DownTime Taps — Restaurant in Ferndale

I visited this new Ferndale establishment with a friend today, and was intrigued by the possibilities of 30 self-dispensing taps where you can enjoy smaller samples of a wide variety of beers.

The atmosphere is contemporary, with comfortable seating inside, and also outside on a cozy covered patio. We were greeted pleasantly by the young staff and given instructions on managing the self-dispensing system. The beer delivery system is high-tech and intriguing.

The beer selection was pretty pedestrian and slanted heavily to IPA's. Not much here that you can't get at our local microbreweries or the grocery store.

What disappointed me most, however, was that it felt like the beer equivalent of a fast food restaurant. What is missing is any sense that the employees know or care anything about good beer, any more than a Macdonald's employee really gives a hoot about quality hamburgers or fries. The experience can be summed up by the young employee who took my payment when we were done, muttering "Have a nice day", while watching the overhead television screen. I hope others enjoy this scene more than I did, and that the business prospers, but I'm returning to our local microbreweries and taphouses with servers who are as excited as I am about the great...

This joint has been on my beerscope for a hot-minute. Finally today was the day. After a full day of biking and geocaching, it was time for beers to celebrate.

Once checked in, your issued wristband unlocks your tap of choice. Thómas thoroughly trained us before letting us loose.

I then tasted every stout, porter or scotch ale they had! This sleepy Tuesday sunny evening was perfect for us.

No food here though, so you’ve been warned! Nearby eateries (e.g. Kenny’s) will deliver to your tipsy a$$ though.

The base price is $7 for your band, then the price per ounce is listed on the beer you pour yourself. Speaking of which, to keep you from over serving yourself the computer tracks the amount of ounces you poured in a 2-hour time frame. Too much? It cuts you off!

Not that I exceeded it, or my sister, but I can envision this going sideways ... fast. At any rate, if you desire an unique experience, or just a break from the normal bar scene in Ferndale,...

Great new take on the Brewers pub concept. Self serve beers, cirers, and wine. 32 taps that you can pour as much or as little as you like. The staff were all friendly, and made sure you knew how things worked, you feel taken care of, even though it's "do it yourself" bartending.

If you like to taste different beers or ciders and dint always want to order a full pint, this place is perfect. If you ever secretly wanted to be a bartender, this place is for you.

You get a wristband that keeps track of the beverage you pour and how much, and you pay for only what you take. Each beer has the price displayed per oz. and it's all calculated at the end. Pricing comes out to be about the same as other pubs.

The variety is good, the atmosphere is casual, and the staff makes it perfect. It's well worth a trip to Ferndale to check out...