beer tubes

I was recently introduced to an interesting piece of dispensing equipment known as a beer tube or giraffe. In my attempts to find them online I have found they seem over priced.

Has anyone attempted to build one of these before?

genommen said:

I was recently introduced to an interesting piece of dispensing equipment known as a beer tube or giraffe. In my attempts to find them online I have found they seem over priced.

Has anyone attempted to build one of these before?

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linky please

http://www.beertubes.com/

There are a few listed at this site.

genommen said:

http://www.beertubes.com/

There are a few listed at this site.

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3" poly carbonate tubing i dont know what kind of "tapping device" they are using though interesting idea though I think I would prefer geting off the lazy boy and walking to the keezer though

I found this to be a very intriguing way to serve beer. Especially for situations where keezers are not always an option.

Many of the bars in Vegas sell beer and mixed drinks in a 4' tall plastic cup you can hang around your neck and take with you. Last time I was there, those same bars had beer tubes for equally gimmicky in house beer consumption. I've started seeing them spread to gimmicky sports bars here in Az now too. They're essentially just a clear plastic tube with a cheap plastic faucet on the bottom. The faucets are a slightly more robust version of a cobra faucet.

Sounds similar to the one I was introduced to. I have started looking into the feasibility of making my own. So far I am trying to find a place that sells a suitable clear plastic pipe.

I was hoping someone on this forum would have attempted this before me and could point me in the right direction over all on how to do this and where to get the parts.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#tubing/=64fbq4
$12.85/foot

Look for a "Beer Tower" on eBay. They're about $30

Wouldn't skunking be a problem? (I guess you could wrap something opaque around it.)

speter said:

Wouldn't skunking be a problem? (I guess you could wrap something opaque around it.)

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They are not designed for long-term storage. So skunking isn't going to be a problem.

Correct, this is just for dispensing not long term storage.

It's a great way to drink flat beer if you're into that sort of thing.

Why not just give your guests some 1 liter mugs?

It is a matter of presentation and preference that's all. Generally it is consumed quickly enough that flatness is not an issue.

I think its well suited to the sportsbar BMC drinking crowd. Its not about savoring your beer.. its about the challenge of drinking the whole thing quickly.

I have since my original post found some that are cheaper online. However, the idea of building my own still intrigues me. I am guessing by the response so far that no one has tried though.

A local bar serves them here, there's a frozen cartridge they drop in the tube to keep it cool as well. It's just a fancy pitcher.

That sounds exactly like it, and some times it is all about the presentation

You lose some carbonation while filling the thing, then some more when you dispense it from the tap. It's all gimmick.