Types of draft beer dispensers: how to choose the perfect one for you

Nothing beats a well-served, well-poured draft beer at the right temperature, which is why it is important to know the types of draft beer dispensers and their peculiarities to choose the ideal one for you - or your business.

We have picked out a few for you to evaluate and find the perfect one for you!

How a draft beer dispenser works

Draft beer is simply unpasteurized beer, which makes it tastier! In a dispenser, the liquid leaves the keg with the help of pressure.

It is possible to control this pressure through the equipment's tap and, besides pressure, temperature is also controlled, which is ensured by an aqueous solution and maintained by the coil.

Ice-cooled dispenser

It is simple and practical to operate, but it is only suited to occasions with few people, since the beer flows out more slowly. Its biggest advantage is that it does not need electricity.

One of the most important recommendations is to never put coarse salt or alcohol in the dispenser's ice, as this will automatically freeze the liquid inside the coil and “lock” the flow of beer – which can take up to 3 hours to thaw.

• To avoid problems, follow these tips:
• Do not leave the keg exposed to the sun, as this can change the composition of the product;
• The foam in the draft beer almost always happens because the drink is warm or at room temperature. In that case, it is time to add more ice;

Electric dispenser

The electric dispenser is a good option to rent for events such as birthdays, barbecues and corporate parties, or for bars where the flow of draft beer is not very high. That is because a higher dispensing flow needs faster cooling to meet demand.

The choice of dispenser will depend on your needs, since there are several machine models that serve smaller and larger demand.

And to get it right when serving draft beer, watch out for these tips:

• Never touch the thermostat, as it comes set from the supplier/store;
• Check that the power supply at the location is of good quality. If the power goes out there is nothing you can do: your draft beer will warm up.

Gas-powered dispenser

The gas-powered dispenser is used in bars with a higher flow of customers. It can be mounted on a tower or on a wall and works together with a cold room, which keeps the kegs stored at a controlled temperature.

It eliminates any kind of manual pump because it has a CO2 gas cylinder that pushes the beer to the tap, and the tap separates the beer from the foam through an automatic mechanism. Cooling is done by a coil with ice, as in the manual type.

Normally, the gas-powered dispenser is used with an Italian or Belgian tap, which works by pouring the liquid when pulled forward and foam (cream) when pushed back.

A few tips for getting the best possible use out of the gas-powered dispenser:

• This system has a flow regulator next to the tap, and one secret to containing foam is to reduce the flow;
• The pressure of this gas is a determining factor in the quality of the drink, which is why we recommend using a mix of CO2 and nitrogen, which maintains pressure but avoids over-carbonating the beer, in addition to creating a creamier foam when pouring a draft beer.

Self-pour dispenser

Self-pour draft beer is an automation of the line. The equipment brings intelligence to draft beer lines that are already refrigerated – which can come from cold rooms, containers, refrigerated counters and even electric dispensers.

A self-pour dispenser can be used in bars, restaurants or any other establishment that sells draft beer (or other kegged drinks, such as cocktails). It is ideal for places where the flow of draft beer is high, since the initial customer reception is handled by the system itself.

All the information customers need to know what (and from whom) they are drinking is on the screen. The brewery's visual identity, information about the beer and details such as IBU and alcohol content.

Some advantages of the myTapp self-pour system:

• It lets customers top up their card – besides at the establishment's own counter – directly through the myTapp app. Very easy and practical;

• Using the app, you can scan a QR Code directly on the screen to unlock the tap and pour the beer. This alternative was created because customers who get your establishment's custom card may forget it once in a while;

• It records customers' consumption so you know what they like most, what they like least, which drink was consumed the most and dozens of other pieces of information that can help you think strategically about your business;

• It is innovative, attracting new customers and building loyalty among existing ones.

If you were unsure about the types of draft beer dispensers, we hope this post has helped. As you may have noticed, there are some variables to take into account, such as the number of people who will be drinking the beer and the type of experience you want to have.

Do you love draft beer? Do you have a bar? Want to make life easier for your customers and for yourself? Request a contact and discover all the advantages of the myTapp self-pour system.

Want to learn more about myTapp and how we can bring technology to your establishment? Request a contact!

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