Amazing Benefits of Installing a 4 Tap Beer Tower System

Introducing the 4 Tap Beer Tower

For bars, pubs, and restaurants looking to enhance the draft beer experience for customers, installing a 4 tap beer tower can be an excellent investment. These towers allow establishments to serve up to four different brews from the same dispensing unit, providing variety and unique presentation that patrons will love.

What is a Beer Tower?

A beer tower is a specialized dispensing system designed to serve and display multiple beer taps in one visually striking unit. Unlike traditional tap walls that feature independent draft faucets mounted in a line, towers utilize stacked taps flowing into a transparent container that showcases the beers as they are poured.

Modern draft towers are usually made of stainless steel or chrome-plated brass for durability and an eye-catching look. They use standard kegs and tap systems to deliver cold brews from lower storage areas through tubes up to the visible pouring station up top.

Benefits of a 4 Tap Beer Tower

Here are some of the major benefits that a 4 tap beer tower offers over traditional draft faucet setups:

• Space saving - Towers allow up to 4 beers to be poured from the same compact station, saving bar space.
• Visual appeal - Watching beers fill the tower chamber and cascade into glasses is intriguing for customers.
• Pouring entertainment - Bartenders can put on a show by demonstrating their pouring skills.
• Product variety - More taps means more beer choices and styles to satisfy patrons.
• Conversation starter - The tower's unique look often attracts attention and curios questions from patrons.
• Increased sales - Studies show perceived variety can increase overall beer sales.

Important Considerations Before Installing a Beer Tower

While 4 tap beer towers provide some great benefits, they aren't the right fit for every bar. Before making an investment, it's important to think about the following:

• Available space - Make sure there is adequate room for the tower and 4 keg hookups.
• Beer variety - More variety requires more keg storage room and tap line cleaning.
• Pouring skills - Staff should be trained on the specialized pouring process.
• Cleaning/maintenance - Daily cleaning and tower upkeep is required.
• Budget - Towers ranges widely in price from around $1,500 up to $4,000+.

Top Beer Tower Systems

If after considering a tower you decide moving forward, choosing an high-quality system designed for commercial use is key. Here are two of top-rated 4 tap beer towers on the market:

Perlick 650SS 4-Faucet Beer Dispenser

Perlick is one of most trusted names in commercial beer dispensing equipment. The Perlick 650SS tower features:

• Durable stainless steel construction
• Tempered glass viewer chamber
• Four standard Perlick faucets with lever handles
• 8" clearance for growlers and pitchers
• 1" NPT beer line inlets
• 1995 price: Around $1,500

Micro Matic Four Tap Beer Dispenser

Micro Matic is another top brand in the industry. Their 4 tap beer tower includes:

• Triple-chrome plated brass body
• Four forward-facing beer faucets
• Tubular stainless steel drip tray
• Tempered glass viewer chamber
• 1995 price: Around $2,100

Pouring Beers from a Tower

Installing the tower is only half the process to properly serving beers. Staff need to learn the nuances of pouring from a stacked multi-tap tower system. Here are some tips:

Hold glasses at a 45 degree angle

Beer towers dispense from taps several feet above the counter. Holding glasses at an angle helps diffuse the flow and build up an appropriate amount of foam head.

Start/stop the pour smoothly

Sudden starts and stops when opening/closing the taps will cause excess foam. Train staff to start and end pours gradually.

Fine tune pour speed based on glass size

Adjust flow speed based on the size of glass being filled. Larger volumes require a slower, more controlled pour to prevent overflow.

Allow beer to settle before topping off

After finishing the pour, let the beer rest for 30-60 seconds so foam can settle before topping off the final level.

Clean taps and tower daily

Follow a strict regimen of cleaning taps, faucet nozzles, dripping trays, and the tower interior daily to prevent contamination and adhere to health codes.

Showcase Your Unique Beer Selection

A 4 tap beer tower is a sizable investment, but the beautiful presentation and versatile pouring options provide major benefits for bars with the infrastructure to support one. Patrons will marvel at the cascading streams of cold, delicious beer options flowing from this captivating showpiece.

FAQs

What are the most popular beer tower brands?

Two of the most highly rated commercial 4 tap beer tower systems are from Perlick and Micro Matic. Both companies specialize in bar and beer dispensing equipment.

What size beers can be poured from a tower?

Most towers can accommodate pints, half pints, growlers, and pitchers. Many feature at least 8 inches of clearance between taps and the drip tray specifically for larger volumes.

How much beer variety does a tower require?

To justify a 4 tap tower, having at least 4 beers available is recommended. Otherwise, unused lines will need to be frequently cleaned anyway. Optimal variety is 8-12 beers to rotate taps.

Do staff need special training on pouring from a tower?

Yes, there are a few nuances to properly pouring draft beers from an elevated multi-tap tower system. Staff should be trained on things like glass angle, pour speed, stopping/starting flow, and letting foam settle.