Terminology Chat - "tap"

[Bobby_M]

I think everyone has a pet peeve so I'll air out one of mine. In discussions about kegging, people will use the word "tap" to describe:

The whole "thing" you attach to a half barrel at a kegger party, many of which have hand pumps.

The number of unique draft beers available at a pub.

The "cobra tap" which is a black plastic faucet that you put on the end of a serving line.

The faucet you install on a kegerator.

The "marker" or screw on handle that goes on the above.

I already know I'm being an ass here so don't bother telling me that. When did "tap" come to mean so many things when each of them have their own perfectly unique name?

If I'm guessing correctly, a "tap" was originally the device that was pounded into a barrel or cask which functioned directly as the valve/faucet to dispense. Logic says it got the name because you tapped it in with a mallet.

I think it's reasonable to have "tap" carried across to generally describe the whole system involved with serving from or "tapping" a modern keg. It would include the coupler(s), line and dispensing faucet. So, when a bar advertises 40 beers on tap, I think that makes plenty sense. Or if you're getting a half barrel from a liquor store, I understand "does that price include tap rental?".

The black plastic thing on the end of a serving line is called a cobra faucet because the thumb tab makes it look like a cobra. Another term for this is a picnic or party faucet.

The large branded handle that threads onto a mounted faucet is called a marker because it marks what is being served. Faucet handle or tap handle is pretty common too, but I just can't get into calling the marker a "tap".

Ok, irrelevant rant over.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I agree, it confuses the issue every time.

Here are the parts as I label them

Tap/coupler - the part that "taps" into the keg.
lines - obvious
shank - connected to the tap by a line
faucet - pours the beer
tap handle - the part you grab, may or may not have a marker on it

 

[bob1852]

So is the "tap" permanent? Or, for example, is the tap what you use to "tap" into a maple tree and then insert a faucet to get the syrup?

 

[JRems]

I think the most common mistake is calling the faucet the tap. To me the only part that should be called the tap is the actual coupler that "taps" the keg

 

[JRems]

So is the "tap" permanent? Or, for example, is the tap what you use to "tap" into a maple tree and then insert a faucet to get the syrup?

I'll forgive you since you are from az and don't have maple farms down there, but syrup does not come out of the tree tap. Sap comes out of the tree and gets cooked into syrup. It's like calling wort, beer.

 

[bob1852]

I'll forgive you since you are from az and don't have maple farms down there, but syrup does not come out of the tree tap. Sap comes out of the tree and gets cooked into syrup. It's like calling wort, beer.

sap/syrup = tap/faucet. :fro:

 

[AnOldUR]

So if you said, "Wouldn't mind tapping that," is this what you'd be referring to?

 

[Homercidal]

I use it to mean the handles at a place that serves beer "on tap".

Also in the verb form, as in "I'd tap that!". In reference to Ben Franklin's lesser known quote.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

So if you said, "Wouldn't mind tapping that," is this what you'd be referring to?

Correct, I would be talking about the act of tapping, or inserting the coupler into the vessel to produce fluid flow.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I'm going to start asking this question at pubs and restaurants:

"How many unique varieties of chilled, fermented beverages can you presently dispense into clean, appropriately sized and shaped, room temperature glassware?"

It's so much more proper and conveys my message so much more clearly than:

"Whatcha got on tap?"

 

[edmanster]

So if you said, "Wouldn't mind tapping that," is this what you'd be referring to?

LoL... tap that bung hole

 

[oakbarn]

I will tap a keg with a corbra tap while wearing my tap shoes as soon as I can tap into some cash to buy one at the tap room.

 

[EdMerican]

So if you said, "Wouldn't mind tapping that," is this what you'd be referring to?

I don't know about this one... I mean, she's hot and all... but BUD LIGHT?! I might could stand it if she had bush. I mean Busch :rockin:

 

[brewingmeister]

I'm going to start asking this question at pubs and restaurants:

"How many unique varieties of chilled, fermented beverages can you presently dispense into clean, appropriately sized and shaped, room temperature glassware?"

It's so much more proper and conveys my message so much more clearly than:

"Whatcha got on tap?"

yeah, I've tried that in a similarly worded way. It did not help getting a brew any faster. YMMV

 

[JuanMoore]

I agree Bobby, that one bothers me too.

I'm going to start asking this question at pubs and restaurants:

"How many unique varieties of chilled, fermented beverages can you presently dispense into clean, appropriately sized and shaped, room temperature glassware?"

It's so much more proper and conveys my message so much more clearly than:

"Whatcha got on tap?"

"Whatcha got on tap?" works fine under either definition of "tap". I always think of that phrase as asking what kegs are currently hooked up to serve beer, not what handles they currently have on display.

 

[Bobby_M]

Right, I had that one listed as "number of unique beers you're able to pour right now" or whatever I said. How many do you have on tap? Well, you can look at how many faucets there are around the bar to be pretty sure, just don't call them taps.

 

[bob1852]

Right, I had that one listed as "number of unique beers you're able to pour right now" or whatever I said. How many do you have on tap? Well, you can look at how many faucets there are around the bar to be pretty sure, just don't call them taps.

I'm gonna try that next time I'm in a bar. "What do you have coming out of your faucets?"

 

[Shooter]

Ya' know what else I hate?!?!?! Ferrets! Stupid domesticated weasal rats!!!

...and how many times do I have to tell you kids to get off my damned lawn!?!?!

 

[dinnerstick]

two cups of silicone please!! no i'll get them myself

 

[Bobby_M]

I'm gonna try that next time I'm in a bar. "What do you have coming out of your faucets?"

We already know that the beer serving folks are mostly brain dead. I'm pleading to my slightly more evolved brethren that may actual give a crap about terminology.

 

[day_trippr]

Correct, I would be talking about the act of tapping, or inserting the coupler into the vessel to produce fluid flow.

Um, "Eeeeeeeeewwww!"?

'Sides, that's all way too clinical...

Cheers!