SELF-service beer has been a hit at one of the first pubs in the country to try it.

The idea was introduced at the Grasshopper in Bournemouth Road, Parkstone, under a recent £1.8million refurbishment.

Since the upgrade, customers at two tables have been able to dispense their own beer without having to go back to the bar.

Matt Hughes, general manager of the Hall & Woodhouse pub, said: “It’s been really well received. I think it’s going to be even more popular come Christmas.

“A lot of people want to come in and use it. The feedback has been amazing.”

Hall & Woodhouse has invested £30million in its Dorset pubs over the past five years, and the Grasshopper is the first to try the self-service beers.

“It’s a first for Hall & Woodhouse and probably one of the first few in the country,” said Mr Hughes.

The self-service taps currently offer a choice of Aspall dry cider, Birra Moretti lager or Hall & Woodhouse’s Wicked Wyvern IPA.

“You come and see one of our team members at the bar. They will set up a tab but we will use a bank card to secure the tab,” said Mr Hughes.

“Then you take the correct glass and return to your table.”

Customers then order from a tablet device at the table and dispense their own drinks.

The technology knows how much drink to dispense, so if the customer doesn’t pour all the beer at the first attempt, the rest is still there ready.

The need to set up a tab with a price limit ensures that the pub sticks to its legal obligation not to serve anyone who is intoxicated. Children are not allowed at the self-service tables.

Some customers have already suggested widening the self-service options to include Prosecco.

Mr Hughes, who joined the pub just before Christmas, has worked at several Hall & Woodhouse pubs, most recently the Duchess of Cornwall at Poundbury.

The Grasshopper was originally the Half Way Hotel because of its location between Bournemouth and Poole. Parts of the Bournemouth Road pub’s original Victorian brewery have been incorporated into the design during the refurbishment.

Hall & Woodhouse managing director Anthony Woodhouse said recently: “It is one of our flagship pubs and the Grasshopper is trading beyond expectations, which shows that it has been well received by our locals. We thought that the time was right to give it a new lease of life for our guests’ continued enjoyment.”