TURBOTAP INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDEBOOK

Transcription

1 TURBOTAP INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDEBOOK FOR FOODSERVICE PROFESSIONALS TT806510_001

2 TurboTap is a registered trademark of Laminar Technologies, LLC, Chicago, IL U.S.A. TurboTap and related technologies are protected by U.S. patents 5,842,617 and 7,040,359 with additional U.S. and foreign patent applications pending. All rights reserved. Without the written permission of Laminar Technologies, LLC, no part of this publication, whether text, diagram, chart or other illustration, and whether or not it carries a further copyright notice, may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrival system. Copyright 2006 by Laminar Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. Laminar Technologies, LLC, 440 N Wells St Ste 510, Chicago, IL U.S.A. Visit our website at 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 5 Pouring Instructions - Standard Pour... 6 Pouring Instructions - Modified Pour... 8 Pouring Instructions - Pitchers The Perfect Pour Common Pouring Mistakes Attaching TurboTap TurboTap Cleaning Beer Temperature Keg Pressure Overview Understanding Gas Systems Foam Detection Devices (FOBs) Kegs in Series Basic Troubleshooting

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5 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Thank you working with TurboTap, the future of pouring beer. When using TurboTap in conjunction with a healthy, well-maintained draft beer system, you will pour beer faster, waste less beer due to overfoaming and spillage, and pour great-looking, great-tasting beers. We have tried to make TurboTap as simple to use as possible, but it still will require a small amount of training and practice to perfect the pouring procedure. Please follow the pouring instructions as well as the do s and don ts found here to hone your technique, and please pass on what you learn to your fellow managers and staff. Typical draft system problems, like overfoaming, are rarely the result of TurboTap. Rather, these problems have their roots in other parts of your draft system. This Guidebook attempts to help you diagnose common draft system problems. If you are experiencing draft system difficulties, please contact your supervisor or draft system manager immediately. Also, feel free to contact us at TurboTap at any time -- we are always happy to help! The idea for TurboTap started years ago when I was a college student waiting in a long line for beer. Today, TurboTap is found at premier stadiums, arenas, pubs and restaurants around the world. I am humbled that you and your staff will now be using TurboTap to pour faster, better beer. Cheers! Matthew Younkle Inventor of the TurboTap 5

6 HOW TO POUR WITH TURBOTAP - STANDARD POUR Conventional beer taps work by pouring beer from the top-down. TurboTap works by pouring beer from the bottom-up. This novel approach allows for faster, more controlled pours. Use the Standard Pour technique when TurboTap is long enough to reach all the way to the bottom of the cup or glass. Pouring beer with TurboTap is easy. When honing your technique and training your staff, please keep in mind the following important points: 1. Always begin each pour by touching the bottom of the cup to the bottom of the TurboTap. 2. Open and close the tap quickly and completely. (Opening and closing slowly or partially will generate extra foam.) 3. Allow beer to fill all the way to the top of the cup before closing the tap. 4. If you must top off a beer using TurboTap, first re-touch the bottom of the cup to the bottom of the TurboTap. Then, quickly open and close the tap. 5. When pouring multiple beers, close the tap between each pour. Do not use the scoop technique as excessive foaming will result. (Trust us, you will still serve beer faster with TurboTap than with the scoop technique.) Note: Always begin each pour with a clean cup or glass; do not reuse glassware. Use the Standard Pour when TurboTap reaches the bottom of the cup or glass. 6

7 POURING INSTRUCTIONS: STANDARD POUR 4 EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT POUR Touch bottom of the cup to the bottom of the TurboTap. There is no need to tilt the cup! Quickly snap tap completely open. Keep the cup touching bottom of the TurboTap. When beer fills to top of the cup, Lower the cup from the TurboTap. q uickly snap tap completely closed. Serve the perfect TurboTapped beer to the thirsty customer. B e a responsible server. Remember to check ID s. 7

