WA’s first self-service tap bar poised to open at the Wembley Hotel

West Aussies don’t think twice about pumping their own petrol. What about pouring their own beer at the pub? That is exactly what pub-goers can look forward to when Ferment small bar re-opens at the Wembley Hotel. Owner Kane Mansfield believes the new innovative concept will prove to be a hit with customers. In a WA first, the publican spent $100,000 installing a self-serve tap system designed by US-based company PourMyBeer in the 100-capacity back bar of the Wembley. Mr Mansfield is waiting on liquor licensing approval before patrons will be able to test-drive 26 taps of craft beer, plus a few wines and cocktails. How does it work? Patrons buy credit on a pre-paid card, before grabbing a chilled glass from the fridge. They then select a beer, pop the card on the reader and pour as much or as little beer as they desire, from a small taste to a 500ml glass. Beer is charged by volume, with the price per litre displayed above taps on screens that also have details of hops and other ingredients, style notes and alcohol content for each brew. While some people will miss bantering with bartenders, Mr Mansfield said a “beer wall ambassador” will be on hand to “fix up” poor pours and explain how it works. Drinkers can only get three standard drinks, calculated based on alcohol content and volume of each pour, before they need to go back to the till for a staff member to reactivate the card. Mr Mansfield, who has owned the Wembley since 2002, has been waiting six months for the “brand new concept” in hospitality to be approved by the Liquor Licensing. He argued that the system has “built-in” responsible service of alcohol provisions due to the three-drink limit before reactivation, as well as staff supervision of the self-service bar. A novel addition to his long-running pub, which has a beer garden, front bar, sports bar and dining area, Ferment has been brewing for more than two years. Initially slated as a separate venue at 524 Beaufort Street in Highgate, Mr Mansfield abandoned plans after the development process was stymied by red tape and pushback from residents in the building. Aimed at craft beer enthusiasts, Ferment will host tasting nights, beer-pairing dinners and other events. Self-service beverage technology is booming in the US, with more than 500 venues boasting the DIY tap walls. The PourMyBeer website claims bars with self-service technology waste less than 3 per cent of keg beer as compared to 23 per cent in regular bars. Every drop of beer is tied to a credit card, which means customers pay for tastes of craft beer usually provided for free by bar staff. “The customer pays for everything that comes out of the tap,” Mr Mansfield said. The self-service system won’t cut staff, he said, but is more about educating people and allowing them to have fun pouring beer. “A lot of people think they can pour a beer and they want to get behind the bar,” he said. “This is their chance. “You can go at your own pace; you don’t have to get into rounds and can try a few things.” And if you get too much froth in your beer, you’ve only got yourself to blame.

WA’s first self-service tap bar poised to open at the Wembley Hotel

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