The local taproom has become one of my favorite places. There’s just something great about spending a few hours with family and friends at a brewery. It’s a relaxing spot where the world seems to slow down just a little bit. But despite my love for the taproom, we need more craft beer bars.

It would be easy to look past the concept of a craft beer bar but they fill a critical spot in the industry. While craft beer appears to be everywhere these days, there are still plenty of areas that have voids. In addition, there are many bars and restaurants that fail to properly serve and educate about craft beer.

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What Is A Craft Beer Bar?

Let’s discuss what a craft beer bar is just to make sure we are all on the same page.

A Craft Beer Bar:

• Specializes In The Sale Of Craft Beer
• Often Offers Both Draft And Packaged Beers
• Has Staff That Understands Craft Beer Styles

A Craft Beer Bar Isn’t:

• A Brewery – They Do Not Make Any Of Their Own Beer
• A Traditional Bar Even If They Offer Some Wine And Spirits
• Just For Craft Beer Fans

When I think of a bar, I often think of a place that has poor lighting and serves macro beer by the pitcher. Outside of nice cocktail bars, I’ve never found the traditional bar to be a place I felt welcomed.

Craft beer bars often have the same friendly, community focused environment that you’d find at a taproom – just without the brewing equipment and aroma of beer brewing.

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What Makes Craft Beer Bars So Great?

Variety And Selection

Craft beer bars are specialty shops so they offer a very large variety of high quality beer. And unlike your local brewery, they offer beer from many different breweries.

That’s one of their key advantages. Compared to breweries, they offer many different craft beer brands. And unlike “normal” bars, you won’t find any macro beers on tap.

This is a critical distinction because most bars will have more than half of their tap handles occupied by Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite and other that are very similar.

In addition to a large number of tap handles pouring craft beer, they offer even more in bottles and cans. They easily represent more breweries than any other place you’ll find.

Education

For many craft beer fans, they still have lots to learn about the beverage that they love. This can make many a little hesitant to order something new or different.

Craft beer bars should be staffed with people that know and love craft beer. They actively teach their customers about craft beer by asking questions and providing information.

There is no better way to learn about beer styles than to drink them while it is being explained to you. This is possible at a craft beer bar where the breweries and styles represented will ensure something for everyone.

You will find that many of the servers (aka beeristas, beertenders, beer servers) at a craft beer bar are Cicerone Certified Beer Servers. Learn more about that program here.

Reaching Non-Craft Drinkers

Not everyone has been to a brewery/taproom. I often forget this because I’ve been to so many and love the experience.

For many, it may seem odd to go to a brewery, “Why do I need to go to the place where they make the beer?”

And if you’ve never been to a taproom then this probably makes sense to you. But those same people probably understand why they would go to a bar. Meaning craft beer can reach beer fans that don’t spend time at breweries.

Furthermore, craft beer bars can reach customers that don’t like beer because they often offer wine and liquor options. This can get them in the door and maybe they find a beer that they want to try while there.

In addition, there are areas that do not have a local brewery yet. This is a prime location for a craft beer bar as they can bring high quality beer options to an people that don’t have many other options.

Quality

Craft Beer is in more places than ever before but all too often it really isn’t presented in the best fashion.

Yes, you can get something that resembles craft beer at the local wing place but there’s a good chance it’s Macro Beer’s version of craft beer.

On top of that, are we sure they maintain cleanliness standards?

And what about the places still serving beer in frozen pint glasses?

You won’t find issues like this at good craft beer bars as they understand that proper serving is the best way to ensure the consumer enjoys their beer.

In fact, many promote how often they clean their tap system as a means of proving they care about quality.

Craft Beer To-go Sales

Traditional bars are designed for on-site consumption of alcohol. There is no opportunity to buy beer to take home with you.

But at most craft beer bars they offer to-go sales of packaged beer. This can be bottled/canned or in vessels like growlers, howlers and crowlers.

The ability to sell beer to-go allows the business to better serve a wider audience. Because there are times you want to drink at the bar but other times you’ll want to head home.

Furthermore, for those new to craft beer, they can try a few things while at the craft beer bar then take some of the same style home with them. It’s a great experience.

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Why We Need More Craft Beer Bars

It’s simple . . . if craft beer is going to continue to grow, more people have to fall in love with it.

But they will only do that if they like what they drink and have a good time while doing it. While I would argue that the local taproom is the best option, not everyone is close to a brewery or wants to go to one.

Craft beer bars offer the best variety and selection of beer around. And their staff is prepared to help you understand it and experience it in the way it was intended.

And once they’ve found a quality craft beer that they enjoy, the craft beer bar can often sell them some bottled/canned beer to take home.

Providing a complete experience is what increases the likelihood that the customer will have a good time, want to come back and order craft beer in the future.

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Craft Beer Bars To Check Out

Nationwide

• Max’s Taproom – Baltimore
• The Casual Pint – Various Location Including 3 In Cincinnati
• Churchkey – Washington, D.C.
• The Porter Beer Bar – Atlanta

See The Best Craft Beer Bar By State According To CraftBeer.com

Cincinnati

• Higher Gravity – Northside
• Marty’s Hops And Vine – College Hill
• Lucky Turtle – Finneytown
• Growler House – Walnut Hills
• HalfCut – OTR
• The Brass Tap – Clifton & Florence

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Final Thoughts

The bottom line is the craft beer community can only grow if more people experience and fall in love with craft beer.

Craft beer bars are the perfect middle ground to do exactly that. They meet the high demands of the picky craft beer drinker while also helping others become introduced to great beer.

What Are Your Favorite Craft Beer Bars?