What Taprooms Get Right!

Of course with a name like that they do it right…

 

I hope they also do a Doggie Taster Tray with like 5-6 different kinds of milk bones. Won't last long, but.....

 

What I love about the modern taprooms (or at least the once I got to) at breweries now, is that they serve kind of the same purpose as some pubs in the UK, as it is a great meeting place for all. I had a big rant typed out, but will just say that I can appreciate sitting next to a family with dogs in a taproom (though can obviously have the same experience in a quit bar) more than at a bar with a bunch of idiots yelling at whatever sports ball is being played on ESPN, or those same guys just staring at whatever crap ESPN loops all day. I find that much more annoying than any kids I have ever encountered at taprooms.

On another note, one thing many brewery taprooms get wrong, well not necessarily wrong, just something I'm not a big fan of. You don't always have to have music playing, let alone at the levels some play it at. Let the natural conversation be the noise. Sure turn it on, or up later in the evening if you have to, but its really OK to not have a generic playlist on all the time, and those cool and edgy playlists aren't really that cool either

 

I like taprooms that provide sound dampening or various private nooks where you and friends can converse. I generally don’t like the big open beer hall type taprooms as it gets way too loud and hard to talk without screaming to each other. No music over the speakers please unless you have a musical guest. But I generally prefer the live music outside on a nice day vs inside.

 

Offering a few non-beer options (seltzer, cider, wines, kambucha etc. for non beer drinkers is always good to maximize patronage.

 

Food. Some places the food is as good as the beer. Makes taking the fam out for dinner a better experience.

 

Some folks have discussed how they enjoy a 'quieter' environment for a brewery taproom. A few months ago I posted about the new taproom opened up by Forest & Main in downtown Ambler, PA (they moved from their previous location which was essentially a house). This new location has no TVs and has the cozy feel of an English Pub:



I reported:

"Last evening they had three English style ales served via cask (hand-pump delivery): Bitter, Dark Mild, and Oatmeal Stout.

They also have three Lukr side-pull taps serving two lagers (Pilsners) and a Saison."

They also had plenty of hoppy beers served on 'regular' tap.

I enjoyed the Dark Mild that was served via the hand-pump:



You can read more here: https://www.beeradvocate.com/commun...in-brewing-co-2021.635864/page-3#post-7393129

Cheers to cozy brewery taprooms!!

 

Hot take and one I’m sure many of you will rebuke; I hope I’m never the kind of parent who has to take my young kids to the brewery with me while I knock a few back. I was at a brewery just yesterday while a cluster of parents behind us chatted and drank as their kids ran wild. This was “acceptable” behavior quite obviously to the staff and I’m sure they see it all the time. To me though, I’m just not that guy. If I’m deciding on fun things to do with the kids on the weekend, a trip to the brewery is about as low on the list as anything. My personal opinion, feel free to tell me how wrong I am. Cheers.

 

Naw, there has to be some music on in the background. Ya ever try to have a quiet beer where the only sound is the chatter from the other folks? It's more annoying than music you don't like. it doesn't have to be loud or overpowering, but it should be there.

 

I worked in the UK for a while, many of my favorite pubs I would go to a lot would never have music unless it was a live band playing on occasion...not an issue at all for me.

 

Maybe not the most popular of opinions on here haha, but for me it's Lost Abbey. Every time I've gone, the experience has been awesome and the staff has been top notch. One year for my bday, my wife surprised me with a trip down. One of the bartenders heard us talking to ourselves about the bday, and when we closed out she gave us a bunch of free stuff cuz she heard it was my bday.

When my family used to visit us, my old man and me would make the drive down and have similar experiences as well.

 

my company opened up an office in Ambler last year, and every time i've made the trip down i tried to get there because i love me some cask, but always ended up working too late :/

 

Some brewery taprooms provide outdoor spaces which include activities for the kids e.g., a sandbox for the toddlers and other activities for the older children. This seems to be a good 'compromise' in that the parents can enjoy some beers while watching their children play. Is this the sort of thing that you might consider for you and your children?

Cheers!

 

I'm not the "peopliest" person you're ever gonna meet. The sound of random human chatter annoys me far greater than shitty music. I can tune out most of it, but the people noise creeps in. Plus, I'm not really interested in other folks conversations, as I'm sure they're not interested in mine.

Shrug, different strokes.

 

Flights of juice being served to children seems to be the norm at breweries these days.

 

Hopefully you will luck out someday.

As a FYI they have a couple of refrigerators in the taproom for take away sales; lots of canned brands (four-pack/16 ounce cans) and plenty of big bottles for the 'unique' brands. Not the same as drinking a cask pint but maybe a compromise for you?

Cheers!

 

And perhaps some BAs would comment, in the context of haze beers, juice being served to adults!?!

Cheers!

 

I am a fan of compromise thanks!