Oregon Magazine

Cover

Decanting with Delkin
Oregon Beer Journalist
Reports Service Innovation

By Fred Delkin

Lisa Morrison is a Portland writer who focuses her attention on the worthy subject of craft beers. She has just penned an article that promises an innovative relief from Empty Glass Syndrome (EGS). As Lisa notes, this dread condition can strike almost anywhere..."victims
often report having fun with friends when, suddenly, they notice their beer getting precareiously low. Despite frantic signals to the busy server that it's time for another round, EGS strikes
before fresh pints make it to the table."

She says one company is marketing an innovative solution to this predicament..."a Georgia
man, Jeff Libby, has created The Table Tender, a tap system that runs straight to the table and lets patrons pour their own pints and pitchers...and, yes, it's perfectly legal. It is no different
than setting a beer on the table, as long as you have a governor on the system."

This ingenious device has metering controls and software to keep track of every ounce
delivered. The Table Tender has met Georgia's alcohol laws, which are at least as strict as
those in Oregon. Libby has spent three years researching regulations across our land. This is
not a vending machine, which is illegal regarding alcohol dispensing in many jurisdictions.
There is also a valve system for each table that does not allow a pour until age IDs have been checked

So, what's to prevent a thirsty customer from overserving themselves? "The Table Tender system requires a server or manager to reactivate puring capabilities for the patrons. At that point, it is up to the restaureant to determine whether the patrons are fit to continue drinking. The softwae, according to Libby, can accommodate any jurisdiction's drinking limits."

Concerns about creating server unemployment is answered by Libby, who avers that
experience with establishments using the Table Tender..."they have been very positive about
the system and say it brings in more business and reduces the amount of times they have to go back and forth to the bar for beers...it does not decrease tips, because they are actually
generating more sales revenue."

Want to urge your favorite pub to install the Table Tender? The price tag for a five table
system runs about $45,000. Libby says thew system pays for itself "in about two years.
Before the Table Tender, establishments wasted some 20% of each keg due to spillage, foam, 'giveaways' and pilferage. The Table Tender...eliminates all of this waste."

Lisa writes that this novel system delights customers and it makes "the heartbreak of ESG a
thing of the past."