I might consider it after I retire. Too risky for me personally based on the local population where I live to try it. There are a lot of biker type bars around here and a local brewery just wouldn't fare well I believe.
However, it could work where your at. I had toyed with that idea when I used to travel a lot on business and make a effort to try and visit as many breweries as I could. One thing I don't think works well in brewery type of setups is buffet's. Beer and buffet's just don't mingle well with the family type of atmosphere and you won't get a lot of family business and face it, who does buffet? Families with kids.
The ones I have seen successful were the ones that had a speciality and they stick with that. Pizza for example. Blackhorse saloon in Clarksville Tennessee has some out of the world pizza period. The Blue Dog Cafe in Santa Fe New Mexico has some killer mexican type foods. But in general, it seems like pizza is the winner. I had always dreamed that if I had a brewery, I wouldn't concentrate on meals, but rather really cool finger foods because at a brewery, you don't want your customers getting filled up on food, you want them to enjoy the BREW. So I have like some killer nachos, great salsa dips, chicken strips, grilled steak or fish kind of finger food, etc. etc. of course the ol' standard....burgers, brats.
I'd also have a standing policy that the designated driver get's free soda and 10% off. Believe me, I've seen this work well.
You also need LOTS OF T.V.'s. Face it, there is so much media going around these days that you can't afford to be out of communication. I'd also try and open up like a T-mobile Hot spot or what ever they are called where as the cell phone user has unlimited access to emails and other cell phone stuff that you usually can't get roaming around.
OF course, hire cute college chicks.