Wetherspoons can't sell Real Ale when they've run out of 'gas'

William Westbury 23 years ago

After my first pint of Butcombe Gold last night, my nearest JDW - the Britannia, Rowley Regis, West Midlands - couldn't sell any Cider, Lager or Real Ale because they had run out of 'gas'. The only draught drinks were Banks's Original Smoothflow and Guinness (both nitro-keg).

According to another punter, the ale spurted out and was all froth when they tried to serve it.

The staff told me that the gas was to 'help pump the beer' or words to that effect.

A couple of bottles of Newkie Brown went down nicely instead.

What's going on here?

Will.

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Robin Cox 23 years ago

Flo-jets and microbore line.

The micro-bore line means less wasteage in the pipes and is easier to cool, especially just below the pump, and where the line is part of a cooled "python".

However, in order to get the beer out without fobbing, it requires a small gas-powered pump in the cellar, called a flo-jet, in each line.

No gas = no beer.

Robin

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Paul Shirley 23 years ago

In message , William Westbury writes

Gas assisted pumps are quite common on long beer lines. Its a small pump in the cellar triggered when you try to pull a pint at the bar, without it theres a large pressure gradient along the line making it hard (or impossible) to suck beer up it. Low pressure at the bar end would cause CO2 to bubble out in the line as described. They're powered by gas cylinders, usually compressed air.

The gas never contacts the beer so they aren't a problem though its endlessly entertaining watching the reaction to 'I'll just change the gas' in RA pubs ;)

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Paul Sherwin 23 years ago

Yes, this has caught me out in the past. It doesn't help when bar staff dont know, or don't attempt to explain, what's really going on.

Best regards, Paul

-- Paul Sherwin Consulting

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