How does a beer tap system work?

A beer dispensing system works on the principle of drawing beer from a keg in a controlled and pressurized manner and then pouring it into a glass via a tap. The dispensing system ensures that the beer is served fresh, well-carbonated, and with the right head. The process begins with the beer keg, which is pressurized to transport the beer through the pipes. A CO₂ cylinder is usually connected to the system to fill the keg with carbon dioxide. The CO₂ not only ensures that the beer is constantly pressurized but also helps maintain the carbonation of the beer.

The tap head, which is placed on the beer keg's valve, forms the connection between the keg and the dispensing system. It has two connections: one for the beer and one for the CO₂ gas. Once the tap head is correctly installed and the lever is pulled, the keg's valve opens, and the CO₂ flows into the keg. The pressure of the CO₂ pushes the beer through the beer line that leads from the tap head to the dispensing system.

The beer then flows through a cooling unit, if the dispensing system has one. Here, the beer is cooled to the desired drinking temperature for perfect chilled service. Many professional dispensing systems have built-in flow cooling, which cools the beer immediately as it flows, while simpler systems often work with pre-chilled beer.

At the end of the beer line is the tap, through which the beer is poured into the glass. The tap is designed to deliver the beer at the correct pressure and speed to control foam formation and create a consistent head. Through the combination of pressure control, cooling, and the dispensing mechanism, the dispensing system ensures that the beer is always served fresh and of high quality.

After tapping, the CO₂ remains in the keg to maintain constant pressure and prepare the beer for the next dispensing. This process repeats until the keg is empty. Modern dispensing systems also often offer options for cleaning the lines and adjusting the pressure to ensure optimal beer quality.