We don’t know about you but when it comes to craft beer, we just can’t get enough. We wish we could try them all and learn everything there is to know about what we’re drinking. Oh wait, all of our dreams have come true in the form of self-serve beer bars.
The pour it yourself concept started recently and has only spread to a few select locations that realize how genius this idea really is. The latest one to open is Barrel Republic, located in San Diego, CA. The DIY beer pour paradise opened last weekend and we can’t wait to pay them a visit.
You may be thinking this is too good to be true. How could a bar possibly let you pour your own brew? Here’s how it works. Choose your glass of choice: taster, tulip or pint size. Each tap (there are 44 total at Barrel Republic) has a tablet above it that explains everything you need or want to know about the beer. 50% of the beers at Barrel Republic are local and the others are a collection from all over, giving drinkers quite the list to choose from. Once you’ve decided on your brew, scan you prepaid beer card and pour. The best part: it doesn’t become a free for all. Bartenders monitor how many ounces drinkers consume and decide whether or not you’re allowed to restock your beer card.
Dozens of these self-serve bars have popped up in the last couple of years across the country and we’re hoping they continue to. What’s better than being able to pour your own beer while learning about it at the same time?
Have you been to a pour it yourself bar? Tell us how it was.
Self-serve beer is a game changer! You are charged for what you pour so you can pour as little as you want and sample a bunch of different beers before committing to a full pint. In fact, many people never make it to the full pint because they are enjoying trying so many different craft beers. Barrel Republic has a great atmosphere and is truly a social beer lounge – I love going there. I’m of course biased on the whole self-serve concept since I invented the technology that Barrel Republic is using – iPourIt.