Brewing with kids?

[BubbaK]

My wife just unloaded the camera the other day and there are pictures of my 9 and 11 Y/O boys on bottling day. One is filling and the other is handing bottles.. Then more pictures of them capping. We've got a whole system going. They both get to sample each of the batches with the leftover that doesn't fill a bottle and the first crack after carbonation....

 

[DubbelDach]

Give me a few months and I can let you know first hand. He's only 8wks right now, so he's just kinda hangin' out.

My first is 7 weeks today!

Hypothetically, would I get in trouble for saying I have let my 9 year old taste the hydro samples? If, in fact, I did that?

I would say no, if it's pre-pitching. It's not beer yet. It's grain tea!

I make a batch of home brewed root beer from time to time with the kids, they really like it........ I'm getting into kegging now and considering keeping homemade root beer on tap for them as well.

I will definitely do this with Maddie... And I think that someday, putting sodas on tap will be my excuse to get "keezerfied". I only have two taps now, and I need both, lol.

 

[BioBeing]

I would say no, if it's pre-pitching. It's not beer yet. It's grain tea!

Oh no, it has yeast.

I mean, it would, hypothetically

 

[Sigafoos]

I've been thinking about this a lot, seeing as there'll be a Minifoos by the end of the year. Neither of my parents drank much, and never in front of me, so I don't have any experiences to go by.

Like everyone else has said, the biggest thing to do is to take away the danger and mystery. I have a friend who lets his kid take sips of his beer (or just dip his finger in if it's stronger). He likes beer, and he knows daddy likes beer, and so he knows it's something that's good but that he can't have much of right now. He's going to be a well adjusted kid.

 

[TXCrash]

I was raised by a father who's never had a full beer in his life. I did some stupid alcohol stuff when I was younger. I had the forbidden fruit syndrome pretty bad...

My daughter (4) kinda helps brew. She'll grab something I need, then run back to playing on her bike or trike. When she asks for a sip of beer or wine she often gets one. She understands that she can't have more than a sip because "then I'd be drunk!"

I figure it this way - with her mother's blood, she's going to like to drink. I'd rather her NOT be the girl passed out at the party when she's 16... The rule will be - drink what you'd like at home - drink away from home (irresponsibly) and you'll have issues...

Reminds me... my happy ass needs to brew this weekend... the pipeline's drying up!

 

[IrregularPulse]

I have a 9 month old. When he is old enough I can't wait for him to hang out during brew day. I'll let him taste the hydro samples of course, No different then drinking Koolaid (Both sugar water). And when he's 5 or so if he helps on brew day I'll let him sip the final product. I want to de-criminalize alcohol and make it as un-special s I can for him while still teaching him to respect it. and SWMBO agree. It will also help him to see mommy and daddy drinking it on a regular basis with meals and what not and not being drunk. but he will also, I'm sure, witness us individually at some points drinking more than usual and acting "silly". I think that when he's 10 or so (no rush on that!!) if wanted a half glass of beer with dinner I wouldn't have a problem with that.

 

[-TH-]

I have 4 kids, ages 2,3,5, & 7. Needless to say I don't brew nearly as often as I'd like. I build a baracade around the burner for afternoon sessions but its so difficult staying focused on brewing I'm thinking about starting after their bedtime. Our kids want to try tasting sometimes but we just say its a grown up drink. That works for now. BTW there's nothing cuter than a 2yo saying the word beer.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

I have a 5yr old and a 2yr old... my 5 yr old helped to plant my hops, checks on them every day without provocation, and enjoys running the drill to crush the grains.

From the moment he started stringing words together, almost anything that daddy drinks is "beer". My 2yr old daughter on the other hand calls my beer "juice" ... "daddy's juice".

They come into my brew stash, check it out, but being an indoor brewer normally means mommy and the kiddos are outside or otherwise preoccupied as mommy doesn't care for the smell.

There are ways to integrate them... I believe they will help you figure out in what ways those might be.

 

[HellenicHomeBrewer]

I have a 3 y/o and an 8 month old. I have brewed with my 3 y/o around but I keep her away from the dangerous things, glass, hot water and the like. I let her sample it too.. I let her dip her finger in the foam for taste and even take sips. I suprisingly found out she like the bitter stuff more ! Interesting, because she doesn't eat chocolate! I will note however the she likes wine better than beer.
I will not shield my kids from this as it is a part of life and denying them complete access and ability to experience makes it only worse later on.

 

[BADS197]

I'm brewing with my 4yr old daughter this weekend. She usually isn't around but it's daddy/daughter weekend and most likely she will just be content with watching micky mouse cartoons and maybe opening a pack of yeast or pouring malt extract in.... most likely the former.

