Mass. breweries crack down on troublesome kids
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A quiet sip. Photo: Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images.
Some Massachusetts breweries are rethinking their family-friendly policies as taprooms turn into hangouts for children and non-parent patrons long to drink in peace.
Why it matters: There's a growing tension as breweries grow from specialized beer halls to full-blown public meetup spaces. They can be safe spaces for beer-lover parents to enjoy a pint with their kids in tow.
- Breweries fill a void between full-service restaurants and the more casual experience of 21+ bars, where kids wouldn't be allowed.
Yes, but: Some breweries are starting to restrict children's access so they don't become a hoppy PlayPlace.
- Bog Iron Brewing in Norton requires children to remain seated at their parents' table.
- The brewery says there have been incidents where kids climbed on furniture and threw rocks into traffic.
- Notch Brewing in Salem and Brighton goes 21+ after 6pm seven nights a week, a change from a more family-friendly policy.
- Castle Island Brewing in South Boston also keeps things 21+ after 8pm each night.
Brewery owners say a small percentage of families allow their kids to go unsupervised and that's created some hazardous situations.
Zoom in: Bog Iron Brewing's owner Brian Shurtleff said children were "throwing rocks into Route 123 right outside our beer garden" and "climbing, jumping up and down on our picnic tables," according to CBS Boston.
The intrigue: Bog Iron's social media posts about clamping down on kids garnered thousands of comments and went viral on Reddit.
What they're saying: "It's a big part of our culture to be welcoming to all," Massachusetts Brewers Guild executive director Katie Stinchon told Axios.
- But she admits the "large, open warehouse-style buildings" most breweries occupy "combined with a casual atmosphere—can unintentionally encourage younger guests to move about more freely."
- That's led to concerns about safety when children are unsupervised.
Breweries have posted clearer signage about kids, set boundaries for play and limited access to adults only.
- "These aren't broad industry mandates, but rather thoughtful, case-by-case decisions made to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests," Stinchon said.
The other side: Some breweries are going the other way.
- Dorchester Brewing Company got rid of its age restrictions when customers requested that it allow children.
- It "didn't feel great to have to kick somebody out that was enjoying themselves and having a beer and just because their kid was with them," general manager Stephanie Berman said.
Zoom out: The Massachusetts brewery crackdown mirrors what's going on across the country. Breweries in New Jersey, Ohio, Colorado and New York have implemented similar restrictions.
- Forest City Brewery in Cleveland even banned children under 16 entirely.
The bottom line: It's a balancing act between maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere that attracts customers and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.