How do you feel about guest drafts at brewpubs?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Rebecca, May 11, 2018.

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  1. Rebecca

    Rebecca Initiate (0) Jun 28, 2012 Maryland

    A new survey by the Brewers Association found that 68 percent of 135 brewpubs surveyed sell guest beer on draft.

    From the BA:

    "Variety was the most popular reason cited for carrying guest draft beers. Guests are becoming more conscious of beer flavor, styles, and profiles. A beer menu lacking in certain categories can be a no-go for a consumer set in his or her preferences. Complementing your tasting room’s offerings with guest beers can help fill that void."

    Do you care if a brewpub carries guest beers?

    [​IMG]
    Read more: https://www.brewersassociation.org/articles/guest-beers-brewpub-brewery-taproom/
     
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  2. MikeP64

    MikeP64 Zealot (661) Jan 24, 2015 South Carolina

    I think it's a great Idea and it strengthens the craft beer scene. It also shows that a brewpub isn't afraid to have 'competition' with their own beers.
     
  3. Lahey

    Lahey Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2016 Michigan

    My favorite brewpub in my area has 65 taps, maybe 7-10 of which is their beer. I love it, because the guest taps are often chock full of rarities, one-offs and of course some solid year round offerings. In a smaller brewpub, I still appreciate it. Not sure if it shows confidence or lack of in their product, but it gives customers more choice. Variety is the spice of life.
     
  4. zid

    zid Grand Pooh-Bah (3,132) Feb 15, 2010 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I appreciate it when it’s a result of unusual business or personal relationships and allows me to purchase beer that I ordinarily would not have access to in my area.
     
  5. Harrison8

    Harrison8 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,285) Dec 6, 2015 Missouri
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Mixed feelings on this topic. I'd rather see a quality brewery or brewpub cranking out their own beers and having them on tap, but if they're small production or only specialize in a handful of styles, it's beneficial to have those guest taps to fill the voids. It may even be that the brewer isn't very familiar with a particular style and opts to carry someone else's product in that place. I respect that acknowledgment of ability and their gap in product variety. Otherwise the only other time I'd be on the look out for guest taps at a brewing facility of some sort is if their in-house beer is just mediocre (can name a couple I've visited, usually with good food that keeps them in business), then I may not visit unless they have at least one quality guest tap.
     
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  6. EvenMoreJesus

    EvenMoreJesus Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2017 Pennsylvania

    I think more brewpubs should have guest taps. It's a fantastic idea.
     
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  7. Squire

    Squire Grand Pooh-Bah (4,385) Jul 16, 2015 Mississippi
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It seems to me this benefits everybody. My local five miles away can literally tap into a keg from 50 miles away and I benefit. The brewers have different strengths with various styles and my local who makes a good stout can bring in a good lager or Kolsch which benefits both brewers who don't then have to brew all over the map to suit a range of customers.
     
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  8. cmiller4642

    cmiller4642 Maven (1,399) Aug 17, 2013 West Virginia

    No problem with that at all. In WV we have a brewpub that carries some WV stuff that we can't get in distro here (we live so close to Ohio that the other breweries just kind of ignore our area).
     
  9. scottakelly

    scottakelly Maven (1,487) May 9, 2007 Ohio

    I don't have a problem with it, as long as it is well thought out. Usually if I am going to a brewery I want to drink their beer. However, I have been to breweries where they focused on a few styles that were not that interesting to me. In that case I like the option of choosing something different.
     
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  10. Relik

    Relik Zealot (603) Apr 20, 2011 Canada (NS)

    I think its great as long as the guest tap is equal to or better than the brew pubs offerings.
     
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  11. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm all for it, especially in the case of a small brewery where it gives them more time to produce a better beer than just fill the pipeline.

    The ONLY time I don't like guest beers is when they are not clearly marked - I don't want to accidentally order a beer from another brewery if... there's no tap handle; it's not listed as being from another brewery on the beer board; it's listed on the printed menu in small letters beneath, or better yet, with an asterisk and then in small letters beneath. I've run into this a few times and it's irritating.
     
  12. rudiecantfail

    rudiecantfail Pooh-Bah (1,927) Aug 9, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    If that's the way they want to run their business, then what the hell. It's America. Folks should run their business how they see fit. The market will decide if they have chosen wisely or not.
     
  13. PorterPro125

    PorterPro125 Pooh-Bah (1,700) Jan 19, 2013 Canada (NB)

    I definitely agree that it strengthens craft beer culture.

    I would say 3/4's of all the brewpubs in my area also carry other local beers. Myself personally, I usually just get the house made stuff but it certainly is nice to have more options than just what they make there.
     
  14. Bitterbill

    Bitterbill Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,036) Sep 14, 2002 Wyoming
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Frontier Brewing in Casper, not a brewpub, always has good guest beers on draught and tap takeovers every Thursday that I can remember. Pretty sweet!
     
  15. meefmoff

    meefmoff Pooh-Bah (1,922) Jul 6, 2014 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I might just be spacing out but I'm having a hard time thinking of many places here in MA that offer them (it's certainly way lower than 68% whatever it is). I wonder whether there might be a regulatory sort of thing going on where a standard license only covers beers brewed on premise.

    I'd be happy to see more of it though. Never hurts to have more choices and there's not really time to physically visit every single brewery these day anyhow.
     
  16. Oktoberfiesta

    Oktoberfiesta Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2013 New Mexico

    Easy money.

    Plus for some smaller places, it' has better margins than stuff they make themselves.

    To answer op, I'm not exactly a fan anymore. If it's a brewery tasting room, I don't think guest taps can benefit. But I do know it's a regulatory thing in NM. You pretty much can't sell out of state beer without a real license. These smaller breweries can guest tap all they want without much of a hiccup or change in their license. It definitely benefits the local scene. But far too many use it as a crutch. Am I going to a beer bar or a brewery? Sometimes it's blurred too much for my liking.
     
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  17. AZBeerDude72

    AZBeerDude72 Initiate (0) Jun 10, 2016 Arizona

    My local guys have guest taps and I think it is a good thing.
    :beers:
     
  18. Zorro

    Zorro Grand Pooh-Bah (3,258) Dec 25, 2003 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Loves it. New beers to try.
     
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  19. Stout_Sabre

    Stout_Sabre Pundit (845) Jan 17, 2015 New York

    Live Edge Brewing in Burt, NY (hour outside Buffalo) has 4 of their own beers, but 16 guest taps. Thing is, their 4 beers are fantastic and the guest taps rival most craft bars. They get Lawsons, Singlecut, Founders seasonals, and a bunch of local stuff. Do i wish they made more of their own brews? Sure because i know they have the talent to pull it off. But what they have, along with the food is great so i don't mind much
     
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  20. Kraz

    Kraz Pundit (784) Feb 12, 2018 Indiana
    Society Trader

    It's a good community and this is the easiest way to support one another. I love it

    That said, I rarely ever go for a guest tap unless its a brewery I really, really am into
     
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