Why Watching Live Sports at the Brewery Has Become More Interactive

Watching Live Sports At The Brewery

Nowadays, watching live sports at sports bars and breweries has been a part of the sporting culture in the US. The atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm amongst the fans, who cheer on their team, makes it an inviting and entertaining experience to watch live sports with friends. The same goes for many adults who are able to attend their favorite taproom or sports bar and share a cold beer with friends, team chants, post-game wagers, and more.

Now the experience of watching a game at a brewery is no longer just sitting by the TV and watching the action, but a social, entertainment, and interactive experience. In addition to being able to sample a great selection of beers at breweries, there are venues that enhance the day out or night out by providing more than just a selection of beer. Here are a few ideas as to how the breweries are making watching live sport even more interactive:

Modern Technology Enhances Immersivity 

Many sports bars and breweries are investing in the latest audio and visual technology to ensure that viewers can enjoy a more immersive atmosphere. Large HD screens and high-quality sound systems are helping to create an environment that feels closer to the action, similar to being at the stadium.  Powerful sound systems play crowd noise and chanting, while large TV screens provide views that are even better than being in the stadium, with the benefit of different camera angles.

Venues often have a choice of different TV subscriptions to select from, and the ones that focus more on providing audio from the stadium can help to recreate the atmosphere in the brewery. There is also usually a difference in the camera positions provided by different TV companies, with some offering pitchside analysis and talking to players, which is usually the preferred choice for fans. Amazon Prime Video, ESPN and Peacock are the most popular options that breweries tend to choose.

Venues Create a Full Social Event Around the Fixture

Rather than fans simply heading to the venue just for the duration of the game, venues encourage fans to come early and to stay well after the fixture concludes. Breweries and taprooms can build excitement around live fixtures by promoting food-and-beer deals before kickoff and after the final whistle. Some venues also host sports quizzes and use mobile apps to let fans answer questions on their smartphones, giving groups another reason to gather, enjoy the atmosphere, and explore the brewery’s beer selection.

They may also book live entertainers such as musicians to play songs in the build-up to the game, during the interval, and after the game. Some musicians play songs related to the team that is playing, so fans can sing along and get further immersed in the occasion.

Betting Screens and Partnerships

A large number of sports fans like to place bets on their teams as part of their matchday ritual, and some bars support this by having screens dedicated to showing betting odds, stats, and other betting market information.

In some venues, betting terminals are available so that fans can place bets without leaving the venue. Ensuring that venue visitors also have reliable Wi-Fi means that fans can access their favorite sports betting platforms, including for live betting on PowerPlay.

Venues might also organize competitions for fans to predict scores or other outcomes, with prizes such as beer or cash. 

Faster and Better Customer Service 

On big match days, venues showing live sport can get very busy, and queues for drinks or food can be frustrating. Venues that incorporate new technology are overcoming these issues, offering fans the option to use a QR code to order food or drinks, with orders being delivered to their table. Beer pouring technology such as automated dispensers is also helping to keep waiting times down, and some venues offer self-serving taps to allow drinkers to avoid bar queues and pour their own drink.

Bar queues will form especially during the pre-match and break times of live sport. The bar area is surrounded by screens, giving the fans the opportunity to watch the match as they wait in line and keeping the bar queue going all match long instead of during the final half-hour or so of the match. Successful breweries and sports venues on crazy sports event days are those that do not let their staff go on holiday but instead make sure they plan their staffing schedules accordingly.

Improved customer service means fans enjoy the action without having to wait long periods for customer service to arrive, and experience the interactive aspects which are part of the fun. Having a diverse beer menu and offering interactive entertainment at live sporting events could add more value to fans’ reasons to return to a brewery. These experiences include screenings on the big screen, prediction games, team sports, and much more, which help taprooms to retain customers and generate repeat visits, and extra revenue.