Self-service beer machines make All Star debut

Fans at Tuesday’s All Star game at Target Field in Minneapolis can sample the delights of self-service beer machines thanks to technology developed by Suwanee, Georgia-based DraftServ.

Located on Target Field’s main concourse, the two DraftServ machines let fans purchase their beer by the ounce and offer a choice of Bud, Bud Light, Shock Top Lemon Shandy and Goose Island 312 Urban Pale Ale.

Bud and Bud Light are priced at 38 cents an ounce, with Shock Top and Goose Island 40 cents an ounce.

The machines, which were introduced by hospitality management company Delaware North Sportservice, will be a fixture at Target Field for the rest of the season. Delaware North and Anheuser-Busch and will be handling the self-service for the All Star game.

Fans use a pre-paid card to purchase their beer and can use the card at another game if it still has credit on it. A cashier next to the DraftServ station and an ID checker at line entry will ensure that drinkers are 21 and over.

“We don't know whether we will bring them to other sports venues at this point,” explained a spokesman for Delaware North, in an email to FoxNews.com. “We are piloting the machines at Target Field this season and will see how they work.”

This type of vending technology is likely to catch on, according to Omar Khedr, an analyst at industry research firm IBIS World. "There's definitely a lot of interest," he told FoxNews.com. "It will be quicker and better for consumers and it will also be beneficial for the stadiums because in the long term it gives them the opportunity to lower their labor expenses."

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