Coffee On Draft: All You Need To Know About Cold Brew On Tap

Most people know about cold brew coffee, but what about cold brew on tap? That's right, you can now get your favorite iced coffee drink on draft. All you need is a kegerator and some other dispensing equipment, and you're good to go. In this post, I'm going to talk about cold brew on tap.

How to purchase to set up a draft dispensing system, the equipment and features needed, maintenance program, and where to get your own cold brew on tap equipment. Let's Go

What is Cold Brew on Tap?

Cold brew coffee on draft on tap is a way to serve cold brew coffee on a draft dispensing system.

Serving cold brew involves hooking up a keg to nitrogen and dispensing it through either a regular stainless steel faucet or a nitro faucet. There are two different ways to serve cold brew on tap. One is through a regular faucet to get cold brew and two is through a nitro faucet. Giving the cold brew a creamy nitrogenated taste. It is important to avoid using CO2 as it can form carbonic acid, which negatively impacts the mouthfeel and increases acidity, making the cold brew more bitter. Nitrogen is preferred to preserve the intended qualities of cold brew.

Benefits of Serving Cold Brew On Tap

Serving cold brew coffee on tap offers several benefits for coffee shops, restaurants, and even home setups. One of the process' primary advantages is the ability to deliver a consistent and high-quality product. With a draft system, every cup of cold brew coffee is perfectly balanced and flavorful, ensuring customer satisfaction with each pour.

Additionally, serving cold brew on tap creates a unique and engaging customer experience. The visual appeal of the tap handle, glass, and nitrogen tank can become a focal point in your coffee shop or restaurant, drawing in curious customers and other visitors and enhancing the overall ambiance.

Another significant benefit is that cold brew coffee is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for customers with dietary restrictions. This allows you to cater your beverages to a broader audience, including those who are gluten intolerant. Moreover, cold brew on tap is a convenient low-calorie beverage option, appealing to health-conscious consumers.

From a business perspective, serving hot and cold brew on tap can lead to higher profit margins compared to traditional brewing methods. The draft system allows you to control the amount of coffee dispensed, reducing waste and increasing efficiency. This means you can serve more customers with less product, ultimately boosting your bottom line.

Equipment Needed For a Coffee Draft System

First let's start out with a kegerator. You're going to need a place to store your keg. Usually, these are standard kegerators that are all built for draft coffee systems. You can also use a standard kegerator if you have one. The coffee styles come in stainless steel, or black and vinyl look. Either way, you're going to need a place to keep the keg cold at 38°. Next comes the keg. It can either be a Cornelius keg or it can be a stainless steel 304 keg that Micro Matic provides.

I would prefer the 304 stainless keg by Micro Matic because it's a better unit and you can use regular D-sankey to dispense the nitro coffee. Next, you will need a (NIM) or a nitrogen gas infusion module, which will turn cold brew into that creamy nitro coffee. After that, you'll need some sort of tower with nitro faucets or regular stainless steel faucets to dispense your cold brew. Finally, you will also need a nitro primary regulator. I'd recommend the high-pressure one over the low-pressure one. The low-pressure ones are 0 to 60 psi. The Higher Pressure ones go up 120psi.

Choosing the Right Coffee for Your Tap

Selecting the right coffee for your tap is crucial to achieving the best possible cold brew. Start by choosing high-quality coffee beans that are specifically designed for cold brew. Look for beans that have been roasted to bring out the optimal flavor and aroma, ensuring a rich and satisfying cup every time.

Consider the flavor profile you want to achieve. Whether you prefer a smooth and creamy head or a bold and rich flavor, the choice of beans will play a significant role. Experiment with different varieties to find the perfect match for your preference for cold brew on tap.

Another important factor is the grind size. A coarse grind is typically best for cold brew, as it allows for the optimal extraction of flavors and oils. This results in a well-balanced and flavorful coffee that is perfect for serving on tap.