8 HOW TO POUR WITH TURBOTAP - MODIFIED POUR Use the Modified Pour techique only when the bottom of the TurboTap will not reach all the way to the bottom of the cup or glass. Many elements of the Modified Pour remain the same as with the Standard Pour. When learning this technique, make note of the following tips: Tilt the glass so that it covers the faucet button. 1. Begin each pour by positioning the bottom of the TurboTap as close as possible to the bottom of the glass. Then, tilt the glass so that it touches the side of the TurboTap and covers the faucet button. 2. Open and close the tap quickly and completely. (Opening and closely slowly or partially will generate extra foam.) 3. Allow beer to fill all the way to the top of the glass before closing the tap. Once beer is covering the bottom of the TurboTap, you can straighten the glass. 4. If you must top off a beer using TurboTap, first possition the bottom of the TurboTap as low in the glass as possible. Then, open and close the tap. 5. When pouring multiple beers, close the tap between each pour. Do not use the scoop technique as excessive foaming will result. (Trust us, you will still serve beer faster with TurboTap than with the scoop technique.) Note: Always begin each pour with a clean cup or glass; do not reuse glassware. Use the Modified Pour when TurboTap will not reach the bottom of the cup or glass. Touch the bottom of the TurboTap to the side of the glass. 8

9 POURING INSTRUCTIONS: MODIFIED POUR 4 STEPS TO A PERFECT POUR Position the TurboTap as close to the bottom of the glass as possible and touch it to the side of the glass. Q uickly snap tap completely open. When beer fills to top of the glass, Lower the glass from the TurboTap. Keep the glass touching the TurboTap. q uickly snap tap completely closed. Serve the perfect TurboTapped beer to the thirsty customer. B e a responsible server. Remember to check ID s. 9

10 HOW TO POUR WITH TURBOTAP - POURING PITCHERS Due to the height of most pitchers, it is unlikely that TurboTap will reach all the way to the bottom. Accordingly, you will likely need to use the Modified Pour techique when pouring into pitchers. When pouring pitchers using the Modified Pour technique, the same tips apply as when pouring into taller glasses: 1. Begin each pour by positioning the bottom of the TurboTap as close as possible to the bottom of the pitcher. Then, tilt the pitcher so that it touches the side of the TurboTap. 2. Open and close the tap quickly and completely. (Opening and closely slowly or partially will generate extra foam.) 3. Allow beer to fill all the way to the top of the pitcher before closing the tap. Once beer is covering the bottom of the TurboTap, you can straighten the pitcher. 4. If you must top off a beer using TurboTap, first possition the bottom of the TurboTap as low in the pitcher as possible. Then, open and close the tap. Touch the bottom of the TurboTap to the side of the pitcher. Use the Modified Pour if TurboTap does not reach the bottom of the picher. 10

11 POURING INSTRUCTIONS: PITCHERS 4 EASY STEPS TO A PERFECT POUR Position the TurboTap as close to the bottom of the pitcher as possible. Tilt the pitcher so that the bottom of the TurboTap touches the side. Quickly snap tap completely open. Keep the side of the pitcher touching the TurboTap. Serve When beer reaches the bottom of the TurboTap, straighten the pitcher. the perfect TurboTapped beer When beer fills to top of the pitcher, quickly snap tap completely closed. Lower the pitcher from the TurboTap. to the thirsty customer. B e a responsible server. Remember to check ID s. 11

12 THE IMPORTANCE OF A FOAM COLLAR Beer is meant to be served with a collar of foam. This collar is formed by the break-out of carbon dioxide from the beer, and it enhances the beer s taste and aroma. Plus, pouring each beer with a foam collar makes the beer look like it does in the commercials. Serving beer with the proper 1/2 to 1 foam collar does not just make for better advertisements, it truly makes for better beer. Top reasons to serve every beer with a 1/2 to 1 foam collar: 1. The beer will look as intended by the brewery. 1/2 to 1 2. The beer will taste as intended by the brewery. 3. The beer will be more drinkable due to the proper breakout of CO The beer will be easier to carry and less likely to spill on its journey from the tap to its point of consumption. 5. Plastic cups and beer glasses are measured to allow for a foam collar at the top; you will NOT be serving your customer less beer than purchased. Serve every beer with a foam collar. 6. You will waste A LOT less beer than if you attempt to pour liquid beer to the exact top of the cup or glass. 12

