Games
There must be a tour
I prefer when breweries do the "X dollars gets you 3 or 4 tokens redeemable for pints" that's just makes it FEEL more like I'm visiting a brewery than when it basically just works like a bar where you buy the beers individually...that's just a craft beer bar w poor selection
Rotating selection - make me want to come back.

 

Some functional space and a fun vibe. Food truck is nice also. TVs with sports on. Music. And proper glassware. I hate when a tap room has shitty glassware.

But most important is a friendly staff and knowledgeable servers.

 

Moderate music volume as I hate blaring music that makes it difficult to talk or even just relax.

Food. It doesn't have to be gourmet, and I'm fine if it's the sort of fare you see without a full kitchen but it does need to be tasty. Which means if all you've got a soft pretzels, nachos, and fries they better not be stale, covered in gas station orange plastic, or soggy respectively.

Cozy atmosphere. This can be accomplished with various design styles, but harsh lighting and all metal and concrete isn't something I find cozy. There is one local place that it's lots of concrete and metal and they often have the AC up too high and isn't really conducive to talking and drinking with friends (or even just relaxing by myself) for a length of time.

Minimal or no TVs. If I want giant TVs up everywhere I'll go to a sports bar. I understand people like sports, and I understand some people like to keep an eye on the game so a few TVs don't bug me but some places it feels like I'm standing in the TV area at a Best Buy.

Not overly crowded. I'm not talking about the number of patrons, at least not directly, but the floor plan needs to give me a little space. If I need to make my way to the bathroom (or the bar) I don't want to feel like I'm having to squeeze between tables to do so.