Source Brewing - Colts Neck NJ

Agreed. There was a group of maybe only 5 couples, with about 10 kids, occupying most of the first floor yesterday. The remainder of the first floor was one group with a food spread taking up the large high top near the bar. So just two groups of people and the entire first floor was occupied.

I've commented previously that the first floor setup there is insufficient, and poorly designed. Luckily yesterday was not very crowded (rainy and cold), and I figured that would be the case which is why I went. But even then:

1. They ran out of source of happiness around 2pm, before I had a chance to get one and
2. I found out as I was leaving that they were not doing growler pours (only Tues Wed Thurs now). That was aggravating because had I known up front, I would have had a pour of Source of Light while I was there drinking.

I don't see myself going back for quite some time (at least until they get their act together and I can get a growler filled). But that won't make a dent in their bottom line. Affluent community, not much close by, good beer. They will be printing money.

 

Thanks for the nice write-up @mumbles44 . I'm firmly in the "leave the kids at home" camp when it comes to breweries. If you were to take a poll of kids being dragged along to breweries, I'd be willing to bet 8 out of10 of the kids would rather be at Sky Zone, Dave & Busters, a Children's Museum, etc....I understand that parents should get to have fun too, but for fucks sake, let's not pretend that kids love to visit breweries as much as the parents do. It just seems a little selfish, IMO not to mention that I've seen a lot of Dads (and Moms, too) drink a few pours of 8% DIPAs and drive away with 3 or 4 kids in the Chevy Tahoe. Pretty irresponsible, if you ask me. I can see stopping by for a few minutes or whatever to grab some beers to-go or maybe a single pour, but to sit there for hours with kids is just plan selfish, borderline trashy.


All that being said, placating to both groups of people can certainly be done properly. Sloop Brewing @ The Farm had a nice playground setup for the kids, they looked like they were genuinely having a blast, playing tag and enjoying the nice weather. It was a great setup for families.

 

@mumbles44 great write-up and exactly my feelings all the way around on my only visit so far. @tzieser I pretty much agree with your assessment about kids at non-food serving breweries but I will say that if the few pours of 8% DIPAs are irresponsible for parents to drive then that’s true of anyone - there’s kids in cars out on the road as well.

 

Yeah, you're absolutely right. I won't argue with you there. I just find the direct irresponsibility a little more shocking than some lone drunk dude who might smash into a school bus or something. It's shitty either way.

 

I have young kids. I love beer. I love going to breweries. I do not bring my kids to breweries for extended visits, even breweries that accommodate the kids with games, etc.

To me it is the equivalent of these self absorbed parents who bring their kids to restaurants and then hand them a phone or iPad to play games and watch shows on full volume. It is rude and disrespectful to other patrons. Yes, children are allowed. And no, electronics are not prohibited. But just because you can doesn't mean you should.

In a brewery, even assuming that one of the two parents stays sober, best case if your kid is very well behaved and just reading quietly, he is taking up space in an adult environment. More likely, he doesn't want to be there, and will be doing something or acting in a way that is at least a mild irritant to non-parents (or parents who go to get away for a bit). And worst case you are the crappy parent whose kid is either listening to Raffy on full volume, or running around etc. Yes, you can bring your kids. But you shouldn't, especially for an extended time. At the Source yesterday it almost seemed like this one group was having a kids birthday party.

 

I agree it’s a bad look for sure - I’ve only brought one of my kids to a non-restaurant brewery once - briefly to Kane on the way to Asbury and I made sure to only have three flights of their barrel-aged stuff before getting behind the wheel. Kidding, my wife had a small pour while I slammed home the good stuff quickly (pats myself on the back). Seriously though I am amazed at just how many people do bring their kids to breweries every time I’m at one!

 

Being next to Delicious Orchards definitely makes Source a "family friendly" brewery. I have only been there twice - once on a friday night and once briefly on a sunday morning at opening, so there weren't many familes there, but i've seen the pics and at peak business, the place looks like a zoo. that being said though, again, i think it's probably just a lot of spill over from DO. "Oh hey, there's that new brewery, can we check it out after we get our donuts?"

