Should you take children to a beer festival?

Last month, there was a local Rail and Ale festival taking place atnarby Market Bosworth. I wondered whether a beer festival really would be appropriate for children. Surely it would just be full of old men getting sloshed as they worked their way through the 80 odd barrels. Never the less, we had nothing else to do so we thought we’d pop along for the afternoon.

Vintage steam engine

As we only wanted to stay for the daytime not for the evening entertainment, it was really cheap entry. Lined up as we went in were lots of antique steam engines all puffing away. They poured out smoke and heat and smelt fantastic.. And The girls were fascinated and loved looking at these.

In the main tent, you could buy or hire commemorative tankards in which to sample the brews. There was a Pimms stand and loads of ciders and perriers for the non ale drinkers. The atmosphere was very welcoming and we had fun looking at all the ale labels and numbers and choosing which ones Daddy should try.

Beer festival

For me, as the designated driver, there was a little cafe serving snacks and hot drinks. I opted for a cream tea which was a little odd for the occasion but suited me perfectly. Two littlies were more than happy to help mummy eat the scone.

As a fab bonus, this event was held on a working rail line with vintage steam trains running between the two closest station. We took the opportunity to take the girls on their first train ride and it was fantastic. The individual carriages were in great shape and we all practiced our best train noises.

Train carriage

clickerty clack clickerty clack – wooh woo wooh woo – chug chug chug

At the next station we had half an hour to look around the tiny museum, visit the ticket office and explore the train before we headed back. There were quite a few families and the atmosphere was lovely. Clearly we weren’t going with the intention of getting trollied. In my opinion, so long as there is a responsible sober parent, I can’t see why these events shouldn’t include children.

As we were leaving a bouncy castle was being set up. This was for the evening and following days I presume. I’m not sure I’d take my toddlers to the evening event as I’m sure as the amount of ale sampled increased so people’s inhibitions would decrease. Maybe I’m wrong and it’d be fine.

What do you think? Would you take your child to an ale or beer festival? What about an evening event?

Rail ale festival

 

Market Bosworth Rail Ale Festival 2017

26 thoughts on “Should you take children to a beer festival?

  1. Good points – teaching responsible drinking is a skill I guess they’ll need to learn but maybe when they’re a little older.

  2. These events are great for kids, they often put some amazing entertainment on for them! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx

    1. I’m intrigued to know what the evening would offer and whether it’d be child friendly.

  3. Like you, I’d be a bit apprehensive to take the kids to a beer festival, but the Rail Ale festival looked great! If others had a working train, I might think about taking them!

    Thanks for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx

    1. The train definitely was the clincher.

  4. Why not it looks a fun place to visit and dad gets a beer Win win ! Looks like you all had a fun time #triumphanttales

    1. It’s true, Daddy wasn’t complaining.

  5. looks like a good time. I think that more and more these types of festivals are trying to make them more family friendly. No sense turning away a whole group of customers just so a few oafs can get hammered. #triumphanttales

    1. Our experience was very family friendly. I’ll have to tryout a few more.

  6. I would have no issues taking my children to something like this as all the railway stuff means it was more a day out which also had a beer tent etc. Like you though, I would limit it to the day and avoid the evening not just because of the beer but because they’d be too tired to cope with the crowds etc. Looks like it was a great day though! #HumpDayLinky

    1. It’s true, mine would be too tired by evening but maybe when they are a bit older if it looks family friendly.

  7. This looks like a great festival! I agree, daytime is probably more family friendly and best to leave before the evenings events get into full swing! We’ve often not stayed out for a meal in certain places if its a weekend as people come out drunk or start drinking and getting loud and thats the last thing you want to expose your little ones to on a family day out!
    Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.

    1. We are always home early too.

  8. Totally agree

  9. I think most of these type of events are family friendly now. I would take my kids, but then they are a bit older.
    #TriumphantTales

    1. I’m sure they are. It was just an event I hadn’t considered before.

  10. there’s no reason not to take your children to most events, everywhere caters for children these days, i probably wouldn’t have taken my kids to an evening or night event due to getting them to sleep and impacting on my enjoyment of the event, but i tend to find when events are run during the day that they always cater for families #triumphanttales

    1. I was pleasantly suprised how family friendly is sort of event was.

  11. I wouldn’t have thought it was a good idea as I would expect them to be bored but this one sounds like it was more of a family event that also did beer which would be better
    Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes 🙂
    Debbie

    1. We had a fun family afternoon and definitely was more than just beer.

  12. Yes I would take all three of mine to both – It’s character building! #humpdaylinky

    1. Very true but I guess I was wondering about the atmosphere. I shouldn’t have have worried. It was great.

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