Diners calling for more draught and premium beers

Lancer, which manufactures beverage dispensing equipment, looked at its demand over the last year to find that orders for keg beer systems had boomed, propelled by customer demand. 

“During that time we have probably installed around 1,000 new draught beer systems around Australia, mostly in restaurants and cafes​,” Lancer’s managing director, Joe Thorp said. 

“Many of these have been smaller two- and three-tap systems that enable outlets to offer a choice of draught beers​.”

Lancer also found that more customers are asking for craft or premium beers. With the option of being able to regularly change the beers they offer on tap, outlets can explore some of the more interesting beers offered by smaller craft breweries, as well having mainstream options, Thorp added.

Mr Thorp said offering draught beer in restaurants and cafes has a number of advantages over selling bottles. 

These include less handling and storage, less waste and fresher beer. 

“Fresh beer is a significant advantage. Bottled beers have a limited shelf life, usually around six months in a pantry and nine months in a fridge after being brewed and it’s easy for bottles to stay in a fridge well beyond their use-by dates,” he said. 

Beer pourage systems can also be used for draught cider, itself a rapidly expanding market.