Why San Francisco Needed The Brew Coop, a Self-Pour Taproom

The restaurant and bar scene in the Mission District just got an upgrade, thanks to the opening of The Brew Coop - a new self-serve concept that is shaking up the way we pour our beer. The Valencia Street location has been open for about two months now, offering patrons delicious chicken dishes, plenty of flatscreen TVs and, yes, a self-serve beer wall with taps you pour yourself.

So how does that work? The self-pour taps are created by PourMyBeer, a restaurant partner that powers over 3,000 taps in hundreds of restaurant and bar locations across the U.S. and around the globe. The Brew Coop is the first standalone self-serve taproom in San Francisco, meaning many diners may not have seen this type of technology before. However, due to the Bay Area's reputation for disruption, it is a concept that will probably catch on quickly. Plus, the system is fun and easy for guests to use, and allows bars to increase beverage sales while creating less waste (a win-win). As a patron, you simply receive an RFID card to activate the taps, and then pour your desired drink (getting charge by the ounce), similar to how a frozen yogurt shop lets you dispense your own soft-serve. The benefit is that you can sample tons of beers without hassle, at your own pace.

But don't worry - despite some misconceptions about self-pour bars, The Brew Coop still has knowledgeable bar staff on hand who can recommend local craft beers (they have selections from Sutterfest, Barebottle and Standard Deviant on tap, among others) and answer questions about flavor profiles or how the system works. In fact, The Brew Coop's owner Gore Song was a bartender himself before opening the restaurant, so the importance of this interaction isn't lost on the establishment.

Other highlights of the restaurant include the multiple TV screens - perfect for watching the game - and the chicken-forward menu with a variety nuggets, wings, tacos and more. Round out your meal with a selection of veggie sides like edamame and brussels. The Brew Coop also offers a M-F happy hour, too.

As for the neighborhood, the Coop is in good company with cocktail havens like Wildhawk, Holy Mountain and The Beehive nearby - but its self-pour aspect makes it stand out from the rest of the block, in a good way. Instead of a dark lounge, expect a light, airy, Instagrammable interior and a modern, friendly open seating floor plan, with plenty of table games to share with friends (and to make new ones!). The vibe of the restaurant along with the techy, hands-on experience caters to the millennial crowd perfectly. It is a unique concept that the city was previously lacking.

Overall, as San Francisco's first self-pour taproom, The Brew Coop offers diners an innovative way to enjoy an old custom: grabbing a beer.

The Brew Coop is open Monday through Friday 4:00 pm to 11:00pm, and Saturday through Sunday 12:00pm to 11:00pm. For more information, visit www.thebrewcoop.com.