13 ANATOMY OF A PERFECT POUR ANATOMY OF A PERFECT POUR The perfect pour starts with a healthy beer system having clean beer lines, clean couplers, clean faucets, and clean TurboTaps. Your draft system should also store beer at the proper pressure and at the brewery recommended temperature, typically 38 F. Always begin each pour with a new cup or a beer-clean glass or pitcher. TurboTap s bottom-up filling technology facilitates the proper break-out of foam throughout the pour, delivering the brewery-recommended 1/2 to 1 foam collar on every pour. Tight, long-lasting foam consistency Proper 1/2 to 1 thick foam collar New plastic cup Tight, long-lasting foam consistency Proper 1/2 to 1 thick foam collar Beer-clean glass 13

14 COMMON TURBOTAP POURING MISTAKES While TurboTap is overall simpler to use than conventional beer taps, careful attention to a few details will ensure many successful pours. As manager, please help your staff avoid and correct the common mistakes seen when using TurboTap. These mistakes are most often the result of bad habits developed when pouring beer with conventional taps. DO Begin your pour by touching the bottom of the cup to the bottom of the TurboTap. DO Begin your pour by touching the bottom of the cup to the bottom of the TurboTap. Proper training along with regular enforcement of the TurboTap pouring technique will deliver superior keg yields and transaction times to your organization. DON T Begin your pour with the bottom of the TurboTap hovering over the cup. DON T Begin your pour with the bottom of the TurboTap positioned at the lip of the cup. 14

15 COMMON POURING MISTAKES D O For tall cups and pitchers, position the TurboTap as close to the bottom of the container as possible and touch it to the side of the container. D O Open and close D O the tap from the base of the tap handle. Open and close the tap quickly and completely. DON T Begin pouring a tall cup or pitcher without touching the end of the TurboTap to the side of the container. DON T Operate the DON T TurboTap by grasping the top of the draft handle. Grabbing the top of the draft handle will cause the faucet to open and close too slowing for TurboTap use. Open and close the tap slowly or partially. 15

16 ATTACHING TURBOTAP The TurboTap is a retrofit product that attaches to existing beer faucets. Two o-rings seal the TurboTap around the spout of the beer faucet and also hold the TurboTap in place. Additionally, SL model TurboTaps use two set screws to lock the TurboTap to the faucet. Considerations when attaching TurboTap: 1. Be sure that end of the faucet spout has passed both o-rings and is seated flush against the TurboTap. 2. The SL model set screws have proprietary pentagon-shaped heads. 3. Removal and tightening of set screws requires a proprietary pentagon-shaped allen wrench provided by TurboTap. TurboTap Set Screw ( SL models only) Pent Wrench ( SL models only) 4. Do not overtighten the set screws -- they may strip. 5. To ensuer proper alignment of the TurboTap with the faucet spout, tighten each set screw an equal number of turns. 6. When tightening a set screw, if grinding or binding occurs, back out the screw and replace it with a new screw. Faucet TurboTap TurboTap Assembly (cutaway view of SL model) O-Ring Set Screw O-Ring 16

17 ATTACHING TURBOTAP ATTACHING TURBOTAP Be careful not to overtighten, or the set screw may strip! The TurboTap attaches to conventional faucets using two o-rings. The o-rings press against the faucet spout to hold the TurboTap in place. To install, push the TurboTap up around the spout of the faucet. It may help to twist while pushing. Wetting the area around the o-rings with water or beer can also make installation easier. Be sure that the end of the faucet spout has passed both o-rings. The TurboTap must be positioned against the end of the faucet spout or else performance may be affected. If working with a locking TurboTap, tighten the set screws to lock the TurboTap in place. To ensure proper alignment, tighten each screw an equal number of turns. 17

18 KEEPING TURBOTAP CLEAN The TurboTap is precision cast from stainless steel and then electro-polished to ensure a microscopically smooth, easy to clean surface finish. Models 375S, 475S and 575S are certified by NSF International, an independent food safety organization. With only a small amount of routine care, TurboTap should be the cleanest component of your draft beer system. To keep TurboTap clean, always: 1. Rinse and wipe down the TurboTap before and after each day of use. 2. Have the TurboTap removed from the faucet and thoroughly cleaned by a professional beer line cleaner once every two weeks. 3. Use TurboCaps at the close of business each day to prevent debris and insects from entering into the TurboTap. 4. TurboCaps should be rinsed out daily. Consider soaking them in water or seltzer water when not in use. Be sure TurboCaps are in place when the TurboTap is not in use to prevent debris and insects from entering into the TurboTap. Note: Some breweries recommend daily cleaning procedures that may differ slightly from those described here. Check with TurboTap for more information. 18

