Ohio brewery bans children under 16 over ‘irresponsible parents’ putting business at risk

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WKRC) – An Ohio brewery banned children under the age of 16 over “irresponsible parents” putting the business at risk.

The Forest City Brewery in Cleveland, Ohio issued a statement on Facebook last Saturday, in which founder and general manager Jay Demagall announced the business would no longer allow children under the age of 16 on the premises.

In the statement, Demagall said the brewery had “tried to implement policies that would allow children to be at the brewery as long as they were supervised by a guardian” over the last eight-and-a-half years, but due to “a few bad apples, and irresponsible parents,” the business would no longer allow children under 16 in.

I know this is a disappointing decision for many of you who come here and act in a responsible manner, but we simply can no longer afford to act as babysitters for the irresponsible parents that continue to put their kids, our customers and our business at risk,” Demagall wrote. “Simply put, we are a brewery. Our business is to serve great beer, food and other alcoholic beverages to ADULTS. Quite frankly, kids were never a part of our business plan or our vibe.”

Demagall added that the brewery’s staff wasn’t “equipped to monitor or babysit kids whose parents treat the brewery like a playground.”

“Thanks for your understanding as we make this difficult decision,” Demagall wrote.

Many Facebook users responded positively to the statement.

“As a retired 911 operator and EMT with EMS City of Cleveland I applaud you on this decision parents today use establishments as daycares it’s not excepted for any children under 16 to be in a drinking environment! Thank you to the owners sometimes you have to lead and people that don’t like it sorry you have Chuckie Cheese or the library as other options,” a Facebook user wrote on the post.

“Thank you! Nothing worse than going out for an ADULT beverage, and to be annoyed by all these Gen Z parents who think it’s ‘cute’ to let their kids run amok,” another wrote.

Some users expressed disappointment, however, with one user writing the policy change would be make visits more difficult.

“I’m sad that bad parents have ruined it for the rest of us. It makes sense, I guess, but disappointed nonetheless. Much harder to stop in now, having to have everything pre-planned,” a Facebook user wrote.

“May you prosper in the loss of many family patrons,” another wrote.