Normally, events are an effective way to draw additional patrons—but crowded fests right now are not only taboo (and often illegal), they’re also potentially deadly. Sadly, the year without festivals looks likely to stretch well into 2021.
However, many breweries are showing how special events can be done safely. It’s pretty straightforward: Accept reservations, limit group size, space those groups widely apart, and keep it outdoors, if possible.
Here’s the idea: Promote an event or an opportunity—could be as simple as the chance to reserve a firepit or a small cabin—with attendance by reservation only. Limit the group size and ensure that the groups are sufficiently spaced apart. To help ensure that the patrons show up, sell the reservations in advance as prepaid packages that include food and drink.