FOBs installed in a long draw draft beer system will reduce beer waste and increase beer profits. The purpose of this article is to describe how an FOB works, and to explain how using an FOB(s) can increase profits from draft beer sales when installed on a long draw beer dispensing system.
Beer Waste is Reduced
When an FOB is installed on a long draw beer line and the keg empties, the beer flow is stopped immediately. The beer line remains full of beer, instead of filling with foam.
Keeping the lines full of beer eliminates the need to refill the lines and purge the system with beer when tapping the next keg. This will significantly reduce beer waste. The actual reduction is based on the length of draw of the beer system being considered.
The chart below illustrates the reduction in beer waste when a FOB is installed.
| Kegs per Week | 12oz Glasses of Beer Wasted per Week | |||
| 20 | 46 | 70 | 93 | 117 |
| 15 | 35 | 52 | 70 | 87 |
| 10 | 23 | 35 | 46 | 58 |
| 5 | 11 | 17 | 23 | 29 |
| 50’ | 100’ | 150’ | 200’ | 250’ |
| * Feet of Beer Line | ||||
Stop Pouring Profit Down the Drain
For example: (Use the chart above to calculate the result). An establishment without FOBs installed dispenses 20 kegs per week, through a system that has a 100-foot beer draw. The beer needed to purge and refill the lines would equal approximately 46 12 oz. glasses. Multiply the number of glasses by the profit per glass. Lets say at $1.00 per glass, this would equal $46 dollars per week wasted. As you can see from the example; FOBs installed in a long draw system will reduce your waste and increase your profits.
An FOB will pay for itself in only 6 kegs. Make the investment and install FOBs in your long draw beer system. Stop pouring profits down the drain.
Beer Flow Operates the FOB
Beer flowing from the keg forces the float inside of the FOB into the up position, allowing beer to flow to the faucet.
When a keg empties, the float drops down stopping the beer flow from the keg. Tap a new keg and reset your FOB. Pushing the vent mechanism allows the gas/foam to release from the chamber. This function allows beer to flow from the keg into the chamber, lifting the float and allowing beer to flow to the faucet.
Maintenance of FOBs
FOBs must also be maintained and cleaned on a regular bases the same way beer lines are cleaned.
How do the FOBs get cleaned? – The FOBs are equipped with a float-lifting device. This device lifts the float off the beer outlet hole, allowing flow of cleaning fluids to enter and exit the FOB detector and travel to the faucet.
Under no circumstances should the FOBs be bypassed during the cleaning process. Failure to clean the FOBs on a regular schedule will result in contaminated beer to the customer.