It’s easy to be skeptical about technology in the restaurant business.
Outside of high-tech point-of-sale systems (most folks see them used as cash registers, but they’re the brains of an operation), kitchen computer systems and Cvap cookers, almost no beneficial technology has been “customer facing.”
And that which was has usually been hokey or unhelpful.
Until now.
Last week, Rocky’s Sub Pub rolled out a new Android tablet that utilizes a “craft beer app,” a tasty tech piece that helps brew fans make educated choices from the restaurant’s immense selection.
I’ve seen smartphone apps that do little other than give restaurant patrons access to static menus or push specials, but this is a truly interactive device that’s not only fun, but destined to be the standard for the industry — so say I anyway.
“Instead of a printed beer list, a customer gets a touchscreen tablet that has the main menu of the app on it already,” said Wes Johnson, co-owner of the business. “You can view the entire beer list by scrolling up or down, or you can sort for beer styles you like.
“If we’re having any specials or featured beers, it’ll let you know. And you can also build your own beer flights from our draft list.”
(How’s that for cool? Click on the video demo below done by Thomas Kapfhammer, another Rocky’s co-owner. Do your best to ignore my multiple “Wow!” comments audible on the video. It was my first time seeing it and I was clearly smitten with the device.)
Johnson said the idea for the app grew out of his and his staff’s frustration with printed paper beer lists. Rocky’s draft selections change frequently, which not only leaves printed lists outdated, paper lists are easily torn and soiled. Now, once a keg is emptied, as soon as a new one is put online, a manager can update the list by removing the old selection and replacing it with the new selection.
So you’ve made your selection, but you don’t want to play with the tablet. Take the Beer 101 tutorial to learn about production methods and styles. You can also search for beers by brewery, style and flavor characteristics.
“If I like Coors Light, I want to try a new beer, but I’m intimidated by the beer list, with the app you can search for beers that are similar to that beer,” said Johnson. “If someone can find something similar to what they already know, they’re much more likely to experiment a little.”
Jeremy Hunt, head brewer at BBC Shelbyville Rd., tested Rocky's Sub Pub's new beer app tablet.
Johnson, his partners and managers have worked on the idea since early in 2011. To make it a reality, Rocky’s partnered with Glowtouch Technologies, a software development firm based in Louisville, which finished the project in November.
Johnson is already envisioning future versions of the tool that will include a smartphone app that tracks beer brands users have consumed at Rocky’s. Other ideas being considered include links to retailers who sell brands patrons discover at Rocky’s.
At the Nov. 29 rollout party, Jeremy Hunt, the newly installed head brewer at Bluegrass Brewing Co.’s Shelbyville Rd. pub, was exuberant about the new tablet.
“Is this thing crazy or what?” said Hunt, who came to Louisville from Dogfish Head brewery in Milton, Del. “I can’t believe you can do so much with this. I don’t want to put it down.”
Steve Coomes
Steve Coomes is a Louisville restaurant industry veteran turned food writer. In his 20-year career, he has edited and written for dozens of national trade and consumer publications including Nation's Restaurant News and Southern Living. Locally, he is a past restaurant critic and current food feature writer for Louisville magazine, as well as Edible Louisville magazine.
Click here to read other articles by Steve Coomes.
Steve Coomes
No foam here: Rocky’s Sub Pub interactive ‘beer tablet’ is cool and truly resourceful
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It’s easy to be skeptical about technology in the restaurant business.
Outside of high-tech point-of-sale systems (most folks see them used as cash registers, but they’re the brains of an operation), kitchen computer systems and Cvap cookers, almost no beneficial technology has been “customer facing.”
And that which was has usually been hokey or unhelpful.
Until now.
Last week, Rocky’s Sub Pub rolled out a new Android tablet that utilizes a “craft beer app,” a tasty tech piece that helps brew fans make educated choices from the restaurant’s immense selection.
I’ve seen smartphone apps that do little other than give restaurant patrons access to static menus or push specials, but this is a truly interactive device that’s not only fun, but destined to be the standard for the industry — so say I anyway.
“Instead of a printed beer list, a customer gets a touchscreen tablet that has the main menu of the app on it already,” said Wes Johnson, co-owner of the business. “You can view the entire beer list by scrolling up or down, or you can sort for beer styles you like.
“If we’re having any specials or featured beers, it’ll let you know. And you can also build your own beer flights from our draft list.”
(How’s that for cool? Click on the video demo below done by Thomas Kapfhammer, another Rocky’s co-owner. Do your best to ignore my multiple “Wow!” comments audible on the video. It was my first time seeing it and I was clearly smitten with the device.)
Johnson said the idea for the app grew out of his and his staff’s frustration with printed paper beer lists. Rocky’s draft selections change frequently, which not only leaves printed lists outdated, paper lists are easily torn and soiled. Now, once a keg is emptied, as soon as a new one is put online, a manager can update the list by removing the old selection and replacing it with the new selection.
So you’ve made your selection, but you don’t want to play with the tablet. Take the Beer 101 tutorial to learn about production methods and styles. You can also search for beers by brewery, style and flavor characteristics.
“If I like Coors Light, I want to try a new beer, but I’m intimidated by the beer list, with the app you can search for beers that are similar to that beer,” said Johnson. “If someone can find something similar to what they already know, they’re much more likely to experiment a little.”
Jeremy Hunt, head brewer at BBC Shelbyville Rd., tested Rocky's Sub Pub's new beer app tablet.
Johnson, his partners and managers have worked on the idea since early in 2011. To make it a reality, Rocky’s partnered with Glowtouch Technologies, a software development firm based in Louisville, which finished the project in November.
Johnson is already envisioning future versions of the tool that will include a smartphone app that tracks beer brands users have consumed at Rocky’s. Other ideas being considered include links to retailers who sell brands patrons discover at Rocky’s.
At the Nov. 29 rollout party, Jeremy Hunt, the newly installed head brewer at Bluegrass Brewing Co.’s Shelbyville Rd. pub, was exuberant about the new tablet.
“Is this thing crazy or what?” said Hunt, who came to Louisville from Dogfish Head brewery in Milton, Del. “I can’t believe you can do so much with this. I don’t want to put it down.”