Learn how to build attractive habits that motivate your taproom staff and boost profitability. Discover key strategies for making tasks easier, more worthwhile, and profitable while improving staff engagement and guest experiences.
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Some aspects of the taproom experience are obvious: great beer, a welcoming vibe, friendly staff, and a clean space. These all matter to your guests. But sometimes, it’s the little things that make a visit even more valuable, both for them and for you. A well-timed recommendation for another pint, a simple mention of beer to go. Small touches can have a big impact. But what else can elevate your taproom experience and turn good visits into great ones?
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According to a February 2025 Craft Beer Professionals poll, 26% of breweries operate their own kitchen. Coming in close behind, 22% rely on food trucks, while another 22% offer guests a menu of basic snacks (i.e. “would you like a bag of chips?”). No matter the approach, one thing is clear—offering food at your brewery takes effort, but it leads to higher tabs, longer visits, and more reasons for guests to return.
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Guests come to your taproom for connection. While service is important, true hospitality goes beyond handing someone a pint. QR codes don’t replace staff engagement—in fact, when used alongside strong service, they increase sales. Meet your guests where they are. Give them options. And always, always ask the question.
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Discover how taproom managers can draw inspiration from punk rock musician Frank Turner's global collaborations to expand their audience. Learn how creative partnerships, community events, and cross-promotion can help your taproom reach new customers and build lasting connections. This article explores unconventional strategies for attracting diverse crowds and fostering a unique experience that encourages repeat visits.
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Guest engagement can make or break the taproom experience, and recent data reveals fascinating trends in how staff interactions vary throughout the week and on weekends. Across all days, engagement peaks during lunchtime, with staff delivering consistently high levels of service to early-day visitors. However, as the day progresses, patterns begin to shift—weekday evenings see engagement drop slightly, while weekends maintain a higher baseline but lean more toward moderate interactions during busy periods. These findings not only highlight when taprooms are excelling but also uncover opportunities to fine-tune strategies, ensuring guests feel valued no matter when they walk through the door.
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Learn how leading breweries are using Secret Hopper taproom data to see greater success.
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Does the solo guest or larger party spend more money in your taproom? Is your staff offering each group the same level of engagement? How can you use this data to create more memorable and profitable experiences for all?
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Over the years, Secret Hopper has explored taproom data extensively, examining everything from the significance of the initial greeting to how age impacts spending habits. Two consistent themes have emerged in nearly all our studies: the importance of education and engagement. We understand you’re busy and don’t have time to continually review hundreds of data points, share them with your team, and implement training to maximize them. Don’t worry—if you only have time to monitor two metrics, focus on tip percentage and average tab size.
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How does the speed at which a beer is served impact a guest’s taproom experience? Faster isn’t always better. The right level of engagement with guests doesn’t necessarily correspond directly with speed—other factors should also be considered. When a guest chooses to visit your taproom, they do so with intention. Understanding that intention and their goals can help you provide the experience they seek.
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You’re in the hospitality business. Relationships, baby. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. You’re peddling experiences.
When we first launched Secret Hopper in 2017, most of us weren’t using the word “experience,” let alone “hospitality.” However, times are changing. You’re not just hoping someone chooses you over the nearby brewery; you want them to choose your taproom over any other social activity.
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These things might not matter to guests, but they can significantly impact your taproom. Sometimes, subtle aspects can unconsciously enhance a guest’s experience, leading to more memorable visits. Why should you care? When guests have a better experience, they are likely to spend more.
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Pretend you arrive at the end of your street. Whether you go right or left, you end up at a brewery with a quality atmosphere, quality beer, and quality staff. Everything else being the same, but the brewery to the right is a half mile closer. Where do you end up most often? For me, it’s nearly always to the right.
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In the past, we have looked at the likelihood of taproom staff encouraging a flight. This study continues with that data and also pairs it with the guests’ actions of ordering one. It’s all about building positive habits. By training your team to regularly encourage flights, you’ll consistently see higher tabs. Sure, it may take a little bit longer, but the effort put into better educating your guests on your offerings will help deepen relationships and contribute to everyone's success.
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In this webinar, we are joined by Jeremy Carney from Central Coast Analytics to analyze the behaviors that set top-performing taprooms apart. From staff behaviors to design elements, our study will pinpoint the top five habits of successful taprooms and offer insight into how you can implement these strategies in your business.
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Why I spent $80 on strawberries.
$2.19. That’s what my local grocery store is currently charging for a pound of strawberries. This past Sunday, on Mother’s Day, we made a family trip and together picked about 20 pounds. If we had simply gone and cleared out Aldi, I would’ve walked out with a full cart of strawberries for only $44. So, why on Earth would I agree to make the 20-minute drive, do all the picking, and pay nearly double? Experience.
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When are Gen Xers and Boomers going out to breweries and how can we use this information to better market to them?
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When are Millennials going out to breweries and how can we use this information to better market to them?
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Flights SUCK! They’re no fun to pour, can back up your line on a Saturday afternoon, and they take way too long to explain. What a waste of effort and time.
But wait! Is your brewery looking to attract new customers? Does your brewery like helping each guest find the perfect beer? Are you a taproom owner/manager/employee that wants to make more money?
If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then flights may be the answer.
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Join us for a deep dive into flight and to go beer trends from 2018 to 2022.
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