There are thousands of breweries in the U.S., and a visit to any of them can be a mixed bag. Some are cozy, low-lit brewpubs tucked away on picturesque city streets, while others require a drive down a long dirt road without cell service or into a sketchy industrial park. Regardless of location or the effort it takes to get there, when the beer is of a certain echelon, some folks are willing to sacrifice atmosphere for good brew.
Usually, the liquid in the glass is enough for drinkers to make the judgment call of whether or not they might make a second visit. But when a bartender or brewer pops into a taproom for a quick pint, they’re usually better trained at spotting the little things that signal the spot might not be up to snuff. To find out what those red flags are, we consulted with 10 beer pros from around the country. Here’s what they had to say.
The biggest red flags at a brewery, according to beer pros: Breweries in touristy areas An unfriendly atmosphere Frozen glassware Massive tap lists Stressed-out staff Only serving beer in standard pint glasses Unknowledgeable bartenders Not enough staff to handle crowds Dirty glassware Unpleasant smells A bad playlist
“If a brewpub is in a touristy spot, chances are that the management knows there are different customers every day. There’s less motivation to make delicious beer if you’re not caring about enticing regular customers.” —Brian Hunt, co-owner and executive
