Politics & Government

First for Missouri: Table-Side Beer Taps Coming to Ballwin Restaurant

So-called "personal table taps" got the final approval this week from the Ballwin Board of Aldermen.

When the Circle 7 Ranch restaurant opens in the Ballwin Grove Plaza next month, it will deliver a first for Missouri beer-drinkers: Personal table taps that let diners draw their own brew.

The owners of . They were before the on Monday to get final approval for their plans to serve alcohol at the new eatery.

Alderman Mark Harder had a handful of questions for owners Pete Ferretti and Budy Coy, who own or operate restaurants in St. Louis including The Pepper LoungeMandarinThe Outfield at Mike Shannon's, and Lumen.

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Coy explained that the "personal table taps," also known as the "table tender system" was just recently approved for use in Missouri by the state legislature and Circle 7, at 14412 Clayton Road, would be the first spot in the state to employ the system.

St. Louis Magazine reported that nine tables at Circle 7 would use the system, which includes three taps at each table.

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Harder's questions centered on how the staff monitors underaged or excessive drinking.

"The taps are electronically monitored," Coy explained. They can only dispense up to 32 ounces per person, then the system shuts off. A waitress can touch bases with the customers and re-engage the system at that point.

Coy said the restaurant staff would have to monitor for underaged drinking and excessive consumption just like they would with beer served in glasses at the bar or the table, a point Police Chief Steve Schicker noted.

"Someone has to monitor it regardless of where alcohol is served," he said.

The board of aldermen unanimously approved the measure allowing alcohol service, but not before Alderman Shamed Dogan, with a wink, said, "My only concern was you didn't have any craft beers."

The answer: Those will be available from wait-staff, not the personal table taps.


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