The NJ Brewery Debate; Should Kids Be Allowed Or Banned?

Imagine you're at a brewery, you're enjoying an ice-cold glass of liquid happiness, and you have a plate of piping hot wings with a housemade sauce on the way.

It's a good Saturday.

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All of a sudden, you feel something spill down your back.

Someone's kid, who was running around the brewery, tripped and spilled their juice all over the back of you.

The parents say and do nothing, and now you're sticky, mad, and have to wrap up your day early.

Why Are Kids In Breweries Such A Common Sight?

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Kids in breweries is not a new concept; in fact, it almost seems like parents prefer to take their kids to breweries. They are in large, open spaces where there's plenty of room for their kids to run around, and the parents get to enjoy a beer.

It's a pretty common sight, but should it be reeled in?

The Different Sides To Brewery Etiquette

I feel as though there are a few sides to this argument: people like my wife and I, who don't have kids and don't really want them, the people who work at breweries, and then families looking to go out without the pressure of a sit-down restaurant.

Brewery Guests Without Kids: Not Looking For The Daycare Vibe

On the one side, when I go to a brewery, I'm looking to enjoy a unique craft beer and enjoy the brewery environment, not sit in a daycare.

Parents' Point Of View: Breweries Seem Kid-Friendly

From the parents' side of things, a lot of them were going to breweries before having kids, and thanks to breweries usually having large open spaces, it makes sense to bring the kids with since they have plenty of room to run around and play while the parents enjoy a brew.

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Brewery Staff Face Extra Safety Concerns

Then there's the most important side to this story: the people who work in breweries.

In addition to serving you beer, running you food, and cleaning up, they now have to worry about tripping over toddlers, and making sure that there are no safety hazards for kids to get into. It can be dangerous, and it can be a lot.

How Some Breweries Are Setting Age Limits

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According to the New York Times, some breweries are cracking down on kids.

Icarus Brewing in Brick has implemented 21 and over hours during the weekends, and other breweries across the country are toying with the idea as well.

So, what do you think? Should more breweries follow suit and put in age restrictions during certain hours? Or should breweries just learn how to operate around their clientele's kids?

All of this thinking makes me want a beer, though. Here are some great spots.