A new bill signed into law Monday by Governor Jeff Colyer is paving the way for self-serve beer taps in Kansas.
The new law takes effect later this month. Automated taps will vary depending on the manufacturer. The bill says customers will be given an access card programmed to allow the dispensing of no more than 15 ounces of wine or 32 ounces of beer.
It isn’t clear whether it will immediately impact the Emporia area. Radius Brewing Company co-owner Jeremy Johns says it’s not something his company plans to embrace.
Bourbon Cowboy owner Susan Brinkman says she also sees no demand for self-serve taps at her business.
Under the new bill, customers would be charged by the ounce on self-serve taps and it would be at the bartender’s discretion when to cut customers off. Twin Rivers Winery & Gourmet Shop owner Becky Smith isn’t ruling out the possibility of adding self-serve taps, noting they could be desirable at wine tastings.
Smith says they are planning to have wines on tap at some point and whether or not that would be self-serve is still to be determined. She says she would need to learn more about the bill before proceeding with new taps.
The new bill extends the hours bars can serve alcohol, beginning at 6 a.m. rather than the current standard of 9 a.m. The measure also requires video monitoring of the self-pour equipment and maintenance of the recordings for 60 days. It guarantees access of the video to law enforcement. Another component of the new bill is a provision permitting liquor stores to sell alcohol-laced candy.
There are 46 other states that allow self-service beer sales.
