Policies to Create for Children in the Taproom

Neshaminy Creek wanted its taproom to be a family-friendly environment because, as stated by Sales & Marketing Director Kyle Park, “we’d like to think our taproom is as inclusive as possible and don’t want to be turning away customers because they have children.”

Having to weigh the decision of having those under the age of 21 in any environment that serves alcohol is always a banter that is needed and many breweries in the country have opted to be as welcoming as possible. Doing so does in a way help increase the amount of traffic you may see on any given day, which leans toward being able to sell more pints across the bartop.

Honolulu Beerworks positions itself as family-friendly because manager Charmayne Malloy said they know that beer lovers like to drop in when they can to try new beers.

“We wanted our beer-loving customers to be able to stop in and grab lunch or dinner and have a tasty brew with their kids,” she said, indicating that there are no set times for kids to be allowed per company policy, while no state laws dictate the need to make changes and there are no additional insurance policy coverages that are needed, which seems to be the norm.

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“We do not have set hours or areas for kids,” said Twin Oast co-founder Cory Smith. “Our thought process was to be ‘kid friendly,’ but not necessarily ‘kid-focused.’

“I think there is a fine line, and having separate play areas, to me, is more of a ‘kid-focused’ approach.”

When they set out to build Twin Oast, Smith said they wanted to create a place that he and his family would want to visit time and time again.  

“I am one of four children, and each of my siblings has multiple children,” Smith said. “I believed that I was going to have multiple kids as well —and I now have two.  

“While we didn’t want to create a playground, we did want to have a place we could feel comfortable bringing our kids while we enjoyed a few pints.”  

As a brewpub, Wrightsville Beach Brewery makes a very deliberate effort to be family-friendly.

Owner Jud Watkins shared with Brewer that this includes a kid’s menu with items that can be prepared or cooked as quickly as possible.   

“When parents and even grandparents come into the taproom, we want them to be able to enjoy their experience so they can have more than one beer,” Watkins said. “If the kids aren’t happy, then the parents won’t be either.”

Additionally, WBB provides children’s books and toys for entertainment at the tables.

Neshaminy Creek’s physical space is large enough to accommodate families so Park doesn’t see any need to exclude them.

“We’re also not a bar,” he pointed out. “It’s just a different type of venue and we like providing a unique meeting place for the community.”

NCBC will try to provide kids with some activities and entertainment at its larger events so they have something to do as well.

“There’s a stigma around alcohol in this country that isn’t quite as intense as in Europe where drinking is more a part of daily life and not some sin that must be hidden away from the children and they’ve been at this game longer than we have, so we’ll follow their lead,” he said. “Also, we often see adults behaving worse than the kids in the taproom.

They did come up with a company policy that kids and families are always welcome and if they do decide to have a 21-and-over event, Park said they make sure to promote that fact.

Photo courtesy Wrightsville Beach Brewery

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