Apparently, it was the hour change heard 'round the city.

The new Durham location of Asheville-based Hi-Wire Brewing recently set a curfew for kids in its taproom, announcing the changes on Facebook.

According to the Raleigh News & Observer, the new rules ruffled some feathers.

On Tuesday night, the brewery said its taproom would be open only to patrons ages 21 and over after 7 p.m., later amending that time to 8 p.m.

Some parents were miffed, huffing that they'd refuse to bring their little ones at all, sometimes accusing the bar of being anti-family, which representatives of the brewery rightly denied.

Others praised the taproom's decision to bar children after a certain time, saying the atmosphere sometimes felt like that of day care.

Hi-Wire creative director Javier Bolea said there are no forthcoming changes to the Hi-Wire locations in Asheville.

But if what one poster on Hi-Wire's Facebook page suggested is true, maybe it hasn't been necessary.

"Never have we witnessed unruly kids at any Asheville brewery to be truthful," said one commenter. "The breweries around (Durham) aren’t anti-kids, they are anti-daycare for your kids. ... We support Hi-Wire’s decision and understand what they are trying to protect."

Bolea said the Durham taproom has been successful and well-received since it opened last year.

"With that, adjustments need to be made for the overall comfort of all guests," he continued. "We want everyone to have a great experience. The majority of our business hours will remain all-ages with some more kid-centric areas in the works."

Some Asheville breweries set limits

Asheville breweries tend to be generally family-friendly, especially with so many young parents in the area.

But some have also opted to set limits on the times kids can clamber about.

Tim Schaller, the founder of Wedge Brewing, once owned a preschool. He's far from a child hater, but he's one of the local brewery owners who has opted to ban kids after a certain hour.

It's a safety issue, he said: His original brewery sits on the edge of the train tracks and has the majority of its outdoor seating in the middle of a parking lot.

As such, no one under the age of 21 is allowed on the premises past 8 p.m. The newer Wedge at Foundation, which offers safer environs for kids, has no such time limit.

Putting the curfew in place caused a little backlash, which Schaller said was understandable. "When people get used to one thing and then you change it, that's hard."

But once people understand the reasons behind the rules, it can assuage the sting of being excluded, he said.

He's coached his bartenders about communicating the curfew with sensitivity, instructing them to give parents 45 minutes' notice before their children need to be ushered out.

Breweries can offer cheap entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere, so Schaller said he understands why young families tend to flock there. "I also have some regulars who love (the curfew), because they came here to be an adult."

While Schaller has lost some customers, he thinks the rules are in everyone's best interest. "I like being around kids, but safety is important."

Some offer perks for kids

On the flip side, some breweries offer perks for pint-sized customers and their pint-drinking minders.

Take Archetype Brewing, which one-ups the toys and play areas becoming de rigueur at some taprooms with story hours, songs and games greeting children the first and third Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m.

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Other family friendly breweries

Breweries with perks for kids abound in the Asheville area, so this is not an exhaustive list. Many, perhaps even the majority, of breweries in the Asheville area welcome kids during the earlier hours — but it never hurts to call ahead and ask.

Archetype Brewing Company: Story time for kids, boxes of toys and other fun distractions for children. Bring in food from the neighbors, including Pizza Mind, which has plenty of family-friendly fare. 265 Haywood Road.

Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co.: A game room and kid-friendly movies shown at kid-friendly times and, of course, pizza. 675 Merrimon Ave.

Blue Ghost Brewing: A Hot Wheels track, a sandbox, food from food trucks, plenty of room to roam. 125 Underwood Road, Fletcher.

Highland Brewing Company: With food trucks and mellow music in the huge, flat meadow, Highland has become hangout central for East Asheville families, particularly on warm Fridays, though there's an adults-only patio. 12 Old Charlotte Highway.

New Belgium Brewing: With its field, food trucks and family-friendly culture, this River Arts District brewery is a hot spot for those with kids. 21 Craven St.

Pisgah Brewing Company: This Black Mountain brewery has room to roam, root beer and picnic tables, plus occasional family-friendly events. 150 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.: A sandbox, small kid-sized tables and a kids menu, plus ample elbow room (though it's very, very crowded on weekends). 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River.

Sweeten Creek Brewing: This brewery's sandwich shop has a kids' menu and non-alcoholic drinks, plus a huge outdoor picnic area. 1127 Sweeten Creek Road.

Turgua Brewing Company: The big lot and out-of-the-way location make this Fairview brewery family-friendly. 27 Firefly Hollow Drive.

Whistle Hop: 3 acres of outdoor space; a 6-hole disc golf course; yard games like badminton; a giant Connect Four, and other kid-friendly games make this Fairview brewery welcoming to little ones. 1288 Charlotte Hwy.