Pour Taproom, a pay-by-the-ounce taproom, will make its debut in Wilmington this spring.
 
Founded by Nick Tomforde just a year-and-a-half ago in Asheville, Pour Taproom has additional locations in Greenville, South Carolina, and Santa Cruz, Calilfornia.

Pour Taproom licensee Brian Ballard will be the owner/operator of the company’s downtown Wilmington location, in the Murchison Building at 201 N. Front St.
 
After visiting the Pour Taproom in Asheville, Ballard said he felt that bringing Pour Taproom to the Port City would support the growing local craft beer scene.
 
He said that the taproom’s concept of customers being able to sample by the ounce allows people the opportunity to broaden the scope of the beers they can try because they aren’t committing to a whole pint of any particular beer. They can try an ounce of one, and if they like it, pour some more or move on to another. Prices will range from 20 to 90 cents per ounce.
 
Customers will be asked to present a valid ID and credit card upon arrival and will receive a bracelet that they will 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 part of beer host training.
 
The design for the Wilmington location will offer two floors of gathering space; the main floor will house 42 taps with craft beer from around the world, while the upper mezzanine level will be dedicated to local and North Carolina beers.
 
“Eighty percent of our taps will rotate on a regular basis so there will always be something new to try,” Ballard said.
 
Ballard said customers can expect a relaxed environment with plenty of couches and televisions. A small menu that includes panini, flatbreads, pretzels and other light fare will also be offered.
 
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