A growing number of breweries across the country are reconsidering their family-friendly policies and, in some cases, banning children altogether.
Why it matters: Breweries have become popular destinations for parents with young children due to their relaxed atmosphere and spacious outdoor areas, but recent incidents involving unsupervised children have raised safety concerns.
The details:
- Some breweries have experienced incidents where children caused potential safety issues, such as climbing trees, throwing rocks, or running around unsupervised.
- Staff members have been forced to act as babysitters, and in one case, a parent even brought a travel potty for their child to use in front of other guests.
- Brewery owners are trying to strike a balance between being welcoming community spaces and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all patrons.
“We had staff trying to serve tables and almost running over 2-year-olds,” said Jay Demagall, an owner of Forest City Brewery in Cleveland. “We had kids climbing trees. There were many times I would walk out into the beer garden and see a kid in a tree, and instead of a parent telling them to come down, they’re taking a picture. It was extremely dangerous.”
The situation in Montana:
- Montana breweries, particularly in Missoula, have embraced the idea of being family-friendly, with many offering designated kids’ areas with toys and books.
- While the trend of banning children hasn’t reached Montana yet, it raises questions about whether such changes could eventually roll into the state’s breweries.
- For now, Montana’s breweries continue to provide spaces for all ages, but it remains to be seen if they will follow the more restrictive guidelines being adopted in other parts of the country.
The debate: The appropriateness of bringing children to breweries and bars remains a topic of discussion, with opinions divided on whether parents should be allowed to bring their children to these establishments.