Time could soon be called on the traditional British barmaid after a brewery developed a robot bartender.

Brewery executives say that the life-size robot — called Mr Asahi — serves pints, half pints or bottles in less than two minutes — saving the average drinker 13 minutes an evening while waiting for their drink.

The robot, made by the Japanese brewer Asahi, weighs a quarter of a tonne and answers customers’ questions using an electronic voice system.

Mr Asahi is touring bars and clubs around Britain, having completed six months of training, and is due to tour the US. The robot is based on a computer that controls and regulates compressed air through valves to provide the animatronics needed to pull a pint, and will cost landlords £100,000.

Simon Brewer, spokesman for Asahi, added: “To our knowledge he is the very first robotic barman in the world. One or two people said that they do not think it will replace the traditional barmaid, but I suppose it could be the beginning of the end.

“We needed to make sure he would pour the right amount of beer with no froth — it was just like training a real barman. I am absolutely sure that he could be developed to make cocktails,” Mr Brewer added.

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