Service animals "Welcome"
Posting this review makes me a little bummed, because this brewery has so much going for it. I recently went on vacation in Cape Cod with my boyfriend and my service dog Jax. After extensively researching things to do in the area, we selected a handful of spots and breweries to stop in check out (because what's a vacation without a few brewery stops?!). Prior to the trip we ensured every location we planned to visit was service animal friendly, to ensure I would be comfortable and allowed to bring my service dog with me. We looked online and saw that someone on Yelp asked the brewery account if animals were allowed, we could see that "the Owner" responded saying, service animals only, therefore we thought we were good to go!
Upon entering the brewery it seemed relatively quiet, there were a few people sitting outside on the patio on picnic tables outside, there was also a food truck onsite. While approaching the bar where a few other customers were sitting I was shocked and excited to see how many beer options they had available, almost all of the breweries I have visited in the past only offered a few options because they only brew a few batches at a time. When we arrived at the bar the bartender very kindly welcomed us and asked us if my dog was a service animal, I said yes and offered to provide her with his documentation if needed, she responded saying I didn't need to show his documentation, that she believed he was a service animal if I said so. I totally understand the need to ask about the animal, and to see the papers, especially because they serve beer. After we ordered our two beers the bartender went into the back room and a male who I assumed to be the manager immediately appeared. He told me that absolutely no animals were allowed in their establishment, even if they were a service animal because the board of health regularly visits their brewery and could shut the business down as a result. He said that we could remain on the brewery property as long as we stayed out on their patio.
Semi awkwardly, I proceeded alone to take my dog outside to their patio while my boyfriend waited for our two beers inside at the bar. The second I exit the brewery and step onto their patio I was then approached by a third person. He immediately said "there are no dogs allowed on the property", to which I responded explaining that the first bartender told me my service animal was perfectly welcome inside, then who I believed to be the manager told me that my dog was allowed as long as we stayed out on the patio. To which I then received the response "I am the manager here, the bartenders inside don't know what they're talking about, there are no dogs allowed on the property, and you have to leave immediately." I then responded telling him that we just purchased two beers inside and were planning on enjoying them outside with my service animal. With a totally shocked expression he began explaining he didn't know that he was a service animal (maybe would help if this was his first question to me), and he needed to see his paperwork, which I gladly provided. He then told me that it was no problem that I had him with me, and we could remain on their property.
I felt extremely attacked and uncomfortable during this whole ordeal, especially because I thought we would be supporting a local brewery while on vacation. As a result of this treatment, we finished our one beer as quickly as possible and left. I was extremely excited to spend the afternoon at this cool new spot and try all of their beer options, but couldn't rationalize supporting a business run by management who treats customers this way.
We spend a few weekends a year in Cape Cod and would have loved to make this a new staple to visit during our trips, but after this treatment will not be able to return. I have had a service animal for the majority of my life, and have never been subjected to this type of spotlight and discrimination before. If you have a service animal, do not believe their reviews, they are not welcome, and if you bring one into their business, neither will you. read more