Bar taps

[Stu H]

Hey dudes,

I'm in the middle of pricing out a bar fit-out, and have been wondering about taps.

As a homebrewer, I own a keg system and have rigged up fonts and the like before to my kegerator, so I'm somewhat familiar to the whole thing.

I'm struggling to understand why it's made out that taps in a retail bar situation are so expensive... Maybe I'm missing a part of the puzzle? As far I can tell you need:

Chiller room (which I can get 2nd hand)

Refridgeration unit (2nd hand)

CO2 tank (hire?)

Regulator(s) ($120)

Beer line (cheap)

Beer towers ($200 US for a triple faucet, each)

Am I missing some part of the puzzle? I should probably mention I quite like the recycled look, and find those big shiny tap systems you see in "swill" bars pretty ugly....

Shit - you can even get beer engines from ebay in the UK for about 40 pounds a piece.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[JR]

I think the brewing network show you are after is a brew strong -the perfect pour- or something similar.

[Kelly Milligan]

Ahh yes you may be right! here it is: http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/562

[Edmund Barker]

Heya Stu,

I found this seller on Trade Me (in no way associated or anything) who may be of interest. It looks like they're selling up heaps of bar gear. I know nothing about where they sit on price comparison though, just a thought :)

[Stu H]

Wow cheers Edmund!

[Edmund Barker]

No worries mate, I found this from Rhyno's link in Beer Gear on trademe and clicking on the user. It looks like they've got enough gear to set a couple of bars up with! Are you opening a bar yourself, or helping someone else with theirs?

[Stu H]

Me and a friend are looking at opening one up early next year, exciting times.

[Edmund Barker]

Sounds awesome! Exciting indeed. I'm in Welly, but will definitely give you some custom when I'm in Auckland and it's all up and running. I'm considering starting something in Welly in a few years time (I need to get good at brewing first!) but would be interested to talk sometime about your experiences in setting it up.

[Stu H]

Totally man, gotta see if this one gets off the ground first.

[Edmund Barker]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, Good luck with the planning and purchasing.

[Ian Marriott]

Stu,

Have a look at my website www.tahibar.com and you will see that we have a set of taps I built from an engine intake manifold and as we speak I am building a second set from a Porsche manifold. The actual tap fittings were sourced off trade me. flick me an e-mail if you want to know more.

Ian

[Stu H]

Wow that's pretty epic Ian! How are you keeping your beer cold?