The craft beer scene has been growing rapidly in recent years with the number of breweries nationwide exploding in the last decade. According to the Brewers Association, the craft brewing industry contributed more $79.1 billion to the US Economy in 2018 and was responsible for more than 550,000 jobs. The affection for craft beer, though arguably past its most aggressive growth, continues to expand; and the Midwest is no exception.
Those planning meetings and retreats are taking notice and you should too. There is a lot to like about these venues and plenty of reasons to incorporate one into your next event. The locations vary in size and atmosphere. From quaint microbreweries to huge industrial-style venues, there is an atmosphere and space for beer drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Curious? These are a few things to look for and ask about.
Brewery Tours
It’s hard to find a brewery without both a great origin story and a tour to tell about it. These venues usually trace back to a grocer’s garage or a quirky professor’s kitchen. From these humble beginnings, a brew then a business was formed. The backstory varies, but it might just be the inspiration your team needs to do big things in their own careers. Teambuilding? Ask the venue to ensure the guides understand your goals and can incorporate that into their tour.
Those planning meetings and retreats are taking notice and you should too. There is a lot to like about these venues and plenty of reasons to incorporate one into your next event. The locations vary in size and atmosphere. From quaint microbreweries to huge industrial-style venues, there is an atmosphere and space for beer drinkers and non-drinkers alike. Curious? These are a few things to look for and ask about.
Brewery Tours
It’s hard to find a brewery without both a great origin story and a tour to tell about it. These venues usually trace back to a grocer’s garage or a quirky professor’s kitchen. From these humble beginnings, a brew then a business was formed. The backstory varies, but it might just be the inspiration your team needs to do big things in their own careers. Teambuilding? Ask the venue to ensure the guides understand your goals and can incorporate that into their tour.
Entertainment
These are places created to have fun and settle it. Many double as performance venues and regularly host bands and entertainers. In short, these places are ready to help connect your speakers and laptop, but they are also prepared to put on a big, memorable show at the end of the day. Check out Rapids Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. It’s housed in the former Rialto Theater which dates back to 1934 and has been renovated with the past in mind.
Tastings and Teambuilding
Personality tests have long been a building block of team building exercises. Everyone takes the test to see where they fit. Moderators split the test takers into groups - there are discussions about the “why” and each type might contribute.
Here’s a fun twist. Have your group do a blind tasting then group them according to their preference. Have groups brainstorm what traits they have in common and how those traits help them strengthen the group at as a whole. Sometimes just letting them know they have this one thing in common is enough to get the conversation going. I’m Team IPA.
Chicago’s Goose Island Barrel House is a gorgeous intimate setting for good conversation.
Food
Many of these establishments have great restaurants connected to them. Whether its gourmet pizza or fine dining, these venues are set up to serve food to large (or small) numbers of people. Check out the Knuckle Brewing Company in Sturgis, SD. Yes, THAT Sturgis. The Brewery annually helps host the 500,000+ Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attendees. They are used to accommodating crowds. (And I can personally confirm that their flatbread pizzas are incredible.)
Offseason/Weekday Discounts
Many were built to host large parties and weddings, so they don’t have to stretch far to accommodate your corporate needs. This is especially true if you are scheduling events during the week or the area’s off season. If you’re looking to cut-cost, this is worth asking about.
Obviously, you should be sensitive to the crowd attending - and tastings or drinking should never be mandatory. But if you know your crowd and are ready to flip the “business meeting” on its head – a brewery venue is a great place to tap into the creative and form new connections between your attendees.
In short, consider incorporating one of these eclectic venues into your event itinerary. Cheers!
These are places created to have fun and settle it. Many double as performance venues and regularly host bands and entertainers. In short, these places are ready to help connect your speakers and laptop, but they are also prepared to put on a big, memorable show at the end of the day. Check out Rapids Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. It’s housed in the former Rialto Theater which dates back to 1934 and has been renovated with the past in mind.
Tastings and Teambuilding
Personality tests have long been a building block of team building exercises. Everyone takes the test to see where they fit. Moderators split the test takers into groups - there are discussions about the “why” and each type might contribute.
Here’s a fun twist. Have your group do a blind tasting then group them according to their preference. Have groups brainstorm what traits they have in common and how those traits help them strengthen the group at as a whole. Sometimes just letting them know they have this one thing in common is enough to get the conversation going. I’m Team IPA.
Chicago’s Goose Island Barrel House is a gorgeous intimate setting for good conversation.
Food
Many of these establishments have great restaurants connected to them. Whether its gourmet pizza or fine dining, these venues are set up to serve food to large (or small) numbers of people. Check out the Knuckle Brewing Company in Sturgis, SD. Yes, THAT Sturgis. The Brewery annually helps host the 500,000+ Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attendees. They are used to accommodating crowds. (And I can personally confirm that their flatbread pizzas are incredible.)
Offseason/Weekday Discounts
Many were built to host large parties and weddings, so they don’t have to stretch far to accommodate your corporate needs. This is especially true if you are scheduling events during the week or the area’s off season. If you’re looking to cut-cost, this is worth asking about.
Obviously, you should be sensitive to the crowd attending - and tastings or drinking should never be mandatory. But if you know your crowd and are ready to flip the “business meeting” on its head – a brewery venue is a great place to tap into the creative and form new connections between your attendees.
In short, consider incorporating one of these eclectic venues into your event itinerary. Cheers!