Table Tap Taking Down 5 Self-Pour Ridiculous Myths

1. Self-pour limits socialization and education with bar/brewery staff

It is actually quite the contrary. Self-pour systems promote socialization among guests as they taste and sample different brews at the tap wall. The tap wall is a conversation piece and an easy way to break the ice between separate parties. Socialization is a part of Jeff Libby, CEO’s mission. What fun is drinking a beer without others to drink it with? Jeff Libby, “I certainly do agree that beer is about the people and sharing it with each other! Beer walls promote socialization and interaction between guests asking each other if they like certain beers and trying new ones to speak to group discussions. The harsh reality is that most guests want to create their own experience these days…There is a feeling of empowerment that goes along with pouring a beer for your guest. Why not share that feeling of empowerment with the guest and allow them to do it themselves. Sadly many operators view it as a way to cut labor and they will go out of business if they do not recognize it requires beer tenders on the floor interacting with guests. There are certain business cases that make sense for self-pour taprooms, they are not for every brewery for sure! However they are here to stay, you will only see more of these in the future. Embrace independence and PYOB 🍻”

2. Self-pour takes away that interaction with the bartender.

This is the most common misconception about self pours amongst brewers is that it detracts from human interaction with guests.  Allowing patrons to pour their own beer actually frees up staff to interact with patrons by educating them about the beer and teaching them how to pour a proper pint. Self-pour is an experience like no other. Staff will provide knowledge to the folks that are curious while allowing others who need to fill up their glass to have on-demand access to the taps. The technology provides a unique guest experience and promotes interaction between parties in your taproom.  Self-pour allows your bartenders to focus more on the guests. Bartenders now have time to inform guests on the floor as they sample beer from the wall in real-time. There is an opportunity for connection and the simple joy of having a conversation with a bartender who can guide guests through the perfect experience.

3. Self-pour systems are too expensive.

Self-pour systems pay for themselves. There is a high investment in the return. At between $1,000-1,500 per tap for the technology, a self-pour system will save that much money per year in wastage from kegs. With industry averages of waste being 18-22%, self-pour slashes that to 3%. On top of that, less labor is needed to operate a self-pour location than a traditional bar or brewery. If anything, a self-pour system is an investment for more success. Table Tap self-pour helps our customers sell more, serve more, and earn more. Our technology utilizes iPads as a commercial product, and they are a part of the investment. Every restaurant or multi-family development in America has an iPad being used for a commercial purpose in one way or another, whether it be used to dim the lights, as a POS or to handle third-party delivery services. iPads are becoming increasingly common in commercial use.  Apple makes fantastic hardware that is durable and features the best possible picture through their HD Retina displays. iPads are the perfect hardware for our software. The features are endless and overall very practical for any business.  See for yourself. 

4. Self-pour is only for beer-centric concepts, and won’t last. 

Self-pour systems are not just great for breweries and taprooms, they complement restaurants, fast casuals, markets, and other innovative food concepts. Self-pour systems also perform well in entertainment centers such as stadiums, barcades, bowling alleys, ax-throwing bars, and golf lounges. Beer is not the only beverage that people can enjoy pouring themselves. Other options may include wine, pre-mixed cocktails, cold-brew, kombucha… Basically, anything that comes from a keg! We have been seeing a rise in the use of Table Taps in multi-family developments that utilize many different draft beverages as an amenity. As well, these draft systems can help elevate your workplace environment with cold brew or kombucha.  Draft and craft systems are the new takeovers, and everyday companies are releasing beverages that accommodate everyone. Table Tap was started in 2006 and most fads don’t last 15 years! But in all seriousness, self-pour technology is only being adopted more and more throughout the United States with no signs of slowing down in countless spaces. Are soda machines a fad? If not, then tap walls aren’t either! Beer has been around for 6,000 years, and we hope self-pour is around for that long as well. 

5. Self Pour eliminates jobs. 

Self-pouring does not always mean cutting down on staff. Venues can use their staff in more creative ways and focus on marketing, and branding for the company.  It does not eliminate staff necessarily but it does reduce labor costs by allowing operators to only have one person checking IDS, evaluating sobriety, changing kegs, educating about the beer, and selling RFID cards.  Self-pour tap rooms allow operators to be more efficient and profitable by staffing up during peak hours.  You always need at least one person working in any taproom, self-service or not to simply change kegs at a minimum.  There should always be a staff member who is able to help patrons with the beer wall, it is not an autonomous machine in a retail environment. Most of our customers average around 17% tips while using a self-pour system. Table Tap’s system makes it easy to allow customers to use “Express Checkout” without the need to go to a register and close. Most of the clients who are using this workflow, add an automatic gratuity for those that to quickly drop their card in a bucket and walk out. For convenience, most patrons will choose this option but for the ones that do not want to leave a tip or would like to close out in the traditional fashion, they are more than welcome to. It is important to us at Table Tap that our customers and their employees are making money. Our system helps our clients sell, serve and earn.