Why are Side Pull Taps Taking Over Taprooms?

I’ve recently noticed more side pull faucets popping up at local breweries. Once a rare sight in the US, these taps are now making their way into neighborhood taprooms across the country. What makes side pull taps so intriguing? How do they affect the appearance, texture, and flavor of your beer? And should you get one for your brewery?

What is a Side Pull Tap?

Side Pull taps, sometimes referred to as Lukrs, are known for their sleek, eye-catching design and their ability to pour beer with a dense, frothy foam. Unlike standard taps, side pull taps use a sideways handle motion that allows for more precise control over the pour. In the Czech Republic, side pull taps are the classic way to pour Pilsners, helping to create the signature foam that these beers are known for.

How Do Side Pull Taps Work?

Side Pull faucets use a ball valve to control the pour. If you open the valve just a crack, you’ll get lots of foam. Open it all the way, and you’ll get a smoother pour with minimal foam. This flexibility lets you play around with the foam level, and beers with different amounts of foam based on your customers preference.

What Beer Styles Go Best with Side Pull Taps?

Side Pulls are commonly used to pour Pilsners & Lagers, which benefit from having a dense, rocky, and towering foam. But breweries we spoke with use these taps for other styles as well. Phil Emerson from Olfactory Brewing in San Francisco often pours their Black Lager with a side pull to create a “chocolate milk” effect. He says it smooths out the mouthfeel and creates a beautiful foam cascade. Phil notes that not all styles work with the side pull so it’s worth experimenting to discover what works best for different styles.

How do Side Pull Taps Influence the Tasting Experience?

To find out how this pouring mechanism influences beer flavor, we poured the same beer (an American Lager) from two different taps (side pull and standard) and tasted them side by side.

Unlike a standard tap, side pull taps produce a “wet foam,” which is denser and lasts longer than the usual “dry foam.” The best way I can describe it is “sip-able.” While dry foam contains a lot of air, wet foam has a creamy texture that’s almost like dense frothed cream. It’s a fun experience to try and adds a unique dimension to the beer.

Aside from producing a beautiful appearance with thick, billowy foam and strong lacing, the wet foam from a side pull made the mouthfeel softer and rounder. The side pull also had less acidity and bitterness compared to the beer from a standard tap. This diminished bitterness surprised me (after all isn’t foam supposed to be bitter?), but because the foam is mostly liquid the bitterness is balanced.

They say that the thicker foam retains aromatic compounds better than the foam from a standard tap but honestly, I didn’t experience much of an aroma difference between the two pours. This wasn’t the most controlled study so don’t quote me on this, but for me, the real value of a side pull is in the appearance, taste, and mouthfeel.

Bottom Line on Side Pull Taps

Adding a Side Pull Faucet could be a fantastic move if you’re looking to elevate your beer presentation and offer a unique experience. It’s a great way to stand out and give your customers something to talk about. Just make sure you’re ready for the investment and the learning curve. If it aligns with your vision and beer selection, a Side Pull Faucet could be a great addition to your taproom!

DraughtLab specializes in helping food and beverage companies understand and measure flavor. By building tasting programs and providing the necessary tools and training, DraughtLab empowers businesses to enhance product knowledge and improve sales and customer engagement.