10 Tips for Visiting a Brewery with Kids

Should you visit a brewery with kids? As a beer enthusiast and dad, I answer that question with an emphatic “Yes!” At the same time, I understand why children in breweries could annoy some patrons. But I believe we can all get along and enjoy a pint (or sippy cup) together. This is why I offer the following 10 tips for visiting a brewery with kids.

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1. Find a family-friendly brewery.

Most craft beer drinkers are aged 21 to 44, which are prime parenting years. Therefore, a lot of brewpubs are targeting families.

Many offer live music, board games, green space, coloring books, play areas, and old-school arcade games. A prime example is Rock & Brews, a brewery that specializes in good beer served with lots of fun and a side of rock and roll with several locations in the U.S. (like Buena Park in California, shown below).

However, not all breweries are family-friendly, nor do they want to be. In fact, in some states, it’s illegal for children to be in breweries.

If a location offers a kids menu and high chairs, then you know children are allowed. Call ahead or check out the brewery’s website if you’re unsure. While you have the brewery on the line, you might want to ask if they have any activities for children.

A gem like Surly Brewing Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, makes sure that your children are having as much fun as you. Further north, Duluth boasts many breweries, like Canal Park Brewing Company, where the whole family is welcome.

2. Visit breweries with food and non-alcoholic drink options.

One of the easiest ways to keep my young son, Deacon, occupied is with food. As a growing toddler, he is always eating.

Thus, my wife and I try to visit breweries that serve meals or snacks. There’s nothing like a plate of chicken tenders, tater tots, and an ice cream cone to keep young kids content for a while. If the brewery doesn’t offer food, be sure to pack your own food to help fight the hunger monster.

For a tasting room with a food truck, call ahead to make sure they’ll be there. Food trucks, while tasty and fun, can be unpredictable.

Allowing older kids to have their own drink to sip may make them feel grown up like mom and dad. Some kid-friendly breweries offer fun non-alcoholic drinks. In my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, Free Range Brewing makes homemade sodas for kids, and Highland Brewing in Asheville sells juice boxes at the bar.

3. Avoid breweries that are overly dog-friendly.

The flip side to the “should you visit a brewery with kids” debate is the “should you visit a brewery with dogs” debate. Wherever you fall on that great divide, you will most likely encounter dogs in a brewery.

When my wife and I plan a family brewing outing, we never go to breweries that are overly dog-friendly. It’s not that we don’t like dogs. In fact, we have two furry friends of our own. But we know that a lot of children running around combined with nervous dogs in a confined space makes an unpredictable and dangerous situation.

4. Keep a close eye on your kids.

Remember that brewery staff and other customers aren’t there to watch your kids for you. Wedge Brewing Company in Asheville has a sign out front that says children must be within 10 feet of their parents. I think this is a great rule!

Just last week, I embarrassingly watched my friends’ daughters run rampant throughout a brewery taproom, annoying customers, dogs, and other children. On several occasions, the kids startled a sleeping dog and bumped into customers carrying beers.

My friends assumed that the rest of us were watching their children for them. Sorry, but I was busy being a responsible parent to my own child.

5. Look for an expansive beer garden.

At the same time, I understand that children have energy to burn and running is the best way for them to get it out. When visiting a brewery with kids, choose one with plenty of outdoor space.

Breweries are communal and family-friendly gathering spaces, so many have opened outdoor beer gardens, which are great places for children to get some fresh air. For example, Brat Haus in Scottsdale, Arizona offers an outdoor area with lots of picnic tables, greenery, and lawn games like Giant Jenga for all ages.

Just keep an eye on your kids. I once saw a child climb a fence at a brewery and take off running down the road!

6. Skip brewery tours.

Unless your child is interested in learning about the magic of beer making or is well-behaved in situations where they might be bored, skip the tour. Remember, other customers are on the tour to learn something and rowdy children can be distracting.

As a beer writer, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Once you’ve been on one brewery tour, they’re pretty much all the same. Wait to go on one when you’re brewery hopping without children.

8. Take the temper tantrum outside.

If you find yourself in the midst of a tantrum, please take your child outside to calm down. Remember, this isn’t Chuck E. Cheese and not everyone is accepting of screaming children.

Put yourselves in childfree customers’ shoes for a moment. They’re out for a relaxing afternoon, and wails and whines aren’t relaxing to hear.

You don’t want your child to be the subject of a nasty Instagram or Facebook debate on why children shouldn’t be allowed in breweries.

7. Know when to leave.

I admit to having broken this rule on multiple occasions. I’m out having a good time catching up with friends and a few hours pass. While Deacon is still being chill, I know the witching hour is coming for us – like any second now.

Still, I push the limits and order one more beer. As I sit down with my frothy beverage in hand, my wife gives me the look. Our son has gone nuclear, and it’s time to leave.

Don’t be me. Know and honor your children’s limits.

9. Teach your child about responsible drinking.

I grew up in a family of home winemakers and was around alcohol since before I could remember. Thus, drinking wasn’t a big deal when I arrived at college. It was part of life.

While I enjoyed my college parties, I was never one to get blackout drunk. I witnessed responsible drinking my entire life and knew how to act around alcohol.

10. Never drink and drive.

Yes, I am going to get preachy for a moment, but we’re talking about alcohol and kids, so I feel that I must.

Please make sure there’s a designated driver in your group. Of course, you should do this whenever you plan to imbibe, whether the kids are in tow or not. I recommend deciding who this person will be before you even depart for the brewery.

You don’t want to have this conversation as you’re getting ready to head home and realize that both of you thought the other was driving. My wife and I like to take turns driving. One weekend, she’ll be the DD, and the next, I’ll be DD.

Nowadays, with rideshare services prevalent and easy to use, it’s easier than ever to ensure everyone gets home safe and sound after a family day at a brewery.

With these tips in mind, head out to that new brewery down the street or on your next vacation and get ready for a family afternoon together filled with great beer, good food, live entertainment, and lots of fun!

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What questions or advice do you have for visiting a brewery with kids? Let us know in the comments below!

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