In this article, you’ll learn:
- What a cold brew tap is and how it works
- The difference between manual and automatic dispensing
- How to choose the best cold brew tap for your needs
- Key features to look for (hygiene, functionality, aesthetics)
- How to incorporate it into your workflows
- Why nitro infusion can elevate your drink offerings
As cold brew continues to rise in popularity and become a menu staple, finding ways to accommodate the demand is increasingly pressing. To avoid operational bottlenecks and make it as easy as possible to serve trending drinks, systems like a cold brew tap are a wise long-term investment.
Whether you operate a high-volume coffee shop or a premium restaurant, a cold brew tap can speed up service, increase consistency, and elevate your presentation. Knowing what to prioritise, though, is key before deciding on new equipment.
To learn more about the ideal cold brew tap for businesses, I spoke to Ryan Brosmer. He is the founder of Cat Nap Coffee Roasting, a coffee shop and roastery based in Virginia, USA. Read on for his insights.
What is a cold brew tap and how does it work?
A cold brew tap is a piece of countertop equipment that dispenses pre-prepared cold brew coffee. Often, it is not limited to just cold brew and can dispense a range of other cold liquids, like iced tea and cocktails.
“Cold brew taps are draught-style systems that allow cafes to serve cold brew coffee much like beer from a tap,” Ryan explains. While manual taps require staff to pull a lever until the pouring is complete, modern systems have digital dosing control to automatically dispense a predetermined quantity of liquid.
This machinery is usually connected to your cold brew system to dispense it directly once it has been prepared. This takes away a number of bottlenecks for coffee shops and bars, since you don’t need to manually handle your cold brew and store it in containers.
Using traditional methods, baristas have to pour, serve, and prepare cold brew manually. Not only does this take longer, but it also presents microbial risk if the cold brew isn’t handled and stored properly.
This equipment simplifies the process. It connects and dispenses directly from your cold brew machine, like the Baby Hardtank. In peak hours, when staff are serving hundreds of customers, it can significantly reduce service times.
Cold brew systems like the Hardtap can also infuse drinks with nitrogen gas to serve nitro cold brew. “Tap systems for cold brew are typically gravity-fed or pressurised with nitrogen,” he adds. “Nitro cold brew results in a smooth, creamy pour similar to a traditional stout beer.” While some taps require an external nitrogen keg, others extract it from atmospheric air to infuse the drink with bubbles.
What to look for in a cold brew system
The best cold brew dispenser for your business will depend on your daily volume, available countertop space, and drinks menu. There are three main factors to consider: function, hygiene, and aesthetics.
“When exploring options for cold brew taps, we’re evaluating both form and function,” Ryan says. “We want something that looks good on our bar, but is also easy and ergonomic to use.”
Since high-volume coffee shops need to serve customers quickly, the functionality of a cold brew dispenser is essential. The Hardtap, for example, dispenses based on preset volumes. It means you can program the system in accordance with your serving sizes, so all staff need to do is press the touchscreen to begin dispensing. Manual pouring is also an option, empowering staff to take as much control over the process as their skill set requires.
Hygiene is another key concern. Due to its lower steeping temperature and lower acidity, cold brew is more susceptible to microbial activity than hot coffee. Therefore, you need to take more care when handling and dispensing it. Otherwise, it may lead to the presence of bacteria and potentially jeopardise your reputation if you breach hygiene standards.
This is where a premium cold brew tap system can make a significant difference. Using food-safe materials such as stainless steel makes it easy to clean the nozzles – and combining it with self-cleaning cold brew machines minimises the risk during production.
To ensure your business complies with food safety regulations, your cold brew tap needs to meet these requirements. “We want something that is easy to clean and maintain, to ensure the cold brew stays fresh and flowing freely,” Ryan adds.
In short, choose a cold brew tap that aligns with how your business operates, but ensure quality, consistency, and hygiene are top-level considerations.
How to integrate a cold brew tap into your workflow
For coffee shops, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, a cold brew tap needs to organically integrate with your existing countertop setup. That way, once you invest in the equipment it is a long-term strategy that you can use for years to come. Otherwise, you may need to invest in other equipment to work alongside your tap, or replace it in the future.
The Hardtap, for instance, is not only compatible with Hardtank cold brew systems, but any other cold brew system. This ensures you can easily incorporate cold brew taps and nitro capabilities without needing to invest beyond the cold brew tap itself.
Its compact footprint also makes it suitable for a range of environments, from specialty coffee shops to larger foodservice chains. Therefore, it is seamless to incorporate into your existing workflows.
For teams like Ryan’s, these benefits make a cold brew tap a particularly valuable investment. “Cat Nap is considering the use of cold brew taps as a more elegant solution for serving cold brew that will free up space in our fridge while improving workflow for our baristas,” he says.
For many cafés and roasteries, this ability to optimise cold brew service without sacrificing quality makes a cold brew tap a significant operational upgrade. Equally, though, the agility to also serve a range of other drinks, from iced tea to cocktails, makes it a staple for improving service speed and consistency.
Ultimately, the best cold brew tap is one that adapts to your service volume, enhances workflows, and delivers a consistently great drink. Not only does it improve your day-to-day operations, but it opens up the potential for menu expansion as well.
Ready to invest in a cold brew tap? Get in touch with the team to learn more today.
Cold brew taps: Key takeaways for coffee shops
- Cold brew taps streamline service by dispensing preset quantities of cold brew coffee and other liquids.
- Nitro taps infuse drinks with nitrogen to offer a premium drinking experience.
- You should consider functionality, efficiency, hygiene, and aesthetics when choosing your cold brew tap.
Cold brew tap FAQs
What is a cold brew tap?
A cold brew tap is a piece of countertop equipment that manually or automatically dispenses cold brew coffee and other drinks. Some models can also infuse drinks with nitrogen for a creamier mouthfeel.
Why do businesses need a cold brew tap?
When optimised with your operations, a cold brew tap can speed up service, reduce the microbial risk of cold brew, and ensure consistent serving quantities. For high-volume coffee shops and restaurants, this can greatly enhance your turnaround time.
What should I consider when investing in a cold brew tap?
Look for equipment that is easy to control, program, and use across skill sets. Also, consider taps made from food-safe, easily cleanable materials like stainless steel. You should also choose equipment that looks aesthetically appealing on your countertop.
Want to learn more about our cold brew tap?
- See it in action: Watch our product presentation.
- Learn more: Read about the Hardtap here.
- Speak to an equipment expert: Contact our team here.