19 DAILY CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS SUGGESTED DAILY CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS Fill a clean glass or pitcher with warm water. Completely submerge the TurboTap for five seconds. Repeat three times. Clean the outside of the TurboTap by thoroughly wiping it down with a clean, lint-free, moist cloth. Note: TurboClean wipes may be used in Step 3 to sanitize the exterior surfaces of the TurboTap. Thank you for keeping the TurboTap clean and for pouring your customers perfect beer. 19

20 THE IMPORTANCE OF TEMPERATURE Most draft beer problems are caused by warm beer. Beer should always be served at the brewery recommended temperature. For most common American beers, the optimal serving temperature is 38 F. Consistently serving beer at the proper temperature requires adequate refrigeration for your kegs, and proper insulation and cooling of long draft beer lines. As manager, you can also implement straightforward procedures to ensure your customers always receive cold beer. Simple steps to ensure cold beer: A 38 F keg left outside takes only two hours to warm-up ten degrees Be sure kegs are delivered cold, in refrigerated trucks. 2. Be sure kegs are not allowed to sit in nonrefrigerated enviroments (see illustration at right). 3. Attempt to have kegs delivered as early as possible before use to allow adequate time for kegs that may have warmed during transport to cool to the recommended serving temperature....that same keg will then take sixteen hours to chill back to 38 F when placed in a 36 F cooler. 4. Keep all cooler doors closed and position kegs away from cooler openings. 20

21 BEER TEMPERATURE GUIDELINES PERFECT TEMPERATURE, PERFECT BEER This is important, so we ll repeat it again: MOST DRAFT BEER PROBLEMS ARE THE RESULT OF WARM BEER Beer must be kept cold in the keg and throughout its journey from the keg to the cup. Most common types of beer should be stored and served at 38 F. While TurboTap will deliver a better beer at any temperature, TurboTap will deliver a perfect pour, every pour, when used with cold beer. Beer Temperature Common types of beer should be served cold at 38 F. Most draft system problems are caused by warm beer. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of poured beer. For the most accurate reading, position the end of the probe in the middle of the glass. Cooler Temperature The temperature inside your beer cooler should be 36 to 38 F. The air temperature inside your cooler can fluctuate quickly (for example, when leaving the cooler door open). For an accurate reading of your average cooler temperature, measure the temperature of liquid in the cooler. Either use a special-purpose liquid temperature thermometer, or simply take the temperature of a bottle of beer or water stored in your cooler. 21

22 KEG PRESSURE TurboTap believes your beer should be perfect - perfect pouring, perfect tasting, perfect looking. A key part of this is ensuring the gas pressure to your kegs is correct. After temperature, pressure is the next biggest cause of draft beer system trouble. Gas pressure to the keg serves two purposes. First, gas pressure is used to propel the beer from the keg through the beer line to the TurboTap. Second, the correct type and pressure of gas allows beer to maintain its proper level of carbonation when stored for several days or several weeks. The proper gas pressure to apply to the keg varies depending on a host of factors, including type of beer, type of gas, the gas blend, the length of the beer line, the change in elevation between the keg and the TurboTap, and the desired flow rate. TurboTap takes all of these factors into consideration when determining the correct pressure Set-Point for each keg. If you are experiencing draft problems, NEVER ATTEMPT TO MAKE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENTS! Here s why: 1. Most draft problems are the result of incorrect temperatures. Changing pressures will only make the problem worse. 2. TurboTap beer systems typically operate at pressures higher than conventional industry settings. Adjusting the pressure will reduce system performance. 3. TurboTap tracks system pressure settings in a database. Changing pressures will make it more difficult to service your beer system. TurboTap will document the proper pressure Set-Point inside the cooler near each pressure regulator. NEVER ATTEMPT TO MAKE PRESSURE ADJUSTMENTS YOURSELF. If you are experiencing draft problems and notice a pressure regulator reading that deviates more than a few psi from its listed Set-Point, notify your draft system manager or contact TurboTap. 22

