1

This M.Y. answer discusses various opinions regarding drinking in a bar.

The Long Island area, among other areas in the U.S., has several interesting micro - breweries as well as a few distilleries. A Jew would like to try sampling some newly crafted seasonal beers or a new single malt before he buys it in a store.

My question, here, is an extension of the other one. May a Jew go to a microbrewery or a whiskey / rum etc. distillery where there is a tasting room? It is not a bar / restaurant type setting (FYI, some microbreweries do serve food, so I'm not including those) but rather more of a tourist attraction, generally. However, some of the tasting rooms are a somewhat "relaxed" setting with chairs / lounges or stools and the crowd is usually majority non-Jews.

Assuming that there are no kashrut problems, is there any problem with a Jew going to one of these places and tasting some samples? (S/he will not get drunk, as s/he'll be driving and s/he's a responsible person.)

Improve this question
9
  • What would be the problem, if he didn't drink anything? Maris ayin?
    – ezra
    Commented Feb 14, 2018 at 15:45
  • @ezra He's doing tastings also.
    – DanF
    Commented Feb 14, 2018 at 15:58
  • But I think it's easy to say it's assur, because you're not allowed to drink alcohol with non-Jews, even if the drinks are kosher.
    – ezra
    Commented Feb 14, 2018 at 16:01
  • @ezra Read the linked answer. There is an opinion that whiskey may not be a problem even in a bar. But, that's a separate point. I understand that it's the setting itself that may be a problem. Also, the prohibition of "drinking alcohol" may be a certain amount. Tasting may be different. I don't think the answer is that simple, but I may be wrong.
    – DanF
    Commented Feb 14, 2018 at 16:04
  • 1
    @DanF Assuming beer is included in the prohibition, then yes. You'd have to walk outside. The Gemara talks about Amoraim who stood outside the door to drink IIRC.
    – Double AA ♦
    Commented Feb 14, 2018 at 20:38

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

I asked my rav who said that a tasting room is not the same type of atmosphere as a bar. My understanding from our conversation is that the place is designed mainly as a tourist site, and they are giving out small samples. Thus the intention is not a food / drink / sit-down atmosphere or party place or a place where people may get drunk. Thus, he felt that there was no problem, assuming, of course, that the beer or whiskey is kosher.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .