Bottoms Up Beer: How Does This Novelty Work?

Bottoms Up is a draft beer system that fills cups from the bottom up, using a magnet system. The Bottoms Up glass or reusable plastic cup has a hole in the bottom that is sealed with a magnet. When the cup is placed on a Bottoms Up kegerator, the magnet is lifted, and beer flows upward. The cup is filled to a pre-programmed amount, and the magnet then falls back into place to seal the liquid inside. This system was invented by Josh Springer in 2008 and is designed to increase efficiency and reduce beer waste in bars and restaurants.

Bottoms Up glasses have a hole in the bottom with a metal ring that's sealed with a magnet

The Bottoms Up glass, invented by Josh Springer, CEO of Bottoms Up Draft Beer Systems, is an innovative way to serve beer. The glass or reusable plastic cup has a hole in the bottom that is sealed with a magnet. This magnet, in the shape of a round disc or poker chip, can be easily removed. When the cup is placed on a Bottoms Up "kegerator", a refrigerated keg, the magnet is lifted, and beer flows upward, filling the cup in about six seconds. The cup is filled to a pre-programmed amount, and once filled, the magnet falls back into place, sealing the liquid inside. This system not only saves time for bartenders but also reduces beer wastage, making it ideal for high-volume bars and large venues like stadiums.

The Bottoms Up glass has a unique feature—a hole in the bottom that is plugged by a removable magnet. This magnet, when lifted, allows beer to flow into the cup from the bottom up. The magnet is designed to be round, resembling a poker chip, and it plays a crucial role in sealing the liquid inside the cup. Once the cup is filled, the magnet falls back into place, ensuring no spills or leaks occur.

The Bottoms Up glass offers a novel approach to serving beer, filling the cup from the bottom up. This is made possible by the magnet, which seals the hole in the bottom of the cup. When the cup is placed on the dispensing machine, the magnet is lifted, allowing beer to flow upward. This innovative design not only ensures a perfect pour every time but also enhances the efficiency of bartenders by allowing them to focus on other tasks while the cup fills automatically.

The magnet in the Bottoms Up glass is more than just a functional component; it also serves as a unique advertising space. These magnets can be customised with logos, promotions, slogans, pictures, or discount offers. Patrons can collect and trade these magnets, creating a fun and interactive experience. Additionally, bars can run games and promotions centred around collecting magnets to engage and entertain their customers. This adds an element of interactivity and fun to the drinking experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment for patrons.

The Bottoms Up glass and its magnet sealing system offer a novel approach to serving beer, providing both functionality and entertainment value. The magnet, beyond its practical purpose, becomes a collectible item for patrons and a creative marketing tool for establishments. This innovative design has revolutionised the way beer is served, particularly in high-volume settings, by increasing efficiency, reducing wastage, and providing a unique experience for customers.

The magnet is lifted when the cup is placed on a Bottoms Up kegerator, allowing beer to flow upward

The Bottoms Up beer system is a unique and innovative way to serve beer, revolutionising the traditional method of pouring from the top. This system, designed for commercial and residential use, employs specialised cups or glasses with a hole at the bottom, which is sealed by a removable magnet. When the cup is placed on a Bottoms Up kegerator, a refrigerated keg, the magnet is lifted, allowing beer to flow upward and fill the cup from the bottom up. This automatic filling mechanism ensures that the beverage is injected to the precise level, eliminating the need for bartenders to manually pour each drink.

The magnet plays a crucial role in the functionality of the Bottoms Up system. It acts as a seal, preventing the beer from leaking out of the hole in the bottom of the cup. When the cup is securely placed on the kegerator, the magnet is lifted, enabling the beer to flow through the opening and fill the cup. Once the desired amount of beer is dispensed, typically within six seconds for a pint, the magnet automatically returns to its original position, securely sealing the liquid inside. This seamless process not only saves time for bartenders but also reduces beer wastage due to spills and overflows.

The Bottoms Up system offers significant advantages over conventional beer dispensing methods. Firstly, it maximises efficiency during peak hours in restaurants and bars, as bartenders can focus on other tasks while drinks are being filled. Secondly, it minimises beer waste, as the automatic filling mechanism eliminates the risk of overfilling or spilling. This not only improves the bottom line for businesses but also enhances the overall customer experience.

In addition to its practical benefits, the Bottoms Up system also provides an element of interactivity and fun. The magnets at the bottom of the cups can be customised with slogans, pictures, or promotional offers, adding a unique touch to the drinking experience. Patrons can collect and trade these magnets, creating a sense of engagement and interactivity. While the system is ideal for high-volume bars and large venues like stadiums, it may not be as well-suited for craft breweries or tasting rooms, where traditional tap pours are often preferred.

The cup is filled to a preprogrammed amount, allowing bartenders to make other drinks

The Bottoms Up beer system is designed to save bartenders' time and increase efficiency. The system was invented by Josh Springer, who wanted to speed up beer service by removing the need for manual pouring. The machine fills beer mugs from the bottom up, with the beer reaching the perfect level every time. This is achieved through the use of specialised cups with a hole in the bottom that is sealed with a magnet. When the cup is placed on the machine, the magnet is lifted, allowing beer to flow upwards and fill the cup. The cup is then filled to a pre-set level, which can be programmed in advance. This automated process frees up bartenders to focus on other tasks, such as mixing drinks, checking IDs, and taking payments.

The Bottoms Up system is particularly useful in high-volume bars and large venues, such as stadiums, where speed and efficiency are crucial. It also reduces beer waste and spillage, resulting in higher yields and increased profits. The magnets at the bottom of the cups can be customised with slogans, pictures, or promotional offers, adding an element of interactivity and collectability for customers.

While the system has been praised for its time-saving benefits, there are some concerns about its limitations. The pre-set pour amounts may not be suitable for certain beer styles that require a specific head, and the cups with holes in the bottom may be seen as a novelty or gimmick that is not suitable for all establishments, particularly craft breweries or taprooms. Additionally, the system is more expensive than conventional alternatives, and the cups themselves can be costly, especially for disposable options.

Despite these drawbacks, the Bottoms Up system has been successful, with nearly 400 restaurants adopting it nationwide. It has also spawned competitors, such as Reverse Tap in the US and Base Flow in the UK, indicating a growing demand for automated beverage dispensing solutions in the hospitality industry.

The magnets at the bottom of the glass are printed with slogans, pictures or discount offers, and can be collected or traded

The Bottoms Up draft beer system fills cups from the bottom, with the liquid injected to the right level automatically, leaving bar staff free to perform other tasks. The Bottoms Up glass has a hole in the bottom with a metal ring that is sealed with a magnet. When the cup is clicked into place on top of a Bottoms Up "kegerator" (a refrigerated keg), the magnet is lifted, and beer starts to flow upward. When the bartender is ready, the cup is removed, and the magnet falls back into place, sealing the liquid inside. The magnets at the bottom of the glass are printed with slogans, pictures, or discount offers, and customers can collect or trade them. Some bars run games and promotions where people have to collect magnets to spell out a word or phrase.

The magnets are typically single-use, as they tend to warp and cause drips. They are also more expensive than conventional alternatives. However, they can be customised with logos or promotions, providing a unique advertising space.

Examples of magnet designs available on the Bottoms Up Beer website include:

• Picture Puzzle Magnet Set
• Fun Facts Volume 1
• BU Dog Breeds
• Don't Poke Caution Signs
• Meme Magnets Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
• BU Checkers
• BU Burger
• BU Chess
• BU Playing Cards
• Would You Rather Vol. 1 and Vol. 2
• Bottoms Up Dominos
• Aviation Alphabet
• Drunk Yoga
• Fortune Cookie
• Gnome Boy
• Alphabet
• Don't Finger Poke
• Bottoms Up Logo
• Billiards

Bottoms Up offers a variety of vessels for a variety of needs, including disposable plastic and reusable glassware

Bottoms Up is a unique draft beer system that fills beer from the bottom up, doing exactly what its name suggests. The brainchild of Josh Springer, this system was invented to address the slow service caused by the time taken to pour beer. Bottoms Up offers a range of equipment for both commercial and residential use, including short-draw, long-draw, kegerators, and portable draft beer systems.

The Bottoms Up system uses a magnet system to fill beer through the bottom of a proprietary cup or glass. This innovative approach has benefits such as reduced spillage and increased yield from a keg, making it ideal for high-volume bars and large venues like stadiums. However, it may not be the best fit for smaller craft breweries or tasting rooms, as it pours pre-set amounts and limits the beers that can be served.

The variety of vessels offered by Bottoms Up caters to diverse needs and preferences. For those seeking convenience and disposability, the company provides disposable plastic cups. These cups, paired with the Bottoms Up system, ensure a perfect pour every time, making them ideal for large crowds, outdoor events, and festivals.

For environmentally-conscious consumers or those who prefer a more traditional drinking experience, Bottoms Up also offers reusable glassware. This option allows individuals to enjoy their favourite beverage from the comfort of their homes or at bars and breweries. The reusable glasses are available in different sizes, including pints and pitchers, ensuring that there is something for every occasion, whether it's a cosy night in or a lively gathering with friends.

In addition to their functionality, the vessels provided by Bottoms Up serve as unique advertising spaces. Businesses can customise their cups or glasses with logos, promotions, or other eye-catching designs. This feature transforms the drinking vessel into a powerful marketing tool, helping to promote brands and enhance the customer experience. Whether it's a disposable plastic cup or a reusable glass, Bottoms Up ensures that the drinking experience is not only efficient but also memorable and engaging.

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