23 PRESSURE SET-POINTS UNDERSTANDING PRESSURE SET-POINTS TurboTap will determine the proper pressure Set-Point for each beer line at the time of installation. This Set-Point will be indicated in the cooler, adjacent to the secondary regulator. If you experience draft problems, check to ensure that the pressure Set-Point matches the pressure indicated by the secondary regulator. If the pressures do not match, check the gas supply (see pages 26 and 27). NEVER ATTEMPT TO ADJUST THE PRESSURE YOURSELF. Rather, notify your draft system manager or contact TurboTap. PRESSURES SET BY... DO NOT ADJUST TOWER # BRAND OF BEER STAND # 4 U20 Capitol Amber The posted Set-Point should match the actual pressure indicated by the secondary regulator. TT406810_001 PRESSURES SET BY TURBOTAP DO NOT ADJUST 25 PSI 23

24 UNDERSTANDING GAS SYSTEMS Next to temperature, keg pressure is the second most common draft beer problem. While only a properly trained draft beer technician should make pressure adjustments, you can easily perform basic troubleshooting to diagnose and correct the two most common pressure problems: empty gas cylinders and closed gas valves that must be opened to pour beer. BEGIN OUTSIDE OF THE COOLER... Step 1. Ensure that CO 2 and Nitrogen (if used) tank valves are both open. Turn counter-clockwise to open them. Open them completely. Step 2. Check the tank pressure reading on each primary regulator. Each should read above 500 psi. If any tank reads below 500 psi, it is empty or will be empty soon. NEXT, GO INSIDE THE COOLER... Step 6. Check that the check valve on each secondary regulator is in the open position, as shown. Step 7. Verify that the pressure setting on each secondary regulator matches the setting posted on the signage inside the cooler. (See page 23.) Step 3. Check the line pressure reading on each primary regulator. Each should read above 40 psi. When using gas blenders, both the CO 2 and nitrogen primary regulators should read above 70 psi. Step 4. Be sure the check valve on the primary regulator is in the open position, as shown. Step 5. Be sure the check valve on the gas blender (if used) is in the open position, as shown. NOTE: Gas blenders (if used) will cease to function if either the CO tank or the Nitrogen tank is empty. 2 24

25 PRESSURES SET BY... TT406810_001 TOWER # BRAND OF BEER DO NOT ADJUST STAND # UNDERSTANDING GAS SYSTEMS Steps 1-4: Primary Regulator Line pressure over 70 psi Tank pressure over 500 psi Open valve (counter-clockwise) Cooler Wall Step 5: Gas Blender Open check valve Primary Regulator Gas Blender High-Pressure Tubing PRESSURES SET BY TURBOTAP DO NOT ADJUST 3 1 Spotted Cow 26 PSI Pressure Signage Secondary Regulator Coupler Open check valve Steps 6-7: Secondary Regulator Secondary regulator pressure should match signage CO Tank (Cylinder) 2 Nitrogen Tank (Cylinder) Keg Open check valve 25

26 FOAM DETECTION DEVICES Foam detection devices (sometimes called FOBs or profit guards ) are used to prevent the beer line from completely emptying when a keg is emptied. Secondary Regulator FOB Check valve FOBs save time when changing kegs because the beer line remains packed with beer. This eliminates the need to open the tap for extended periods to re-pack the line. FOBs also save money by eliminating the beer waste that occurs when beer lines are re-packed during keg changes. Check ball FOBs are ideally installed on every beer line that is more than 50 feet (15 meters) in length from the keg to the faucet. Additionally, FOBs must always be used with beer systems employing beer pumps. Coupler When a keg is emptied, the FOB must be reset before beer from the new keg will be able to flow through the beer system. You will need to train your staff in this procedure. FOBs come in several varieties (see below). Operation is generally the same from model to model. Release knob Foam Detection Device (FOB) Keg 26

