It was a busy afternoon at the Pulpit Rock Brewing Company. Patrons were shoulder to shoulder enjoying pints and having raucous conversations. All the tables were crowded, and the barstools were long filled. There was not much respite for those without a seat.
Looking around the room offered few options, but before anyone got the idea that some functional bits of décor could offer a place to relax, a sign taped to the barrel head dispelled any such notions.
“Please do NOT touch, lean on or stack belongings on barrels! They must rest in peace,” it read.
The barrels in the cozy Decorah, Iowa-based taproom are not just for aesthetics but are also used to age all manner of beers that would soon be packaged and served. In the meantime, outside interference is frowned upon.
Among the 9,000 breweries in the United States, it’s safe to assume that the majority