She doesn't drink soda at all, hasn't even tried it yet... so trying beer wont be of any interest to her. If she wanted to try it.... hmmm i dont think I'd let her. I tell her it's a drink for adults, followed by a million "why?"'s

 

[sean6247]

My children are 20,18, and 14; all boys. the youngest one helps out a lot with the bottling, sanitizing, and capping. They have seen their mother and I drink throughout their lives, so it appears to be no big deal to them. They do not do half the **** I did when I was their age. I give the oldest beer whenever we have people over, and he seems to hate beer. At least he never finishes one. The youngest has become an excellent bar tender and a master pourer of beer. He claims to have never taken a drink of beer, but I think he has and I am not that concerned. If he wants to sample some beer I would let him. He really loves poker night, he charges a quarter per to keep the beer glasses full, as the night goes on those quarters become dollars. The last poker game I had he made $80. He never shuts-up about the next poker game.

 

[-TH-]

They do not do half the **** I did when I was their age

But do you REALLY know that? Just kidding sounds like you have good kids. I love the bartending at poker night idea - that's very cool!

 

[Jaymo]

At our club meetings many of the members bring their kids, who hang out and play in the other room while we have meetings/drinking. When we brew together they are around and give us stick on beer tattoos. They've all been around it enough that it's not a big deal to them.

 

[Aleforge]

As far as legality goes.... most states allow minors to drink at home under the supervision of their parents. Ethically..... I personally see nothing wrong with a child being educated in the entire process of brewing. In a similar way that a majority of kids that are raised around guns and taught how to properly handle and respect them, children brought up around alcohol will also realize it's not something to be abused.

My 6 year old helps me quite regularly when I brew. He helps with the grinding, hop additions, and yeast pitching. Just can't figure out why he always seems to disappear when the cleaning starts.

Brewing can also be quite an educational experience for any aged child. Be it the actual science of starch conversions, measurements, or as simple as instilling green principles (compost, reuse of water, hop gardening, etc.). Just don't shove it down their throats, you'll be able to bring up brew buddies of your own.

I've already told my boys that when they turn 18, we're going to make a batch of mead and a batch of barleywine for them to open on their 21st birthday.

Missouri
as of 1/1/2008
return to top
Furnishing of Alcohol to Minors

Furnishing is prohibited WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION(S):
• parent/guardian
• one or more specified religious, educational, or medical purposes

I guess that means my kids can taste my homebrew and its legal. Although they don't just nice to know.

APIS - Summary of Underage Drinking Laws

 

[Sigafoos]

At first I was pissed that NYS didn't have the parent/guardian clause, but then it also said that 'Consumption is not explicitly prohibited' and that it's ok to possess it if it's with a parent.

 

[Ken_CT]

my 8 and 5 year old boys love to help with bottling. The 5 year old works the bottle washer, the 8 year old fills them up with the bottle filler. I cap them. My wife just rolls her eyes cause all they want to do is help daddy.

 

[yeasty]

my 8 year old son loves to help. my daughter could care less. my son is a joy to have around when i brew and he enjoys hangin with dad. i dont see anything wrong with it at all. he even had to fill out a worksheet one week during "no tv week" at school stating what he did during the week instead of watching tv. it just so happened that i brewed 3 batches that week ! not sure what the teacher thought....and dont really care. i love the "bonding" with my son while we do it.......i know in a few years he wont want to hang with me much so i will take it when i can. hopefully building lots of great memories !!!!!

 

[FullDraw]

My two boys don't seem to care that much. (3 and 5). I brewed up a batch Friday with just the 3 of us. The Fiver was curious what every ingredient was and the 3er thought the hops smelled stinky like a skunk. It was a successful brew and there will be many more. Things will be a little different once I'm fully outside with the open flames. I swear, if a kickball lands in my keggle, somewhere, a muppet will die.

 

[Homercidal]

My 9 yo daughter loves to help. She can't stay for the whole thing usually, cause it's long and kind of boring at spots, but she is good at crushing grain and is usually pretty interested in the process. Next time I brew she is going to get the full explanation of what happens during the brewing process. She only knows the basics right now. She's had a taste or two of beer at bottling time and doesn't care for it at all.

My 14 yo daughter has no interest in making beer at all, and has strictly refused to taste any beer I have offered. I think the anti-alcohol program at school (and possibly my baptist sister) have likely convinced her that she will die if she takes a sip. Not that I really care if she drinks beer or any alcohol. That's her choice.

 

[The Pol]

I am pretty sure if I gave my daughter a sip of an IPA, she would NEVER want to drink beer ever again. Kids dont find things like that nearly as tasty as we do.

 

[LandofOZ]

Ahhh YES, I LOVE KIDS, yes I do, But only if they are well done

 

[the_bird]

My 14 yo daughter has no interest in making beer at all, and has strictly refused to taste any beer I have offered. I think the anti-alcohol program at school (and possibly my baptist sister) have likely convinced her that she will die if she takes a sip. Not that I really care if she drinks beer or any alcohol. That's her choice.

See, that's what would scare the hell out of me; how's she going to react when she's away to college, ends up at her first keg party, and realizes that beer ISN'T going to kill her? Is she going to be able to drink responsibly, or is she going to be one of those kids who drinks herself to dangerous levels because she doesn't know any better?

