So ok, I do owe beertenders an apology. Folks, I am sorry. Some of my comments were insulting, obnoxious, and totally unnecessary. I totally acknowledge that. And I do sincerely mean it when I say I am sorry. Believe it or not, despite my comments, I am not one of those people who treats service workers poorly. Just the opposite. I tip them well and treat them with respect, regardless of how hard they roll their eyes at me when I politely ask them to get me a different beer because the one they just gave me was a diacetyl bomb.
But I do stand by the opinion that, in light of the modern tech of self-serve handles and RFID tech for payment, the job of beertending is completely unnecessary and akin to the old-fashioned gas station attendant who pumped gas for you. The current model won't go away anytime soon, because of course paradigms are hard to change. But I would much rather go to a self-serve establishment rather than wait in (usually a long) line and eventually order from a beetender that may or may not be having a good day. I do not immediately see what reality or knowledge I am being ignorant of when I share the opinion that the job of beertending is totally unnecessary. I was in the industry for a while and interfaced closely with the front of the house and I feel like I know what I am talking about.
But back to this: My comments were totally out of line, and I apologize to all.