Pour Taproom, a pay-by-the-ounce taproom founded in Asheville, opened a location in downtown Wilmington last weekend, following some significant delays because of construction.
 
The taproom, located on the ground floor of the historic Murchison Building at 201 N. Front St., was originally scheduled to open in the spring.

Pour Taproom licensee Brian Ballard is the owner/operator of the Wilmington location. He said that after visiting the Pour Taproom in Asheville, he felt that bringing Pour Taproom to the Port City would help support the growing local craft beer scene.
 
Pour Taproom is designed for customers to sample by the ounce, allowing them the opportunity to broaden the scope of the beers they try because they aren’t committing to a whole pint of any particular beer.

Upon check-in, customers must present a valid ID and credit card before receiving a bracelet that they scan at each tap to begin a pour. It’s self-service but with full descriptions of each beer and beer hosts on hand to provide customer assistance.

Each bracelet will allow a maximum of 32 ounces to be poured per customer. After that, customers must check in with a beer host, who will determine whether they can be granted an additional 32 ounces or if they have reached their limit. Ballard said being able to assess a customer's level of intoxication is an integral part of beer host training.
 
The taproom provides two floors of gathering space. The main floor houses 42 taps with craft beer from around the world, as well as a wine vault (located inside a former bank vault) with eight wines on tap. The upper mezzanine level is dedicated to local and North Carolina beers. Each local brewery has a dedicated tap where they can showcase whatever beer they wish.
 
“It’s a beer and wine festival every day,” Ballard said.
 
The building’s original coffered ceilings have been preserved as well as its original chandelier which hangs above the entrance. There is plenty of seating throughout, from couches to wine barrel tables and barstools. There are also two, 100-inch televisions for game watching.
 
In addition to beer and wine, Pour Taproom serves appetizers such as nachos and soft pretzels; as well as salads, paninis, hot dogs and flatbreads, all priced at under ten dollars.
 
“We’ve had a very positive response so far,” Ballard said. “We anticipated having a soft opening, but as soon as we opened the doors people started coming. In some ways the delayed opening may have generated more excitement.”
 
Pour Taproom is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. A grand opening celebration is planned for the first week in November.
 
Have a tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email [email protected].