Beer Stein Goes Hi Tech

Spudley writes "Beer is a subject close to many slashdot-readers' hearts, so you'll be pleased to learn that Mitsubishi has invented a glass that can tell when it's empty, and order a refill from the bar. Of course, it'll still have to be filled the old fashioned way, but at least the bar staff will know which ones need refilling - the... ehm... empty ones." I like that it's dishwasher safe. Drunk people can't be trusted to hand wash glass.

Comments

Re:bah

[bluprint]

I think the bigger thing is for restaurants. It would allow them to provide a higher level of service, with little additional cost (except for the initial cost of the system), providing that costs associated with replacing broken steins is relatively low...

*Real* High Tech: Larry Niven's Glass

[Embedded Geek]

In one of his stories, SF author Larry Niven proposed a beer mug that had a matter transporter in the bottom. Instead of calling the bartender, it automatically, silently refilled itself from the keg.

One of the narrator's comments was "A glass like that could destroy a man"

Interesting, but.

[viper21]

I'm sorry, but does anybody realize how stupid this is?

Like people that work at bars (or the bars themselves) are organized enough to guarantee that:

a. somebody will keep track of who, at which table, has which glass.

b. waitstaff will actually use this.

Come on. You look at a table. Glass is either full or empty. Or, if you are smart, you sold them a pitcher. That was probably the last technological update that any beer pouring establishment needed.

Fill glasses, fill pitcher, deliver to table. Periodically monitor the pitcher mechanism until you no longer detect an amber, or red, or dark, frothy content. When content is empty, fork a process to your waitress. Have her deliver a new pitcher of frothy goodness.

Electronic beer glasses, heh. Are they going to assign individual addresses to every glass made? Where there is one bar, there are more bars. Talk about miscommunication.

"OH! That must be glass 716 from across the street"

Heh,

-S

Whats next?

[ZaneMcAuley]

GPS navigation embedded in the glass so it can tell you where to find the toilets?

Not quite...

[BadDoggie]

Umm... Taco? The drunk people are the customers, who are rarely called upon to wash their own glasses, and most bars don't let the staff drink (bah!).

This might be kinda interesting for Oktoberfest, but the cost for more than 1M of the 1-liter mugs would be incredible. Speaking of Oktoberfest, I'll let you all in on how it all works here:

1. Put your butt on a bench and they'll bring you a beer. You will NOT be served at Oktoberfest unless you are seated. Everyone will let you sit down for the two or three minutes necessary to order a beer if you ask nicely and tell them that's what you're doing.
2. Tourists go to the HB (Hofbräuhaus); the best beer is Augustiner.
3. To be sure to get faster service, fuller beer steins and better food, tip 15% or more. The women work HARD (and if you had to listen to the "Hey, Baby" song 3 times an hour, 13 hours a day for 2 1/2 weeks straight, you'd understand).

woof.

What I need is not a beer mug that tells the staff I need another. I need one that tells me I don't!

Beer glasses?

[TheEidukas]

Why drink beer from a glass when my PBR comes pre-packaged in an easily disposable container?
Quite frankly this project is a waste of time and resources that could be more useful in the attaining of more beer and the consuming of materials thereof.
Why waste money on these glasses when the R&D money would be better suited to get more beer, cheaper for you and me... who's with me?

Re:Costs more, but works just as well

[DrXym]

Obviously you don't know much about Guinness or you wouldn't suggest such a thing. It should be poured slowly, left to settle and then drunk at leisure. You go up to the bar to order the new Guinness when the old one is about 1/5th from the bottom, to give the new one time to settle while you finish off the old one. If you keep topping it up, it will never settle properly.

Personally I drink Murphy's which is nicer.