The Minnesota Twins are experimenting with a new concession feature that could make fans at next week’s All-Star Game extremely happy – they’ve introduced self-serve beer stations.
To use one of the stations, fans will need to show their ID at a cash register and load a card with either $10 or $20. They’ll then scan their card at the machine, choose the beer they want (Bud, Bud Light, Goose Island 312, or Shock Top Lemon Shandy), and pour a maximum of 48 ounces at a time. Fans will only be charged for what they pour, with Bud and Bud Light costing 38 cents each and 312 and Shock Top costing 40 cents apiece.
This is pretty, pretty awesome, and is something I’d love if I were heading to the All-Star Game (even if the beer selection isn’t up to par). There is obviously going to be a concern about fans overserving themselves and underage fans getting access to alcohol, but there will be employees staffing each location to check IDs and turn away intoxicated fans.
At the very least, it’s an interesting innovation that may end up becoming a mere novelty like the “beer cups that fill from the bottom” that starting popping up a few years ago. Hopefully, this technology is a smash hit and becomes widespread across stadiums in the future.
[ESPN]
