Breweries For All Ages
If you visit Oregon with a child, you become particularly aware of a little sign often placed in the windows of premises that serve alcohol. Similar to a traffic light, if you see “Minors Allowed” in green letters, it is go time and you may proceed to a good afternoon for all. Otherwise, you come to a sudden stop as you see the dreaded “No Minors Allowed” in bright red letters, indicating that your child is not welcome to enter. As a responsible parent, you should probably change your plans as well.
Thankfully, I have found breweries in Portland to be largely accommodative to families. Of the 100 breweries/taprooms on the list, I have found only 8 that feature the dreaded “No Minors Allowed” sign in their window. Reasons to exclude minors may vary, but I understand that allowing minors entails serving food and/or additional costs as part of their license to serve alcohol. Also, note that even if minors are allowed, they are almost never allowed to sit at the bar (their legs are too short anyways).
Whether it is due to regulations, costs or just a choice of vibes, it is the breweries choice and I support all good breweries. However, it just means additional efforts on my part as a parent if I do indeed want to visit and as such, I tend to visit these places a bit less. These “adults only” breweries/taprooms are;
- Assembly
- Ascendant*
- Ecliptic Moon Room
- Gigantic Tap Room
- Grains of Wrath PDX
- Montavilla Brew Works
- Occidental
- Uptown Beer Co & Market*
*Ascendant & Uptown allow minors on the patios but not inside the taprooms.
Research shows that one of the secrets to raising happy kids is having happy parents, and being able to enjoy the brewery scene in Portland as a family means that the breweries are doing their part.
