Have you thought about installing a beer tap in your kitchen?
In 2016, internet forums and media of dubious reputation echoed what we now call fake news: Belgian citizens would be able to pour beer from the taps in their homes. This falsehood was inspired by a project from the century‑old brewery Brugse Zot, which had planned to transport its beer from the brewery in the heart of Bruges to the bottling plant on the outskirts of the city via underground pipes, thus avoiding the constant traffic of trucks.
Yes, the idea of beer coming out of household taps was fake, but it made one thing clear: we’d love to have a beer tap at home. So why not? Whether in your kitchen, on the patio, or in the garden.
Contrary to what it may seem, installing a beer tap at home is simple, especially if you have a trusted supplier like Install Beer which, in addition to offering technical service, also sells the necessary equipment and components. What elements do you need for your tap system? Let’s take a look:
- Draft beer tap
- Column or tower
- Serving tray
- Chiller unit, the typical one with the coil or by gas expansion
- Extractor head, remember that there are different types depending on the keg
- Pressure Regulator pressure regulator
- Tubes to connect the keg to the tap and the gas to the keg
Once the system is set up and all the components are connected, we must be careful when tapping the keg. Depending on the type you choose, make sure that the horizontal inlet is for the gas, so the beer has enough counterpressure, and that the perpendicular outlet is where the liquid comes out.
Once you’ve got your tap system up and running, remember that proper cleaning and maintenance are essential—along with cleaning tanks—if you want to enjoy your beer with full flavor and complete peace of mind. In our cleaning section you’ll find which products you should use to keep your tap in optimal condition. Like any other item in your kitchen, it needs maintenance. After all, you do clean your fridge every so often to better preserve fresh food, don’t you?
Pay special attention to cleaning the coupler every time you change the keg. Take care of the drip tray where beer residue falls, as it is a breeding ground for microorganisms. Likewise, keep an eye on the condensation that the cooler may produce, since moisture can build up and lead to damp areas or mold.
Above all, it’s important that you know the shelf life of the beer. As a rule of thumb, a keg can last up to two months. After that, the risk is not only that the beer will lose its organoleptic properties, but that it will spoil due to contamination or oxidation. In any case, the duration depends on the style, and ultimately you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
