You and your friends go on several group outings every year. Whether it is the pomp and circumstance of Mardi Gras or the clanging of steins at an Octoberfest, group outings bring friends closer together, as well as leave behind a lifetime of fond memories. Another popular group outing involves visiting a local brewery. Although any time of year is a good time to visit a brewery, summer is the best time of year to get your friends together for a brewery tour.
Why is Summer the Best Time to Visit a Brewery?
One of the first things to do when planning a group outing is to determine when to plan the special day. When it comes to visiting a brewery for a group outing, no other time of year comes close to beating summer for several reasons.
Seasonal Beer Choices
Breweries offer seasonal beer selections throughout the year. Think oatmeal stout around Halloween and a winter ale during the winter holidays. However, no other time of year offers more seasonal beer options than during the summer months. Summer seasonal beer selections tend to be more flavorful with fruit-infused craft brews headlining summer’s best. The seasonal beers offered during summer typically only last on menus until the start of fall.
Along the Beaten Path
A growing number of craft breweries have opened their business adjacent to bicycle trails. For example, in Portland, Maine, there are bike and brews tours along the Eastern Promenade Trail visiting several breweries and distilleries to learn about the local history. Massachusetts has something similar called the Assabet River Rail Trail which is a 12.5-mile trail from Acton to Marlborough which has great brewery options on either end of the trail. These two trails are only a few of the many trails in New England and New York that offer cyclers a place to ride and take a break to discover their next favorite brewery. Cycling has become one of the most popular types of group outings during the summer. All a craft brewery has to do is establish an area for storing bikes and offer a place for cyclists to relax with a cold craft brew. Remember to drink responsibly and have alternative transportation available.
Outdoor Seating
Restaurants do bustling business outdoors during the warmer months of the year. Your group can go on a brewery tour and barely step inside an establishment. Craft breweries that offer outdoor seating attract large groups that want to taste a few brews before heading to the next stop on the tour list. You might have to reserve a section of an outdoor patio to ensure you and your friends all get to sit down and unwind.
Vacation Time
Coordinating a group outing presents some logistical challenges, from finding the right tour bus company to determining the theme of an event. One of the most daunting challenges concerns trying to find the best time when most, if not all of the invitees can attend the group outing. Summer is a good time to visit a brewery because summer is when most people take vacations from work.
What to Consider When Planning a Brewery Tour
Another key to planning a group outing is to find an attraction that excites everyone. Once you invite your friends that love visiting breweries, the next step involves deciding which breweries should be the ones to visit on your group outing.
Know What Is Included in Each Brewery Tour
To enjoy a stress-free group outing, know what is offered during each brewery stop on your tour. Which of the breweries offer food during tastings, as well as which of the breweries provides sit-down food service? Your friends should know how many breweries are on the tour, as well as whether any of the breweries offer a complimentary gift such as a t-shirt or beer mug. As the planner of a brewery tour, you need to know how much time you have to spend at each stop on the itinerary. For the non-beer drinkers, many breweries will have wine, ciders or non-alcoholic beverages so that all guests can have a drink they can enjoy.
Mode of Transportation
Booking a tour bus represents the best mode of transportation for many reasons. First, you can expect to taste several craft beers during the daylong event, which means you won’t need to find your own transportation. Second, traveling in separate vehicles can make parking an issue, especially at smaller craft breweries. Finally, choosing a bus as the mode of transportation enables guests to get to breweries without driving. It is essential to plan how you will be getting home after brewery tours to avoid drinking and driving. Calling a friend or family member or taking a cab/Uber are good ways to make sure that everyone gets home safely.
Day of the Week
Saturday is by far the most popular day of the week to book a brewery tour. However, Saturday also is the busiest day of the week for breweries, which means your group might have to compete with one or more other groups for seating. For the most relaxing brewery tour, try to book a visit on a weekday. Summer is the best time of year to book a brewery tour on a weekday because your friends may be taking time getting time off from work.
Cost
It is not as much about the price of a brewery tour, as it is what your group gets in return. We already mentioned some breweries like to give away gifts, particularly promotional items that spread the word about their businesses. Your group can do better than promotional gifts. Ask the contact person at the brewery to offer a discount if you can ensure a certain number of visitors during the tour. Your group also might be able to receive complimentary appetizers or other menu items for staying a certain length of time.
Summer is a good time to visit a brewery. Just make sure you take the time necessary to plan a group outing that no one will forget for all the right reasons.
Acadia Insurance and Breweries
Acadia Insurance is a proud supporter of craft breweries throughout the Northeast. We offer a targeted insurance program for craft breweries combined with local claims and loss control services that set us apart from the competition. Our Microbrewery Insurance program is formulated for all major exposures, with coverage designed to help brewers protect their livelihood in the event of an unexpected loss.
Why Choose Acadia Insurance
As one of the largest writers of breweries in the Northeast with over 150 brewery customers, we have focused expertise in the industry and in providing customers with the insurance products, expertise and service to help brewery owners effectively manage their exposures.
There for You: Acadia Insurance
At Acadia, we’re all about helping businesses throughout the Northeast thrive. Our mission is to provide superior service and product as close to you as possible, providing you with the coverage you need to proceed with confidence.
We understand what you want most from your insurance is security and peace of mind. That means knowing you are working with an insurance provider who will support you every step of the way to help you protect your business.
With Acadia, not only can you get coverage tailored to your needs, but you will also receive support from dedicated claims professionals to guide you through the claim process in the event of a loss. That way, you know exactly what to expect. Knowing your claims professional by name and a hand shake – that’s “Closer Coverage”. Get to know more about how we work and find an agent near you by going to the Find an Agent section on our public website (www.acadiainsurance.com).
Acadia is pleased to share this material for the benefit of its customers. Please note, however, that nothing herein should be construed as either legal advice or the provision of professional consulting services. This material is for informational purposes only, and while reasonable care has been utilized in compiling this information, no warranty or representation is made as to accuracy or completeness. Recipients of this material must utilize their own judgment in implementing sound risk management practices and procedures.