 

[IrregularPulse]

I am pretty sure if I gave my daughter a sip of an IPA, she would NEVER want to drink beer ever again. Kids dont find things like that nearly as tasty as we do.

Yep, It's just natural tastebuds. They favor sweet when young and change to favoring bitter as you get older. Although I still love cake....

See, that's what would scare the hell out of me; how's she going to react when she's away to college, ends up at her first keg party, and realizes that beer ISN'T going to kill her? Is she going to be able to drink responsibly, or is she going to be one of those kids who drinks herself to dangerous levels because she doesn't know any better?

This is why I want to make sure my kid is around it. But just because his daughter has no desire to drink it doesn't mean he can't educate her on the truths and responsibility of it for when she does decide to try it. I'd like to think we're all promoters of alcohol responsibility around here.

 

[Sigafoos]

See, that's what would scare the hell out of me; how's she going to react when she's away to college, ends up at her first keg party, and realizes that beer ISN'T going to kill her? Is she going to be able to drink responsibly, or is she going to be one of those kids who drinks herself to dangerous levels because she doesn't know any better?

My 7 year old little brother in law was over last week... he had been really into the idea of me liking beer (to the point of making me seem like an alcoholic if you didn't know me), but this time he was telling me how beer is bad and kills your brain so I shouldn't drink it anymore. Gee, thanks school.

 

[Homercidal]

See, that's what would scare the hell out of me; how's she going to react when she's away to college, ends up at her first keg party, and realizes that beer ISN'T going to kill her? Is she going to be able to drink responsibly, or is she going to be one of those kids who drinks herself to dangerous levels because she doesn't know any better?

No, I would be worried if she never got exposed to beer or alcohol as a kid, like I was. As it is, she has been offered a sample a couple of times and there is beer in the house and available if she has a desire.

This past weekend she is on the phone with a friend who is having a party next weekend. She comes in the family room and says that her friend wants to know if they can borrow the camper for the party. (!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!)

This gets up asking "How many kids are going to be at this party??" "WHo is going to be at this party?" "Who's watching the kids at this party?"

and No, you can't borrow the camper. (It's rude to even ask). However, once we know more details of the party (supposedly there will be chaperones and no alcohol) then MAYBE we will let them borrow a tent.

We have a long discussion about how us parents are not naive about teenage drinking and smoking and I get the idea that she had not even thought that stuff was possible at this party. Well, kiddo, you're getting older and you will have to be aware of that stuff and know what to do before you're on the spot.

I trust her close friends, but at a party like this, you get friends of friends of friends and all bets are out the window.

Anywho, this is about brewing with kids and I love it when my little one is interested, and if not, I am not going to force them to participate.

 

[jds]

MY six-year-old likes to help crush grain, although she doesn't like the smell of the HBS much. She likes to come outside while I'm brewing, but would rather ride her scooter or throw the frisbee around than help brew. It's all good.

I don't think she's asked to try the beer yet, but she's in an incredibly picky phase right now, so I'm not surprised. I would let her taste, but SWMBO probably wouldn't like it much.

 

[ChshreCat]

See, that's what would scare the hell out of me; how's she going to react when she's away to college, ends up at her first keg party, and realizes that beer ISN'T going to kill her? Is she going to be able to drink responsibly, or is she going to be one of those kids who drinks herself to dangerous levels because she doesn't know any better?

I'm already teaching my daughter quality over quantity. She'll be the only college girl at the kegger sipping a glass of belgian strong while the other kinds are pouring Icehouse down the beer bong.

 

[Flounder]

My son is three yrs old and when I was strictly an indoor brewer I would only to do my brewing when he was at the grandparents house. Too much confusion going on and I dont trust his him to be as mindful of boiling pots as I am. Now that I have moved outdoors he kind of hangs around on the swing set or in the sandbox and I will call him over when it is time to add something to the kettle. Even then I am very careful and make sure that I have complete control over his little body when I let him toss in some hops or whatnot. he thinks it's a blast and runs around screaming about how he is cooking with daddy.

 

[BADS197]

Update: My daughter just helped me de-label all the bottles and added ingredients to my wort for the brews this weekend.

Only thing I kept from her was what she was cooking. Mommy doesnt need to know that her daughter was making beer at 4yrs old.

 

[Brocster]

My 7 year old daughter loves to brew with me! It is such a cool thing to hang with her and do this. She knows that what we are making is for adults only, but she just likes hanging with dad. That will change soon enough, so I will enjoy it while I can.

She asks all kinds of questions, such as why yeast do what they do, how does the grains turn to sugar, etc. I let here have a sip of my beers now and then, just like my parents did. She just knows that a sip is a sip, and that she is to never to do so without mom or dad around, and that she has to be 21 to drink beer. I let her name beers and even help with some recipe's.

My thoughts on this are just like guns and hunting. I would MUCH rather my girls learn about these things from me, and in a very safe way, than from someone else when I am not around or unexpectedly. I love it, she has fun, and I am spending time with my daughter doing something I love.