27 RESETTING A FOB RESETTING A FOAM DETECTION DEVICE (FOB) When a keg is emptied, the FOB must be reset to allow beer from the new keg to flow through the beer system Check valve 4 Release knob When a keg empties, the check ball will drop to the bottom of the FOB, preventing the beer line from emptying. Beer will stop flowing at the faucet. Tap the new keg. Depress the release knob to dislodge the check ball. Then depress the check valve on the top of the FOB. Beer will begin to fill the FOB cylinder. When the check ball is floating at the top of the cylinder, release the check valve. Pull release knob back to its fully extended position. When in operation, the release knob should always be in its fully extended position. The FOB will fail to perform its function if the release knob is depressed, as the FOB will be in bypass mode. 27

28 KEGS CONNECTED IN SERIES In extremely high-volume dispensing environments, it is possible to configure kegs in series to reduce the frequency of tapping fresh kegs as tapped kegs are emptied. TurboTap generally recommends against the practice of connecting kegs in series, except in extremely high-volume scenarios and ONLY when kegs are tapped by experienced, properly trained staff. Secondary Regulator Gas Tubing Jumper - Keg to Trunk Line Important notes about kegs in series: 1. Major breweries and TurboTap recommend against configuring kegs in series because it is easy to make mistakes with this practice. Coupler 1 Jumper - Keg to Keg Coupler 2 2. If one or more partial kegs is not connected correctly, beer from both kegs will be unpourable (due to excessive foam) for an extended period of time. 3. When untapping series kegs, always untap Keg 2 first, and then untap Keg When tapping series kegs, always tap Keg 1 first, and then tap Keg 2. Keg 1 Keg 2 28

29 KEGS CONNECTED IN SERIES UNDERSTANDING KEGS IN SERIES DO THIS DON T DO THIS Keg 1 Keg 2 If Keg 1 is a partial keg, Keg 2 must be a full keg for dispensing in series to work properly. Keg 1 Keg 2 If Keg 1 is a partial keg, Keg 2 must NOT also be a partial or empty keg. - OR - - OR - Keg 2 can only be a partial keg if Keg 1 is empty, or else the kegs will not pour properly. If Keg 1 is a full keg, Keg 2 must NOT be either an empty keg or a partial keg. Keg 1 Keg 2 Keg 1 Keg 2 29

30 BASIC DRAFT SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Possible Cause(s) Solution Beer is too foamy Beer is too warm Follow the four simple steps to ensure cold beer. See The Importance of Temperature, page 20. Improper pouring technique Overcarbonated keg Determine whether to use the Standard Pour or the Modified Pour. Review pouring instructions and Common Pouring Mistakes, pages 14 and 15. Tap fresh keg, and determine whether problem still exists. Gas is low or out See Understanding Gas Systems, pages 24 and 25. Dirty faucet Dirty coupler Malfunctioning coupler Malfuctioning secondary regulator Have faucet professionally cleaned. Have coupler professionally cleaned. Have draft system professional diagnose and repair. Have draft system professional diagnose and repair. Series kegs connected incorrectly See Understanding Kegs in Series, pages 28 and 29. Series kegs installed incorrectly Checkball must be removed from first coupler, and the gas check valve must be removed from the second coupler for series kegs to dispense properly. Have draft system professional diagnose and repair. 30

31 BASIC DRAFT SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING Problem Possible Cause(s) Solution Beer flow has slow or Out of gas Replace gas (see pages 24 and 25). has stopped completely Gas shut off Turn on gas (see pages 24 and 25). Out of beer Tap new keg. FOB not reset Reset FOB (see page 27). Frozen or obstructed beer line Have draft system professional diagnose and repair. Beer is too flat Out of gas Replace gas (see pages 24 and 25). Gas shut off Turn on gas (see pages 24 and 25). Improper gas blend Beer is pouring too slowly Glassware not beer clean Have draft system professional diagnose and repair. Have draft system professional diagnose and repair. Glassware with soap film or other residue will destroy the foam collar produced when pouring beer. Some plastic cups also have residues that quickly kill foam collars. Ensure you are washing your glassware with residue-free cleaners. 31

32 For more information contact: Laminar Technologies, LLC 440 N Wells St, Ste 510 Chicago, IL U.S.A. TurboTap and related technologies are protected by U.S. Patents 5,842,617 and 7,040,359 with additional US and foreign patent applications pending.