Kids can't go to Utah breweries — but one is finding a workaround
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Families mingle at Chappell Brewing. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios
Grabbing a brew with a kid in tow is famously fraught for Utah parents, but one brewery is finding a way to make occasional beer gardens family-friendly.
Zoom in: Chappell Brewing — "Utah's smallest brewery" — is seeking to re-create last week's popular Pie & Beer Day fest, where scores of families enjoyed live music and craft beers in the parking lot while kids played cornhole.
The big picture: Utah liquor laws generally prevent businesses from allowing kids in "third places" where grownups can buy drinks and hang out.
- Restaurant liquor licenses require patrons to stay seated at their tables — no mingling.
- Meanwhile, bars are 21+ and beer gardens at special events often have age restrictions.
Why it matters: Family fun that's taken for granted in other states can be a challenge here.
- Wanna introduce your kid to your college football team when you don't have cable? Find a restaurant that lets you loiter near the TV for four hours.
- Excited for your first post-baby pub brunch? Be prepared to get turned away at the door (something that's happened to multiple carseat-toting friends of mine).
Yes, but: Exceptions exist — if venues are willing to jump through some hoops.
How it works: For last week's festival, Chappell sought a special event permit from South Salt Lake City to request a "temporary beer event" license from the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) — and then secure an age waiver from the governor-appointed alcohol commission.
The fine print: Chappell couldn't advertise the festival as all-ages until three days beforehand because that's when the permit was finalized.
Between the lines: With multiple points of potential denial, owner Tim Chappell worked to forge relationships with city and state officials and got their help to craft the request.
- "We had to lean, in our applications, a lot on the community aspect: We're not just trying to throw a rager just to make a ton of money," he told Axios. We're trying to make South Salt Lake a cool place to be."
DABS could not immediately provide data showing how often age waivers are requested for event permits but confirmed Chappell's licensure process.
What they're saying: "A lot of our customers have young kids, and they're always kind of bummed that whenever these events are going on, they have to get a sitter," Chappell said.
- "Or they moved here from out of state and they're used to being able to go to events as a family."
Zoom out: Kids are regulars at many bars and breweries outside Utah, where playgrounds and board games are common sights.
- Nationally, some breweries are voluntarily adding age restrictions because of unruly children, the New York Times reported this month.
The other side: At Pie & Beer Day, kids played peacefully under tents and sipped drinks from Chappell's daughter's lemonade stand while adults chatted and snacked on food truck fare.
- "This is the church festival they don't have in Utah, so enjoy it while you can," my Wisconsin Catholic husband told our daughter.
Flashback: When Mountain West Cider opened its patio seven years ago, it obtained similar permits for family-friendly weekend events, which were comparably packed.
- It was one of the first times my kid came out of her shell at a public get-together, chatting up strangers and renaming their dogs.
What's next: Chappell is seeking a similar permit for Grid City Music Fest in August.
- "We figured, if we only see two or three kids show up, it might not be worth all the trouble," Chappell said. "But we had a lot of support for it."
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that bars are universally 21+ while beer gardens at special events often have age restrictions, but not exclusively.