Finally, consider the brewing method. Steeping and infusion are popular cold-brew methods, each offering unique benefits. Experiment with different techniques to find the perfect balance of flavors for your tap, ensuring consistently delicious cold-brew coffee.

Setting Up Your Cold Brew On Tap Draft System

First, set up your primary nitrogen regulator by screwing it into the nitrogen cylinder. Close the nitrogen regulator with the red valve. Open the nitrogen cylinder and set the pressure appropriate to 30 psi for nitro cold brew tap or 8-10 psi for regular cold brew. Next, you want to connect the kegs’ coupler to the kegs. If you’re using a Cornelius keg. You are going to use a gas coupler which is gray and connect that. Followed by your product coupler which is black. The connections will be connected via a ball lock or pin lock coupler. If you’re using a regular 304 stainless Sanke with a d coupler. You’ll attach the coupler to the keg. Tap it and now you’re ready to pour cold-brew draft coffee. If you’re dispensing nitrogenated cold brew coffee you’re going to need a NIM.

The Nitrogen Cold Brew Machine Infusion Module delivers consistent, high-quality nitro cold brew and other nitrogen-infused beverages with ease. Designed to integrate into most keg boxes, it offers adjustable nitrogen levels for customizable pours. Perfect for cafés, bars, and restaurants, it works seamlessly with RTD kegs or your own brewed coffee in Beverage Tanks™ or corny kegs. Durable, NSF-certified, and efficient, it dispenses still and nitrogenized cold brew from a single keg, ensuring reliability even during busy hours. Elevate your beverage offerings with this innovative, hassle-free system.

To serve nitro cold brew, you’ll need a specialized draft system designed to handle the high-pressure and nitrogen infusion. The nitrogen also enhances the flavors and aromas of the coffee, resulting in a truly exceptional beverage. However, using CO2 can lead to the formation of carbonic acid, an acidic, which can negatively impact the mouthfeel of caffeine and increase acidity in cold brew coffee.

Nitro Cold Brew: A Game-Changer

Nitro cold brew is revolutionizing the coffee world with its unique texture and flavor. By infusing cold brew coffee with nitrogen, you create a creamy and velvety texture that is reminiscent of a full glass of Guinness beer. The nitrogen also enhances the flavors and aromas of the coffee, resulting in a truly exceptional beverage.

To serve nitro cold brew, you’ll need a specialized draft system designed to handle the high-pressure and nitrogen infusion. This includes a nitrogen tank, a keg, and a tap handle. The nitrogen tank infuses the hot coffee with nitrogen and bubbles and creating the signature creamy head and smooth texture that nitro cold brew is known for.

Brewing nitro cold brew requires careful attention to the strength and flavor profile of the coffee. Ensure that your coffee is brewed to the optimal strength, allowing the nitrogen to enhance its natural flavors. The result is a rich, smooth, and delicious cold brew that will set your coffee shop or restaurant apart from the competition.

Overall, serving cold brew coffee on tap, especially nitro cold brew, offers brands a unique and engaging customer experience. By choosing the right coffee and brewing method, you can create a truly exceptional beverage that will delight your customers and keep them coming back for more.

Cold Brew Maintenance Program 

The key to a full life and successful cold brew on-tap system is proper maintenance. Make sure to clean all of your equipment regularly and replace any worn parts as necessary. Additionally, keep an eye on the pressure in your nitrogen gas cylinders, and refill them as needed. Also, keeping your coffee lines clean is very important and it's recommended they get cleaned every 2 weeks like draft beer lines do. Keeping on top of your maintenance program will ensure your draft system not only lasts a long time. But you'll be serving great-tasting coffee to your customers in a short time.

We hope you've found this article helpful in your efforts to set up a cold brew on-tap system. The key to a successful system is proper maintenance. The right equipment and how to use the equipment properly matter.

Additionally. Keeping your coffee lines clean is very important. Thanks for reading! For more information on draft beer dispensing, draft beer, or system setup. Feel free to take a look at our website, and blog, website or contact us here. We look forward to talking with you next time.

Cheers!

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