iPourIt operators recognize a minimal loss in revenue and maximum keg yield to increase profits. Preventing the “Phantom Pour” is one reason why.
With iPourIt, operators have minimal loss in revenue. iPourIt operators recognize a 99% keg yield on average. When the patron is self-serving by the pour, there are no free tasters, no returns, and no sweet-hearting for free drinks. iPourIt’s self-pour system also prevents the “Phantom Pour,” which can cost an operator around $23 per keg!
To understand what a Phantom Pour is, let’s first discuss how a typical self-pour system operates.
Between the keg and faucet is a valve and meter assembly. The valve controls the flow of beer and the meter measures the amount being poured when the valve is open.
- The faucet is a human controlled device that uses a plunger to stop the pressurized beer from flowing between the valve and faucet when closed.
- The valve is an electrically-controlled device that uses a plunger to stop pressurized beer flowing between the keg and faucet when closed.
Simply put, valves should be installed as close to the faucet as possible due to the laws of physics. Normally, a balanced beer system is pressurized with CO2. Depending on the length of your beer lines and the distance the beer is traveling, your beer system could also be pressurized with Nitrogen to give the beer an extra boost without over-carbonation.
Let’s say the beer is traveling 25 feet from a remote cooler to your beer wall. Some claim that the valve and meter assembly can be installed in the cooler with the beer. This can be done, however, it comes with a cost. That cost is the Phantom Pour. Who pays for the Phantom Pour? As the operator, you do.
How does a Phantom Pour happen?
When a patron uses their RFID wristband, the valve opens and allows the pressurized beer to flow from the keg through the open faucet. Once the patron closes the faucet and the meter stops turning, a signal is sent to the valve and it closes.
Between the valve and faucet sits 25 feet of beer line filled with beer pressurized at ~ 12-24 psi depending on line length, etc. If someone were to then open the same faucet without the valve being opened, which is a common occurrence, a small amount of beer leaks out. The laws of physics want the beer line equal in pressure to the surrounding atmosphere. This means that depending on the pressure, a small portion of beer will come out of the faucet without being measured.
If you or I were to now use that tap with our RFID wristbands, the valve would open and re-pressurize that beer line. The meter would do its job and measure that beer and charge it to you or me without actually getting it in our glass! As patrons, we would pay for something we didn’t receive.
Other companies claim they can fix the Phantom Pour issue, but it’s the operator who pays for it. Let us explain.
To ensure patrons don’t receive an additional $0.01 – $0.07 cost associated with a Phantom Pour, other companies will add a threshold in the meter calculation. This prevents a charge for the first 0.1 – 0.2 ounces to EVERY pour.
It may seem that 0.1 ounces is not a big deal, but let’s do the math.
- 1 Keg of Beer = 1,984 Ounces
- iPourIt’s data tells us the average user pours 4.7 ounces per pour
- iPourIt’s data tells us the average retail price per ounce = $0.545 per ounce
- iPourIt’s data tells us a successful taproom with 40 taps will pour over 1,200 kegs of beer in one year
- If an average user pours 4.7 ounces per pour, that means that a keg will serve 422 pours
- If EVERY pour is short-billed by 0.1 ounces, 42.2 ounces from each keg will not be charged
- Using the average retail price of $0.545 / ounce, 42.4 ounces = $23.01 that is not being paid for from each keg
- Now, if you are a successful taproom employing this strategy, you would stand to lose $27,607 in gross sales per year!
If you’re told it can be done, understand that it’s coming at a cost.
To get more information on how iPourIt’s self-serve beverage dispense technology can help you increase profits and improve operations, contact us here.
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