Conceived as an efficient bottle filling alternative to the standard beer tap, the PEGAS CraftTap is due to go on sale from April.
Micro brewers distributing relatively small quantities of beer bottles are envisaged as the main target market for the new filling technology. Rather than using a standard beer tap and tube, brewers can invest in the PEGAS CraftTap to reduce long-term filling costs.
Efficiency claims
Novosibirskprodmash said for these brewers, the new system reduces beer wastage and increases keg yield by up to 98 per cent. The Russian company also claims that the filler, which takes up 13.8 x 13.8” in space, increases the filling rate (~68 fl.oz in 60 seconds).
Brewers distributing bottled beers to retailers and bars are not the only targets for the PEGAS CraftTap. Novosibirskprodmash said craft brewers and bars may also use the tap to offer draft beer to take-away - a service that is particularly popular in Germany.
For those already offering this service, the company said using the PEGAS CraftTap will enable them to increase profit from beer-to-go sales by up to 20 per cent.
Pilot version
Novosibirskprodmash first presented a pilot version of the filler at Brau Beviale in 2008 and since then the Russian company has been working on modifications.
Spokesperson Olga Zobova told BeverageDaily.com that the company responded to industry feedback by improving the compatibility of the system. This meant making it suitable for different beer types as well as different bottle types and sizes.
For example, to be made attractive in the European market, Zobova said it was essential to make the PEGAS CraftTap compatible with glass bottles.
To coincide with the commercial launch of the new product, Novosibirskprodmash is presenting it to the US market at the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, in Chicago on April 8-9.