Something that always hits me wrong (both historically and for gameplay) is that the Tavern comes so late. This makes all beverages something only long term players will ever actually make for themselves and by then you are so rich you can just buy your wine. This also makes orchards pointless until late as well. I'd assume for most late game players, the tavern serves as the heart of the village and a magnet for idling npcs. It's a shame to put all of the functionality so late.

And historically, ale production was something all but the poorest peasants could do themselves at home, and often did so to sell to their neighbors. It took little more than a cauldron and the grain. Mildly alcoholic beverages were the staple, not the exception.

Instead, it could it be made to have tiers like other production buildings with Tavern I becoming available earlier. Maybe somewhere less than 1000 production tech?

Tier I - juices and (nerfed) ale
Tier 2 - beers
Tier 3 - wine, tarts and 2 workers