Pour your own craft beer bar

[JONNYROTTEN]

My first experience at a pour your own craft beer bar.I gotta say the concept is pretty awesome.You get an electronic "beer band" that goes around your beer and can also be used for a wrist band.You go up to the wall swipe the band and the screen for the beer you choose lights up and says your name with how many ounces you have poured that night and what your pour is for that beer.It goes by .1 oz so you can sample a half ounce or less for an average of .45 cents an ounce.The idea is great but there are no taps at the bar so you loose the connection with the bartender and everytime you need a beer you need to leave your seat leaving your other half behind.Also youll never get a free sample or a buy back.Those one oz pour your own samples start to add up.Ever think what one ounce of beer looks like in the bottom of a pint glass..not much..We got one app.2 beers and sampled the wall and it was $40.As fun as it sounds we will stick to regular bars and save this for a real night out where were willing to drop some coin.Were on the fence with the "wall"...

 

[iijakii]

That's interesting, surprised it's legal to be honest. Figured there'd be all kinds of stupid regulations regarding pouring and serving alcohol.

I agree with your assessment, I like sitting at the bartop and talking to / watching the bartender. But on the other hand, asking the bartender for your 7th taster can get embarrassing

 

[Pkrd]

There's one of these at Changi Village in Singapore. Yes its kinda weird. The guy could have poured my beer a lot faster than explaining the system to a confused jet lagged tourist who just wanted one glass.
They said they don't brew on site, so I guess the hardware is just for show.
http://www.femalemag.com.sg/12722/c...ng-co-is-a-getaway-with-great-food-and-beers/

 

[max384]

That looks awesome! I don't particularly enjoy the patron-bartender bond that some here seem to like so much, so this sounds like a great idea. No waiting for a server or bartender, and sample what I like! At $0.45 an ounce, this looks cheaper than most flights of beer I've ever purchased... But I can sample far more in smaller quantities.

 

[mikeasu]

The thing I love about draft at home is being able to pour a pint with dinner, then maybe another half a glass if my wife and I are lingering at the table after the kids are done. Or, she (on the petite side) can have a small glass of whatever I've got on tap. I do like the bartender interaction sometimes, but I would enjoy this place for being able to do what I can at home. Sometimes a beer and a half is just the right amount. Never mind the sampling at will!

 

[HomebrewSupply]

Interesting idea, haven't heard of anything like this.

That said, I think I'd just end up blending beers after a while. That could be really fun... or, more likely, a complete disaster.

 

[Rhetorik]

That looks awesome! I don't particularly enjoy the patron-bartender bond that some here seem to like so much, so this sounds like a great idea. No waiting for a server or bartender, and sample what I like! At $0.45 an ounce, this looks cheaper than most flights of beer I've ever purchased... But I can sample far more in smaller quantities.

+1. There have been only two bartenders and one server that I've liked and cared to talk to to date. One bartender I've been friends with for at least 15 years. One server because she's a fox, and also a friend. The other bartender because he's also the owner of the bar, which 1) happens to be a 10 minute walk from home, 2) the best bar in my city for locally made beer, and 3) brews some of the beer himself.

Otherwise, so long as they keep an eye on the level of fullness of my glass and otherwise are out of the way, I'm happy. I wish a bar like the one in OP existed locally.

 

[Lazer Wolf Brewing]

There's a place like this in San Diego called Barrel Republic. They already opened multiple other locations, the concept is kind of blowing up.

I absolutely love the place. Half the places I go to, the bartenders have no desire to chat anyways. Barrel Republic has like 40 beer taps, 10 wine taps, and some kombucha and cold-Brewed coffee taps as well. They even have glass rinsers and a wall of different shaped glasses to choose from. I went in there and tried every beer they had. I think I spent like 25 bucks which IMO is an amazing value (I was pouring about 1oz samples or less).

As far as legality, it's definitely interesting that this is allowed. At Barrel Republic, they actually shut off your wristband when you reach 40 ounces poured. You have to go talk to someone that works there and they can reactivate you for another 20 ounces - they make sure you aren't hammered.

I think you will see this concept more and more.

 

[blizz81]

That's interesting, surprised it's legal to be honest. Figured there'd be all kinds of stupid regulations regarding pouring and serving alcohol.

Here, they have automated-pour wine and freaking whiskey joints.

 

[hunter_le five]

If I wanted to pour and serve my own beer I'd stay home.

 

[Lazer Wolf Brewing]

If I wanted to pour and serve my own beer I'd stay home.

I don't go for the experience. I go to try 40 craft beers for $25. If I wanted to do that at a bottle shop, it would cost me a ridiculous amount of money.

 

[Rivenin]

i'm surprised this hasn't blown up here in the PNW.
While we are a very personable group and love chatting and stuff in the PNW... we also like to try beer, and some tap houses do not offer flights which is unfortunate.
Plus, sometimes waiting for a bartender at a place can get tiresome... not that they're being lazy, but some places are so understaffed, it makes it difficult.

 

[Firewalker11]

We have one that JUST opened last weekend here in Minne-Snowta. From the website:

Upon entry, customers will purchase either a 10- ($4) or 16-ounce ($6) glass and head into the tap area, which will include four zones broken down by style and rotated every two months. (At opening, the zones will offer 16 taps of Minnesota-made beers and ciders that fall into the categories of “winter, hoppy, Belgian, and alternative.&#8221 Then, with “taptenders” showing them how to correctly pour a beer, customers will be free to fill up their glass with whichever beer they please.

 

[Kealia]

I like the idea and visited a place like this in Arkansas (of all places) last year while out there for work. If I'm out with a bunch of friends, or if I was focused on tasting different beers this would be a welcome concept.

I can see where it would work well but yes, you're going to lose some inter-personal contact. But, when I go out it is to be with other people, not the bartender so I'm OK with that.

 

[Lazer Wolf Brewing]

Maybe you lose out on contact with the bartender, but at the place I have been to, lots of patrons who didn't know eachother were excitedly discussing the beers in their hands and recommending beers. It's a lot of fun and a great communal environment. I wish I had thought of this

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Was just thinking,How do you tip a bartender that hands you an empty glass and a wristband.If Im there for 2 hours,get off my seat 6 times,get my own beer and get handed a bill,Wouldnt that mean no tip? The bartender did nothing more than charge me.It makes it weird because its the type of "local feel" bar that you would always tip at....no clue what to do

 

[EcuPirate07]

When I was at a wedding, There's an English pub in Tampa that does that except they use cards, you just take your personalized card that the server gives you up to the screen and it unlocks the tap. I'm sure they could regulate it by limiting how many ounces you could get if they wanted to. I like the idea cause it's always a pain in the a$$ waiting for a bartender to come wait on you. Or you have been standing there forever and the bartender just works one side of the bar and someone who just walks up gets served before you!!!!.....hmmmmm ***running over to the pet peeve thread.