How Beer Taps Work

In order to serve beer at a party one needs to know how beer taps work. Beer held in a keg and dispensed through a tap is most appreciated by beer lovers. Beer taps work by making beer accessible for beer drinkers.

Beer taps work in a system consisting of a keg or kegerator, and carbon dioxide cylinder. A keg is a metallic cylinder used to store beer. This is used when beer needs to be supplied in large quantities. A kegerator is a refrigerator that holds a keg and carbon dioxide cylinder to supply cold beer directly.

In bars where a large number of people need to be served at one time, beer taps prove to be extremely helpful. Here carbon dioxide cylinders are used to force beer out of the keg. Beer tap comes with a nozzle and two tubes. The nozzle is screwed on to the keg and one out let joined to the carbon dioxide cylinder. Due to atmospheric pressure gas fills the keg and beer is forced out of the other tube. This creates a constant flow of beer suitable for a large population of drinkers.

During private parties, kegs often come with a beer tap that has a hand pump. Here air is pumped manually into the keg filling it and forcing beer to displace out to the outlet. This type of beer tap is used for small scale domestic use. The basic factor in working of a beer tap is atmospheric pressure, allowing the keg to be filled with a gas and force the beer out.

Some bars now offer beer taps that are attached to the tables. These beer taps are powered electronically and have a system that measures the amount of beer dispensed. Customers can self serve without the annoyance of having to wait for staff.

Reference:

Beer facts