Off-site "Tasting Rooms"

What in general are your problems with tasting rooms being more like bars? I like it better when a brewery has more to it than simply a counter with samples and a growler filling area. Is it simply the term "tasting room" that bugs you when it's more than that, or do you actually not like these sort of tasting rooms?

 

Yeah, I think a better term for a "brewery-related bar" would be a "taproom" maybe. It gets the point across better. Cheers!

 

Of course they're going to skirt as many local laws as possible. It's difficult enough as it is to get a permit to open even a small "tasting room". Some of it has to do with convincing local authorities (Well, we know you don't want another bar in your neighborhood, but how about a tasteful tasting room?) I am in favor of the idea simply because it cuts down on drinking and driving. I don't care what they call it- locally available fresh-from-the-brewery beer is a godsend. And most of them actually do promote tasting flights as opposed to larger pours (some of them aren't even legally allowed to pour full pints).

 

With the alcohol laws (all degrees of licensing) varying so much from one part of any town to another part of town, I am willing to believe they are using language to jump through some hoops just to give people a chance to taste their beer. The best description they could have out front would be : FREE BEER, but I haven't seen one of those yet, so I enjoy whatever they can offer and let them call it a tap room, tasting lounge, brewery, bar, pub, dive or laundry service - whatever.

 

Don't see a problem with it personally. If the beer is good I'll go, and if not I won't. Same as in most beer situations.

Why do they need to name it differently? Seems a little pedantic. If I owned a brewery I would do whatever it takes to get my product to people at the lowest cost/hurdles possible to myself. I imagine you and most others would do the same.

And unless AB starts opening AB bars (tasting rooms) all over the country, I don't think we're in a place where we need to worry about tied/free houses.

 

I have no problem with the term "tasting room" and if a brewery wants to direct market their brews this way more power to them. As far as your impression that winery tasting rooms do not provide full pours, have visitors for extended periods of time or have bands, that does not conform with a couple of local wine tasting rooms here

 

In the case of Modern Times, it wasn't even something they were planning on doing. A developer approached them and asked if they'd like to open up a tap room in their new building in SD. Pretty sweet deal.

 

I don't see an issue with this. At least not yet, and I don't think it's a step back actually because we are still in an addition phase. It provides more opportunities, money and jobs. Like other fineries like ready to wear clothing, etc. You can go to saks,or macy's and find something or you can go to that clothiers respective boutique and get something else entirely.

 

It is a bar. It's also a tasting room. Seems like a really odd thing to get upset about.

 

breweries, taprooms, tasting rooms, brewpubs, bar, tasters, shaker pints, fancy glasses... who cares what its called as long as what's pouring is good ?

 

I feel ya man. At the new brewery I work at, people will ask me "Are they doing tastings?" I wanna be like "We're doing guzzlings. Now get in there and knock back 4 pints."

 

Why does a brewery tasting room need to be like the tasting room of a winery or distillery?

 

I disagree. To me a taproom is a place with a variety of taps, not just those of one brewer. In places where the codes are different, the serving of food is usually involved.

 

My friends and I visit very small local breweries on the weekend sometimes. Some of these places have very limited distribution and going to the brewery is the easiest way for us to taste their beer fresh. It's also just fun to go hang out and have a couple of pints. Some have live music now and again, but the 'tasting rooms' themselves aren't very bar like. It's usually a few picnic tables inside or outside, and sometimes a food truck will setup nearby. It's all very laid back. The breweries benefit and we have a good time, so where's the problem?