Six Warning Signs That You’re At A Bad Brewery

We’ve visited hundreds of craft breweries over the years, and the truth is most of them have been great. But with more than 9,500 US brewing operations currently online in the US, there are some places that you should avoid like the plague.

And here are five warning signs that you’re at a brewery that’s not doing things right…

The Beer Tastes… Off

Above all, the beer should taste FRESH, balanced, and intentional. If you take a sip and get weird, unintended flavors—like buttered popcorn (diacetyl), cardboard (oxidation), or straight-up funk (wild contamination)—it’s a problem. A well-run brewery should have strict quality control to avoid these flaws.

The Place Smells Like a Mop Bucket

A brewery should smell like malt, hops, and fermentation—not like a dirty dish rag. If you’re hit with the scent of stale beer, mildew, or old cleaning chemicals, it’s a sign that cleanliness isn’t a priority. We were once on a brewery tour that owed more to gas station bathroom than it should have. In brewing, sanitation is everything.

The Tap Lines Are Filthy

Ever had a beer that tastes sour or metallic when it shouldn’t? Dirty tap lines might be the culprit. If a brewery isn’t cleaning their lines regularly, bacteria and old beer residue can ruin every pint. A good brewery maintains their draft system religiously.

Every Beer Tastes the Same

Beer variety is one of the most interesting aspects of a brewery. But if every beer on the menu has the same weird aftertaste, it could mean lazy recipe development, old ingredients, or poor brewing techniques. A well-crafted lineup should have distinct, well-executed flavors across different styles.

Dirty Glasses

Just how important is clean glassware to the craft beer experience? Obviously, pretty damned important. Most of us wouldn’t want to drink ANYTHING out of a dirty glass. Bottom line; a perfectly poured beer demands a properly cleaned glass.

The Staff Has No Clue

A great brewery has a team that knows (and loves) beer. If the staff can’t tell you the difference between an IPA and a Porter, or they seem uninterested in what they’re serving, it’s a bad sign. And if the beer tender starts with Hard Seltzer recommendation, run like a dog.  Passion and knowledge go a long way in making a brewery feel welcoming and authentic.

Additional Warning Signs

We once ordered a flight of beers at this taproom and it came out in small red solo cups…not good.

If the brewery you’re visiting in January is still offering an Oktoberfest beer, exit immediately.

If you drop into a brewery taproom on a Saturday, late afternoon and there’s nobody there, more times than not there’s a reason for that.

If, in addition to the beers they brew, they also offer Bud Light, we’d be cautious.

###