 

I just posted in the other NJ forum, but roughly agree with you here. My opinion is based off one visit but the line was terrible and took forever, personally I think their layout is bad as it's so awkward with the stairs and how the beer line wraps around it. They need another bar outside or something.

I do personally find them to be quite expensive, but to each their own and people can spend their beer $ however they see fit. Parking is abysmal and there's way too little spots, also its very odd seeing valet parking at a brewery. Beer was quite good though but I don't think its worth dealing with all the other negatives.

That's a shame about people camping out there with kids. I've taken my daughter to a bunch of breweries but we are typically in and out pretty quickly, hill farmstead was kind of the exception there with her playing outside blowing bubbles and petting dogs etc. and us enjoying a nice summer day. I feel like all that stuff is common sense but unfortunately a fair amount of people do lack common sense and courtesy for others. Parents need to keep a close eye on their kids, be sure they are behaved & entertained, have done some activities ahead of time (so kids aren't acting out), aren't in an adult oriented place for too long and be ready to leave quickly (though this really goes for taking kids anywhere). Also if you're kid or kids are having a bad day or generally aren't well behaved...prob not a good idea. Though obviously kids at breweries/restaurants can be a bit of a divisive subject.

Even before I didn't have a kid I didn't mind them around at a brewery but its when they are improperly supervised or misbehaving when the parents are oblivious or could care less are when it becomes an issue for me.

 

Haven’t been since opening weekend but I had pretty much the same experience as everyone here with 2 fun caveats: the valet guy not knowing how to drive stick so I had to park myself in some dirt path and some kids chucking rocks from the outdoor area onto the deck. Some guy got hit and went down to confront the kids as we were walking out. As for the beer, I thought they were decent but not worth the madhouse atmosphere just yet.

 

This place sounds like hell. Also re: kids - in practice I’m very conservative about bringing my kids somewhere (ie only ever to explicitly family friendly places [as opposed to the more family tolerant ones], with an outdoor area, in the warmer months). That said - in theory - my stance is always that if a brewery allows it then it’s hard to complain. And if that results in a subpar experience for everyone else then that’s the brewery’s fault and something that should be addressed directly with them. Sounds like these guys need to change their policies on a bunch of stuff

 

I'm at a point in my life where waiting in line...bad parking situation...kids running all over the place...I don't care how good the product is, it just doesn't sound worth it.

 

Sorry maybe overstated that. Sounds like a nice space and good beer. But all the other factors? Nah. I mean going to a kid-friendly, food-allowed, park-yourself-at-a-table-all-day-without-spending-on-beer place that’s right by an apple orchard - in late October - NFW

 

I shall stir the pot, as I now live 15 mins from Source. I'd much rather spend my time and money at the Distillery than Source if I am going that direction, IMO. The beers I have had have been okay, but nothing to write home about in comparison to some of the spots close by. I got a 4 pack of Source of Hoppiness and I wouldn't pay $18 for it again yet, not with the other beer I can buy for the same cost. That being said theres not been a beer that I didn't enjoy yet. The tap room is gorgeous and really cool looking. Stopping in later on a weekday is fine, but the few times I have been there on a Saturday afternoon was atrocious. I don't mind a line waiting for pours, but the fact I have to watch where I step so I don't hurt a semi supervised child playing is a bit much. The upstairs is nice where it seems to be child free is a bit better but can be crowded. I am not against children at breweries at all, but the few times I have been here it was just a bit too much for me, and I can't imagine in the mid summer season what it will be like come next year. I want to try more of their stuff, as each time I have been there have only had 5-6 on tap and a few were ones I had already, but I will plan the time to go around when I think it won't be as crowded. My hope is that its not insane inside during the colder months, as a lot of families were outside in the open area during the warmer months.

 

the distillery is great. They have a rotating menu of cocktails depending on the season. I have been there a bunch, since they opened a while before Source did. Never had anything I didn't like and I've tried the spirits on their own and they were all real good IMO. Def check it out if/when you have time

 

Yep, they are, def try them out!