The beer tower is an essential component of any bar or restaurant that serves draft beer. It is the vertical structure that holds the faucets or taps where the beer is dispensed into the glasses. But have you ever wondered how the beer tower actually works to keep the beer cold and delicious? Let's dive into the inner workings of a beer tower.
The beer tower is connected to the walk-in cooler through a single duct system. This system consists of two types of tubing – smaller diameter tubing and larger diameter tubing. The smaller diameter tubing is used to transport cold air from the walk-in cooler to the beer tower, while the larger diameter tubing is responsible for returning the air back to the cooler.
At the heart of the system is a blower fan, which is mounted inside the walk-in cooler. This fan plays a crucial role in forcing cold air through the smaller diameter tubing towards the beer tower. The cold air is directed towards the beer lines behind the faucets, ensuring that the beer inside the lines remains chilled.
The smaller diameter tubing acts as a conduit for the cold air, delivering it directly to the beer tower. This tubing is designed to be efficient in transferring the cold air and maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the beer lines. By keeping the beer lines cold, the beer tower ensures that the beer dispensed through the faucets is at the optimal temperature, enhancing its flavors and aromas.
Once the cold air reaches the beer tower and cools the beer lines, it needs to be circulated back to the walk-in cooler to maintain a continuous flow of cold air. This is where the larger diameter tubing comes into play. The larger diameter tubing serves as the return pathway for the cold air. It allows the air to travel back to the cooler, where it can be cooled again before being recirculated to the beer tower.
The single duct system used in beer towers is an efficient and effective way to keep the beer lines cold. It ensures that the beer dispensed from the faucets is always at the desired temperature, providing a refreshing and enjoyable drinking experience for customers. Additionally, the system helps to prevent the beer from foaming excessively, as the cold temperature helps to maintain the beer's carbonation levels.
In my experience as a sommelier and brewer, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of a properly functioning beer tower. A well-maintained tower with a reliable single duct system can make a significant difference in the quality of the beer being served. It ensures that the beer remains cold, refreshing, and full of flavor until the very last drop.
To summarize, a beer tower works by utilizing a single duct system connected to a walk-in cooler. A blower fan forces cold air through smaller diameter tubing, which delivers the cold air to the beer lines behind the faucets. The larger diameter tubing allows the air to return to the cooler, where it can be cooled again before being recirculated. This system maintains the beer lines at a consistent cold temperature, resulting in a perfectly chilled and delicious draft beer.