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Original poster

Would you take a toddler to a beer festival?

80 replies

snailmail1 · 27/06/2024 10:41

before anyone says to not butt in, I know it’s not my place so I won’t say anything to him, but my friend is taking his son to a beer festival with him in a few weeks and I just thought that was strange?!

I looked it up out of interest and it’s not a family event from what I can see, nothing for kids to do or family areas. it’s just a beer fest, he’s going in the day. Just him and his son who’s 2 and a half. Not sure what his ex thinks but they live separately so unsure if she knows.

is this a bit odd or is it a normal thing to take children to? I just wouldn’t think that would be appropriate but that’s me…

OP posts:
tamaribest · 27/06/2024 10:43

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tamaribest · 27/06/2024 10:43

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Arlanymor · 27/06/2024 10:44

There’s one near me in a few weeks and the ticket includes five hours of unlimited craft beer, so if it’s the same set up then no I wouldn’t think it is an advisable place to take a toddler.

Procrastinates · 27/06/2024 10:45

No and I would absolutely judge someone who did, especially if they were going alone. Surely the main point of a beer festival is to drink the beer. So he's going to be drinking whilst in sole charge of a 2 year old? To be honest I'd be very surprised if they let him in, our local beer festival is over 18s only.

tamaribest · 27/06/2024 10:47

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OP posts:
Janehasamane · 27/06/2024 10:49

Depends on how long he is staying for and how much he will drink.

Hillarious · 27/06/2024 10:50

We used to take our kids to the local beer festival, but there was a children's area and they had to be off-site before 8.00 pm

CollyBobble · 27/06/2024 10:50

Apart from it being die the pleasure of the adult taking him and not the child's benefit, if the child cries or has a tantrum then that's unfair on the other festival goers who have arranged childcare to come to an adult event.

Arlanymor · 27/06/2024 10:52

@Procrastinates To be honest I'd be very surprised if they let him in, our local beer festival is over 18s only.

Very good point, ours is 18+ too due to licensing requirements.

Icanttakethisanymore · 27/06/2024 10:53

Not really any different to taking your kid to a pub garden while you have a couple of drinks with friends I suppose. Obviously getting drunk whilst looking after a child would be irresponsible wherever you are but I wouldn't see the beer festival itself as an issue.

Procrastinates · 27/06/2024 10:53

snailmail1 · 27/06/2024 10:49

Ok it’s this one - https://ebf.camra.org.uk/

It does have baby change but I just wasn’t convinced that’s all.

I'm really surprised they allow children. It doesn't seem like a suitable place to have children at all.

Peonies12 · 27/06/2024 10:55

Well we've done this! Only day time, I can't see how it's different to a usual music festival. And it definitely didn't have baby change...

Tattletwat · 27/06/2024 10:55

Nope should take the child, it will be busy, the father will probably expect people to tiptoe around the child.

It's about drinking and having fun. There is precious few adult only spaces left it's a shame we can't have beer festivals as one.

sleekcat · 27/06/2024 10:56

Definitely not. The general idea is to try a lot of beers. Plus the toddler will be bored and hate it so it wouldn't be enjoyable. It's not a recipe for a good day out at all.

Blarn · 27/06/2024 10:56

No. Food festival with beer fine. Just drinking all day absolutely not. How will he have a good time drinking and looking after a toddler, what would the point of going even be? A toddler in busy crowds of drunk people will be horrible, both of mine got very overwhelmed and upset in crowds.

A tiny baby would be ok, a moving around, curious toddler no.

Janehasamane · 27/06/2024 10:58

Blarn · 27/06/2024 10:56

No. Food festival with beer fine. Just drinking all day absolutely not. How will he have a good time drinking and looking after a toddler, what would the point of going even be? A toddler in busy crowds of drunk people will be horrible, both of mine got very overwhelmed and upset in crowds.

A tiny baby would be ok, a moving around, curious toddler no.

He is likely meeting friends and possibly may only have a couple, kids are allowed until early evening.

Procrastinates · 27/06/2024 10:58

Peonies12 · 27/06/2024 10:55

Well we've done this! Only day time, I can't see how it's different to a usual music festival. And it definitely didn't have baby change...

Edited

Of course it's different. A music festival is to enjoy the music with no expectation of drinking but alcohol available to those who want it. The whole point of a beer festival is to drink beer? That's not exactly sensible when in sole charge of a toddler?

Janehasamane · 27/06/2024 11:01

Procrastinates · 27/06/2024 10:58

Of course it's different. A music festival is to enjoy the music with no expectation of drinking but alcohol available to those who want it. The whole point of a beer festival is to drink beer? That's not exactly sensible when in sole charge of a toddler?

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Again though, it is highly likely he is going for the social element and will only habe a couple. Going to a beer festival doesn’t mean he has to get wankered.

Mt563 · 27/06/2024 11:04

Janehasamane · 27/06/2024 11:01

Again though, it is highly likely he is going for the social element and will only habe a couple. Going to a beer festival doesn’t mean he has to get wankered.

Show quote history

Yeah, for me a craft beer festivals is about enjoying good beer, rather than getting drunk. I can definitely go and have a couple of halves or thirds, not be drunk but have had a lovely time.

LolaJ87 · 27/06/2024 11:07

No, I wouldn't. I've brought mine to a family friendly music festival but not something like this. It's an adult environment and aside from anything else it would probably be boring to the toddler and bored toddlers are not good company.

Peonies12 · 27/06/2024 11:07

Procrastinates · 27/06/2024 10:58

Of course it's different. A music festival is to enjoy the music with no expectation of drinking but alcohol available to those who want it. The whole point of a beer festival is to drink beer? That's not exactly sensible when in sole charge of a toddler?

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Thanks for the judgement. We actually went to try a few beers rather than getting drunk, it is possible you know. We went with our NCT group.

Hoppinggreen · 27/06/2024 11:07

In The Uk no but I would in Germany for example and have.
We went to a Fest in Germany when DD was around 3. She was dressed in a Dirndl (DH German) and was given a Euro by lots and lots of people for dancing.
I was pg so not drinking but it was a family event anyway.

Reugny · 27/06/2024 11:08

Camra beer festivals tend to not have people getting drunk.

However the ones I've been to, mostly organised by an older friend, don't let in under 18s.

It will be boring for a toddler, and if the kid was like my DD they would be running around.

Procrastinates · 27/06/2024 11:10

Janehasamane · 27/06/2024 11:01

Again though, it is highly likely he is going for the social element and will only habe a couple. Going to a beer festival doesn’t mean he has to get wankered.

Show quote history

Well of course it doesn't but nor do we know he won't go and get wankered. Although I question whether he's after just a good social time why choose a beer festival it seems an unusual choice to attend on his own with a 2 year old. I presume he's not going with friends or the OP would have mentioned that.