Casinos with Breweries

In recent years, LuckyGambler has observed an increasing number of casinos in the U.S. adding microbreweries or taprooms onsite. This allows guests to sample craft beer from smaller, independent brewers as part of their entertainment experience. With customers seeking more varied amenities, incorporating a brewery can further distinguish a casino.

Enhancing the Guest Experience

An in-house brewery or taproom adds another dimension to casinos in the U.S. for patron enjoyment. While gambling remains the main attraction, a brewery offers a relaxed venue for taking a break over a pint. Guests can unwind over a freshly poured IPA or seasonal beer before trying their luck again. Especially with craft beer tourism becoming more popular, casinos stand to benefit from showcasing local beer options.

The taproom ambiance also encourages socializing, as friends gather together to cheer over the games. Given the fun, lively character of these spaces, an onsite brewery aligns well with the vibrant energy casinos aim to create. Essentially, good beer and good company enhance the overall guest experience.

The Symbiotic Business Relationship

Installing a brewery requires significant capital, making a casino partnership appealing for brewers too. The built-in customer base at casinos provides brewers visibility and a consistent source of sales through thirsty gamblers. Furthermore, casino restaurants will likely feature craft beers in pairings and cooking, providing added promotion.

With their vast resources, casinos can also negotiate discounts on ingredient supply chains. Sharing these savings with an in-house beer brand makes production more affordable. Similarly, casinos can utilize their own cleaning, maintenance and security systems to service the brewery. The symbiotic relationship increases revenue for both businesses through built-in patronage and operational efficiencies.

Brewery Design and Branding

Strategic design choices allow the brewery to blend seamlessly with the casino atmosphere. Most aim for an upscale pub aesthetic using materials like wood, glass and steel. Features like exposed ductwork, framed limited-edition beer posters and pendant lighting create visual interest while retaining a relaxed vibe.

Casinos may also co-brand custom brews or merchandise to reinforce the partnership. Offering casino logos on tap handles, pint glasses or growlers makes nice souvenirs for gamblers. Joint branding through logos and package design helps national casinos emphasize their local community connections as well.

Operational Logistics

Breweries in casinos maximize convenience by providing locations near or alongside restaurants. Adjacently placed taprooms allow patrons to freely pop over for a drink and then resume gambling. Proximity also lets kitchens easily pair new dishes with house beer selections.

With limited onsite space, casinos typically install small five- to ten-barrel brewing systems. Focusing on a few speciality brews allows for beer freshness without overwhelming inventory needs. Simple tap walls display current selections, while refrigerated back storage preserves overflow kegs.

Hiring crossover staff well-versed in both beer and casino culture smooths training. Bartenders can help at the taps during busy times, with beer specialists offering guidance about brewing techniques or tasting notes for curious drinkers.

Ideal Beer Styles to Offer

Approachable beer styles tend to appeal most to casino guests looking for refreshment between activities. Best-sellers include clean, easy-drinking lagers, fruit-tinged wheat beers and balanced pale ales. More adventurous patrons enjoy sampling rotating IPAs and stouts.

Seasonal or limited-edition brews also stimulate interest, like a fresh hop IPA in autumn or gingerbread porter around the holidays. Special beer releases give guests an incentive to return and discover what’s new on tap.

Food and Drink Pairing Opportunities

In-house breweries allow casino restaurants to feature beer in cooking for enhanced flavors. Dishes like beer-battered fish, brewery pretzels and beer cheese soup incorporate subtle malty notes. Kitchens can also develop tasting menus with each course paired with a different house-made beer selection.

Happy hour and midnight tap takeovers provide other avenues for joint promotions. Brewery staff might appear tableside to discuss proper glassware and pouring techniques. Furthermore, bartenders can concoct custom cocktails blending whiskey and beer or garnished with hops. The integrated events showcase broader beverage synergies.

Future Expansions

As on-premise breweries succeed, some casinos may consider larger-scale brewing on-site. Installing a fully functional production brewery allows the creation of beer for distribution to other company venues in a city or region. Through substantial investments, such projects give casinos more influence across local tourism and hospitality sectors.

Additionally, expanded capacity provides an opportunity for more experimentation with unique ingredients or collaborative “brewed just for our casino” editions. These special brews ultimately help strengthen brand loyalty among beer-loving patrons.

Conclusion

The growing trend of casinos adding microbreweries and taprooms shows no signs of slowing down. For casinos, incorporating an in-house brewery boosts entertainment amenities to attract patronage. For brewers, tapping into built-in casino traffic aids brand awareness. Through quality design and operations, breweries feel like natural extensions of the lively gambling environment. Moving forward, integrated beer and casino relationships present many promising avenues to elevate hospitality experiences overall. In such symbiosis, guests win with more ways to celebrate wins... and console losses.