Tap room turn offs

magicians

 

Lower back tattoos, won't stop talking about their ex, listens to Nickelback and/or Creed.

 

I went to Toronado in SF, did a u-turn immediately because of this.

 

Most of the things mentioned here don't bother me. Every place is different, so I don't go anywhere thinking that there needs to be some ideal atmosphere for me to have an enjoyable experience. I'll enjoy a beer in a loud place with TVs and music, or regardless of their flight/taster options.

However, every taproom needs to serve the beers in some sort of glass, and nothing turns me off faster than improperly cleaned glassware. There's not much worse than being served a beer and seeing all the bubbles stuck to the glass because it wasn't cleaned properly. Or taking your first sip and getting a nice mouth/nose full of detergent.

 

Here is one place and how they deal with problems; they have copies of this posted throughout the taproom. Civil Life in St. Louis, a wonderful place to visit.

http://www.thecivillife.com/civil-b...kfulness-and-respect-for-all-of-our-customers

 

When they have music playing and it is so loud you can't have a conversation. I like music, and I like it playing in the background, but if its painful or makes conversations impossible it sucks.

 

+ 1 on dogs (especially barking ones) and +1 on irresponsible parents. Yes yes, I know... but I like my quiet, I like to have conversations and really... if I wanted to be around a dog, I'd just adopt one. :l

 

Mimes. Dirty, filthy mimes.

 

I see a lot of posts about dogs. I've never seen a dog in a taproom....and I've been to a bunch of taprooms. Is this a common thing? Is it regional? The only time I've seen dogs in public places would be service dogs and you'd hardly know they were there.

 

Hard to say man, but here in Colorado... it's a problem (well, for those of us who don't want to smell "dog" in their beer or hear dogs barking. Likely a regional thing... I would guess (?) it also depends on health codes/rules by state, too. (*shrugs*).

 

When they are closed, ha ha.

 

#1 Kids
#2 Bicyclists

In Iowa it doesn't seem like there is a taproom that isn't connected to a bike trail. This would be a good thing if these 300lb "athletes" weren't wearing biking shorts and sweating.

 

hahaha

 

I think this is a Long Island thing haha. Honestly every time I'm in the city or out of state this does not happen.

 

1. Noise - there are ways to add noise dampening and sound barriers. Your all concrete bar, floors, and walls look cool. But it is seriously too loud in here.
1 b. Really loud music in your really loud tap rooms. Even worse when it is live music as they can't "turn it down." I've been to a place in MI a few times, and you have to yell the live music is so loud. Everybody clapped when they said they were taking a break.
2. No tap lists online. I don't care if it is a photo of the real tap list. do it.
3. Not listing price. How is this still a thing?
4. Not listing pour size. No I would have not ordered this $8 pour if I knew it was a 6oz pour.
5. Nothing new. I know it can be hard to always be making a new beer to tap. But make me a return customer. Make me want to come in
6. Specials. give me a reason to come in. $1 off goes a long way.

 

TVs from wall to wall.

 

For me, the bad really comes down to service/staff.

Just like check out lines at grocery stores, it never feels like there are enough servers. I know some places that systematically choose to have less servers so the servers end up making more $$$ at the end of the night (which is likely more than delivery/asst. brewers combined).

The thought of feeling ignored. I get it, there are 100 of us, and 4 of you. It's truly a feeding frenzy sometimes. Which leaves me to the next point.

Announce or please state that if I sit at a table that I may or may not get service, or may or may not have to go up to the BAR top (of which there are no signs and dozens standing for a drink).

I'm sure this goes for any restaurant when they are busy. But some places do it better than others.

Also, music etiquette. Many tap rooms play pandora or iheart radio or some random workers iphone music playlist. I've heard cuss words that are sort of off putting to the mood.

Family etiquette. If its 5pm on a Friday, please don't hog up a busy taproom table with 3 children, 1 non drinker, and a drinker. There is a time and a place, and I don't think thats a great time. Same with dogs. If its already 5 people deep, keep your dog at home. His paws may get squished.

I may just be a grumpy person. I definitely feel some places do it better than others . Some of the more popular places feel they can get away with certain things, and DO. It's up to us to call them out on the crap.

What it comes down to for me (and why I let all my mug club memberships expire) are too long of lines for beer being sold at a premium $$$, being served by someone making too much money. I feel taken advantage of. I tend to buy package now and drink at home/other peoples homes.

Good thread

 

At least you get to drink inside.

 

It bugs me when places have no description available for the beer they offer.

Like, how am I supposed to know what 'Severed Moose Head' or 'Fool's Seventh Errand' is based on the name?

Some places have a great beer selection but don't even list style and ABV on the chalkboard over the bar which is the only place they list them.

And servers when asked will ask you 'Well what kind of beer do you like?' No, I want to look over a list and go wherever inspiration strikes me.

It's a pain to have to take out my phone and use BeerAdvocate just to know what the hell is on the menu.

 

While at a restaurant that is known for serving a few craft beers, I ask the waitress, "What kind of craft beers do you have?" And the answer, "I'll have to go check, I don't know if we carry that type".

At this same place & same meal, the appetizer was free because they forgot about it. Ate it last!