Beer Subscriptions: How Do They Work?

Beerwulf's The Sub is a beer tap that lets you pour a cold draught pint at home. The Sub is compatible with Hopsy's torp containers, which are 2-litre plastic containers with a bag inside that holds the beer. The bag-in-bottle principle means there is no oxygen in your beer, and the double layer of black plastic prevents light from reaching it, keeping it fresh for longer. The Sub is easy to install and use, and its small footprint means it can fit on any countertop.

The SUB Kegs

The SUB and kegs are ingeniously designed so that they do not need to be tapped under pressure with CO2, unlike taps in the hospitality industry. There is a small pump in the back of The SUB chamber that connects to the valve at the bottom of each SUB Keg, ensuring there is always pressure on your SUB Keg by pumping air between the bottle and the inner bag. The beer is pushed out of the bag with air pressure.

To set up a SUB Keg, pre-chill your keg for 6-10 hours before you want to load your beer into The SUB. Plug in your appliance at least an hour before the desired serving time until the light turns green. Remove the plastic dispensing lid from your keg and insert the connector tube into the mouth of your SUB Keg. Push hard until you hear it click into place. Then, open the lid on the top of the cylindrical unit, lift the cover over the tap and insert the keg into The SUB, feeding the tube through the pouring end of the tap head. Place the tube's spout inside the tap head and click it back into position. Close and lock the door of your SUB. The kegs should sit comfortably in the refrigerated unit. Once the light of the appliance turns green, you can start pouring!

Tapping mechanism

The SUB beer tap is easy to install and even easier to use. The tapping mechanism is simple: pull the handle down and the beer will start flowing immediately. The mechanism on the inside of the tap handle makes this possible.

The SUB Compact and the Classic models have slightly different designs, but the operation is the same. There is a plastic nozzle at the end of the tube on a SUB Keg. You clamp it in the metal slide. By pulling the lever down, you push the white spout together, allowing the beer to flow out of the keg.

It is important to press the spout firmly into the tap mechanism. Regular cleaning of the metal slide is also important, using vegetable oil or WD-40 on a cotton swab to prevent it from sticking in the 'open' position.

Taps in the hospitality industry are pressurised with CO2, but this is not necessary with The SUB due to its ingenious design. There is a small pump in the back of The SUB chamber, which connects to the valve at the bottom of each SUB Keg. This ensures there is always pressure on your SUB Keg by pumping air between the bottle and the inner bag. The beer is pushed out of the bag with air pressure.

Tapping under pressure

Tapping with The SUB is easy. Pull the handle down and the beer will start flowing immediately. However, just opening the tube is not enough to completely empty a SUB Keg. Taps in the hospitality industry are pressurized with CO2, but this is not necessary with The SUB.

The SUB has a small pump in the back of its chamber that connects to the valve at the bottom of each SUB Keg. This pump ensures there is always pressure on the SUB Keg by pumping air between the bottle and the inner bag. The beer is then pushed out of the bag with air pressure.

The SUB will occasionally check whether there is still pressure on the keg. So, if your tap starts making some noise, don't be alarmed. This ensures that your SUB is always ready to pour the next glass of beer.

It's important to note that if you want to tap beer from The SUB, you must keep the device switched on at all times during use if there is a keg in the appliance. This is to maintain the correct pressure.

Installation and maintenance

The SUB is a user-friendly beer tap that is easy to install and use. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing and maintaining your SUB:

Installation:

• Pre-chill your SUB Kegs for 6 to 10 hours before loading them into The SUB. This ensures that your beer is chilled and ready to be tapped as soon as it is loaded. Do not put the kegs in the freezer, as this may damage them.
• Plug in your SUB at least an hour before the desired serving time. The light on the appliance will turn green when it is ready.
• Remove the plastic dispensing lid from the keg and locate the connector tube inside.
• Insert the connector tube into the mouth of the SUB Keg until you hear a click, indicating it is securely in place.
• Open the lid on the top of the cylindrical unit and lift the cover over the tap.
• Insert the keg into The SUB, ensuring the bottom end goes into the chamber first.
• Feed the tube through the pouring end of the tap head and place the tube's spout inside, clicking it back into position.
• Close and lock the door of The SUB. The keg should fit comfortably, and you should not need to force the door closed. If it does not close easily, check that the keg is inserted correctly.

Maintenance:

• The SUB should remain switched on during use if there is beer in the keg. This maintains the correct pressure and keeps the beer chilled and fresh for up to 15 days.
• When the keg is empty, you can turn off the appliance.
• Clean The SUB after each use. Unplug the machine and use a damp cloth for the exterior and a dry cloth for the inside of the cooling chamber. Rinse the drip tray with warm water, but do not fully immerse the machine in water.
• It is recommended to wipe down The SUB after each keg.
• For more thorough cleaning, unplug the machine and clean every 3 months. Use a warm, wet cotton bud to clean the inside of the tap spout and the tap handle mechanism. Vacuum the bottom of The SUB to remove any dust.
• Store your SUB Kegs in the fridge to pre-chill them. Do not freeze or store them in direct sunlight, and keep them below 30°C.
• The SUB should be placed on a flat, clean, and dry surface with access to the main power supply. Leave enough space around the machine to ensure proper ventilation.
• The SUB Kegs are made from recyclable PET plastic. Check your local recycling guidelines for proper disposal.

The SUB for beginners

The SUB is a beer tap that lets you pour a cold beer on demand and keeps it fresh for up to 15 days. It is manufactured by Krups, who are better known for their coffee machines. It is a fantastic way to enjoy beer at home, although it is not the cheapest option.

The SUB uses 2L kegs, also known as 'torps', which are inserted into the machine. The torps are plastic containers that use the bag-in-bottle principle to keep the beer fresh. This means that inside the plastic bottle is a bag that holds the beer. As you pour the beer, the bag shrinks, and because there is no oxygen in the space between the bottle and the bag, the beer stays fresh.

To tap the beer, pull the handle down and it will start flowing immediately. It is important to make sure that the spout is pressed firmly into the tap mechanism.

Setup

Setting up The SUB is simple. First, pre-chill your SUB Kegs for 6-10 hours before you want to load your beer. Then, remove the plastic dispensing lid from your keg and insert the connector tube into the mouth of the SUB Keg. Push hard until you hear it click into place. Next, insert the SUB Keg into The SUB, feeding the tube through the pouring end of the tap head and clicking it back into position. Close and lock the door of your SUB and you're ready to pour!

Maintenance

The SUB is very low maintenance. It is important to keep your SUB Kegs in the fridge and to unplug your machine when not in use. It is also recommended to clean your SUB after each use.

Frequently asked questions