A beer tower (also known as a portable beer tap, a tabletop beer dispenser, a triton dispenser or a beer giraffe) is a beer dispensing device, sometimes found in bars, pubs and restaurants. The idea behind beer towers is that several patrons in a group can serve themselves the amount of beer they want without having to order individually.
The device comes in a variety of sizes, most often double to triple the size of standard beer pitchers that hold around 48–60 U.S. fluid ounces (1.4–1.8 L) of beer.[1]
Early versions came in the shape of a four-foot tall plastic cylinder attached to a beer tap at the bottom. Current models sometimes have several dispensing valves, to allow for simultaneous dispense.
Chilling of the beer is usually achieved with ice chambers or with freezable ice packs; these are traditionally located internally, but may be external for increased hygiene when handling. The actual dispense mechanism is usually in the form of a simplified beer tap or designed pouring mechanism.[2]
- ^ Rocheleau, Matt (29 March 2011). "Boston licensing officials suspend use of large, portable "beer towers"". Boston.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
- ^ "Portable beverage-dispensing device for use by groups". 15 July 2010. Retrieved 3 July 2020.