Inappropriate Family Travel: Redhook Brewery With Kids
Why would I take my kids on a daytrip to someplace as clearly inappropriate as a local brewery for a family outing? Does the fact that I'm pregnant and can't drink make me a better or worse parent? Before you judge me too harshly, take a look at this video:
The Redhook Brewery is located about 30 minutes outside of Seattle in a small town called Woodinville. The bottling operation for the entire company is located here, and amazingly the production line is so automated that it takes only 4 people to run. It's a far-cry from the place Laverne and Shirley worked. The kids (who skipped the beer-tasting portion of the tour) were absolutely fascinated, and we stayed long after our tipsy tour-mates continued on their way.
After the tour, we headed back down to the brewery's kid-friendly restaurant where the kids feasted on hotdogs and chips while I devoured a salmon sandwich. During summer, the brewery opens outdoor seating at huge communal tables, making it even more family friendly.
Thinking about driving out for a day? Other family friendly activities in Woodinville include the
Related Links
Redhook Brewery
Woodinville
10 comments |
Posted on February 10, 2009 |
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Carolina on February 10, 2009 at 4:49 p.m.
I love this. So the teacher in me says this is a good way to teach your kids about machines, production, factories, goods and services. things with yeast....really it's a very educational trip.
Mara Gorman on February 10, 2009 at 7:09 p.m.
I'm sure that there are places in Germany where they give beer to children. And in fact, I also know they recommend it for pregnant women.
That aside, I'm a big fan of factories of any variety. I'm hoping to get the kids up to see the Crayola factory this spring.
wandermom on February 11, 2009 at 8:21 p.m.
I have to say, I did a double-take when I saw this blog post title: what's inappropriate about the RedHook? But, I see your point, some people may shy away from taking kids on a brewery tour.
Anyway, next time (when you're not pregnant), you should try cycling there - which we've done many times since our kids were little. You can take the Burke Gilman trail all the way to Redhook and back - with a stop half-way at the playground at Tracy Owen Station in Kenmore. Naturally, I'm assuming you'll have the kids in a trailer/trail-a-bike. It's a great summer day out.
Debbie on February 11, 2009 at 10:25 p.m.
You all crack me up - Wandermom, you're right... nobody from Seattle would think twice about taking kids to Redhook on a sunny summer day, but I think a brewery tour seems like an odd choice for a 2 yr old and a 3 yr old on the surface ;)
Once I'm not pregnant, there will definitely be beer drinking. Bike riding, not so much... that's something I consider immoral.
Kids Activities on February 12, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
Why wouldn't you take your kids to a brewery? There is what I would call "conventional kids attractions" in every city, which is great, but you get tired of visiting the same ones over and over again. I would take my daughter to a brewery if there was one in my area, especially during spring break when all the "conventional attractions" are super busy. Hats off to you for thinking outside of the box.
Debbie on February 12, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.
You all need to talk to the people who were on our tour for me! You wouldn't believe the looks I got :)
Sharlene Earnshaw on February 13, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
I did the Sam Adams Brewery tour when I was 5 months pregnant with twins (which makes you look about 8 months pregnant). I wore a huge sweatshirt so people couldn't see my belly and give me weird looks when I took a sip of my husbands beer. It was just a sip people! I would totally take my kids on a brewery tour. I think it would be very interesting for them.
Linda on February 16, 2009 at 6:58 p.m.
We've taken our kids two our three times to our local brewery. Ours is more of a history tour, and the kids get to sample some of the best root beer in the U.S. (Prohibition was good for something.)
poetloverrebelspy on March 1, 2009 at 12:24 p.m.
I wrote a post last year on <a href="http://nobudgettravel.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/itb-impressions-beer-tourism/">Beer Tourism</a> that touched on the varying "family" nature of brewery tours. I'm not much of an imbiber myself, but I've been on loads of tours because I love to learn how things are made :)
Corinne l on July 14, 2015 at 1:51 p.m.
As a new mom (4mo girl) that brews beer I do not see this as inappropriate at all, but I've had many conversations with people that do not agree at all. Brewing is such a science and going to a brewery does not imply that you drink heavily around your kids. My daughter brewed 4 beers while in my belly and was in the shop brewing her first beer with me last week in her swing. Don't hide your kids from things they can learn so much from! teach responsibility