Why do you drink at Bars, Breweries or Taprooms?

I love going to breweries. The social aspect is key. Any time I meet up with my brother or friends, it's almost always at a brewery. Enjoy trying the new stuff and grabbing cans of whatever I didn't try. Love the hoppy smell that most breweries have.

With 2 young kids, I'm lucky to get to one once a month. But that makes the visit more special. If I was still single, I'd probably brewery hop every weekend and risk burnout.

 

To drink draught beer, almost always with a meal, usually a late lunch (after the crowd thins out). Preferably w/o bad rock music being played on lousy speakers, and no TV (or, at least, with the volume off) - but my preferences are seldom met.

I read from assorted issues out of pile of magazines in a box in my truck - Harper's, The Nation, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Smithsonian. With the pandemic and not going out, some of issues aren't exactly up-to-date but...

 

When a reporter once asked Willie Sutton why he robbed banks, he (allegedly) replied, "Because that's where the money is." On the rare occasions when I visit a bar or a taproom, it's because they have something I want to try. One place in town has a fantastic whisk(e)y menu, and occasionally they'll rotate in a keg or two of a limited TG release. I'll keep an eye out for things I might not be able to get otherwise.

 

My time at bars are over I think. Going there for having an NA beer? Seriously doubt it.

Home sipping is the thing.

 

Drinking draft beer, ability to get beers with limited availability, increased variety.

I live in an area where I don’t need to drive at all, which is nice.

I enjoy getting together with friends for share, etc. too, but this usually includes beers out as a group prior.

Cost difference doesn’t mean much to me because I like the opportunity to try a bunch of different options and variety. I’m willing to pay more for that.

As a cost example that works in my favor, it’s $4 for a four ounce pour at Other Half. Much cheaper than purchasing a 4 pack for $16-$24.

 

The number one reason I drink at a bar/taproom is to enjoy beers while socializing with friends and family. Also, as regards to brewery/taproom beer not all of the beers are packaged (e.g., canned) so the only way to enjoy those brands is by drinking them at the taproom (or I suppose if they have crowlers you could bring a crowler home).

Cheers to bars/taprooms!

 

Because I like to party.

 

I like taprooms. Both stand-alone and within breweries themselves. I generally prefer draft beer vs. packaged and I appreciate that they usually carry items I won't typically see on shelves. Plus, I'm a sucker for variety when it comes to typical beer styles, too.

On the social side, after a couple years of being stuck at home, I appreciate being around people again. Even if I don't know or speak to them, it simply gives me a feeling of normality. I do often run into friends and acquaintances, too.

Driving is the annoying part, though. I have to keep things safe, so my wife and I exchange driving duties. We'll also order items the other person wants to try so they can have a sip without ordering something overly potent themselves. Plus, sometimes I simply don't feel like driving across town in traffic for a beer or two. I just don't want to deal with it. As a result, I do typically stick with the places that are closest to where I live. Luckily most of them are quite good, which is nice. Still, many of my favorite spots (Bierstadt, Hogshead, Cannonball Creek, Wild Prov.) might as well be on the other side of the planet considering how rarely I feel like driving to them.

 

I say taprooms, though I mean taprooms attached to breweries. I haven't been to too many standalone taprooms.

But typically I just stay at home. It's just easier, and I have good distro of local beers in my grocery stores.

 

My preferred time to go to a brewery is: right after they open for the day, or immediately after my work hours. In both cases, it helps minimize traffic in the venue, and with it, noise and clutter. I also tend to avoid events, unless I can get there a few minutes before the event starts to secure a spot. A lot of these anniversary parties I hear about, with people standing shoulder-to-shoulder, sound the opposite of fun to me (I would've said the same thing in 2019 or prior too.)

As far as my ordering patterns, they don't really carry much of a pattern. I'll try to sum it up. I either order something new-to-me, or look for any of the following styles: barleywine, Czech lager, English Dark Mild, or an IPA. Preference to a lager served 'on slow-pour' or an English session style served via cask.

 

I tend to go out regularly. Yesterday walked up to a great little Vietnamese place that always has a very good local IPA on, then around the corner to a bar that still had happy hour going on and had an Old Fashioned. There are lots of places I walk to around my house. When I go to brewery taprooms its basically what @Harrison8 says above.

 

I don't drink out. Call me weird.

 

Great question! For the record, I’m an extreme extrovert. I love hanging at my local pub and socializing with the owners, my friends, and new people. I love hitting new to me bars/pubs in my travels…I’ve been a frequent bar fixture since I was 17… how time flys…oh, yea, I like to drink beer too!

 

I'm also a introvert so I get that bit. I do like to get out of my comfort zone occasionally tho it helps with my social awkwardness.

I like to hit brewery taprooms when they aren't to busy. I like to try fresh beer on tap and grab to go beers. I mostly grab to-go beers. I also like showing support for local breweries I enjoy.

 

Socializing and access to beers that aren't otherwise available.

I've had some of the best conversations of my life with a stranger that I encountered on a bar stool next to me.

Also, since having children, the rare trip to a nice bar or brewery represent a rare and cherished space to just enjoy a beer and some relative peace

 

Couldn't agree more, that's me as well. I'm also constantly amazed at the variety of beers
available on tap, whether it's imports or craft. I also like to drink Guiness on tap since for me
that's the best way to enjoy it.

 

I haven't been out to a bar or brewery taproom since the first pandemic lockdown imposed by Herr Walz.

And, even through things are opened up, I'm in the "at risk" category due to age and a health condition (or two), so I still don't go out.

When I did go to bars/breweries, I much preferred two or three people to converse with while enjoying a beer or two.

As to the NFL, I can watch all the games I am interested in while at home with the TV and all streaming devices off.

 

Two reasons for drinking outside the house:

1. Just got to get out! My wife and I try to go out to dinner at least once per week, so food is always involved with this first reason. Sometimes our outing is with another couple, so it also becomes social. Places are usually a brewery, but not always.
2. I'm a brewery ticker. With over 600 breweries already visited, there's many more to go, and I mean coast to coast. I write reviews of just about all of them here on BA, and when I find an especially good one, it's like breaking a news story when writing that review. Food (usually a light app to watch my weight) is involved at each place to help temper the alcohol, so it all adds up dollarwise to helping to support these breweries. And many of these visits are during non-busy hours.