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Tap Management

Tap management is where you configure which beers are currently available and create your live taplist. This guide covers setting up taps, assigning beers, and managing your active selection.

Understanding Tap Management

What Are Taps?

In RaspberryPints, "taps" represent your beer dispensing points - whether they're actual taps, cans, bottles, or other serving methods. Each tap can have one beer assigned at a time.

Tap Limits by License

Your tap count is limited by your license tier:

  • Free Tier: 3 taps maximum
  • Basic Plan: 8 taps maximum
  • Professional Plan: 100 taps maximum

Taps vs. Beer Catalog

  • Beer Catalog = All your beers (available and unavailable)
  • Tap Configuration = Which beers are currently being served
  • Live Taplist = What customers see on your public display

Accessing Tap Management

From the Dashboard

  1. Log into admin - Access your brewery's admin interface
  2. Click "Assign Taps" - Quick access from dashboard
  3. Or navigate to "Taps" - Full tap management interface

Tap Management Interface

The Taps page shows:

  • Current tap configuration with assigned beers
  • Empty taps available for assignment
  • Tap management controls for each position
  • Volume tracking and session information

Setting Up Your Taps

Initial Tap Configuration

First-time setup:

  1. Access Taps page - Navigate to tap management
  2. Set tap count - Configure how many taps you have (within license limits)
  3. Assign beers - Choose beers from your catalog for each tap
  4. Configure volumes - Set keg or serving sizes
  5. Activate taps - Start serving sessions

Tap Card Interface

Each tap shows:

  • Tap number - Position identifier
  • Current beer - If assigned
  • Volume information - Keg size and remaining amount
  • Session status - Active or empty
  • Management buttons - Assign, untap, or edit

Assigning Beers to Taps

Basic Beer Assignment

  1. Click "Assign Beer" - On empty tap or to change current beer
  2. Select beer - Choose from your catalog or public beers
  3. Set volume - Choose keg size or custom amount
  4. Confirm assignment - Start the serving session

Beer Selection Options

Your Brewery's Beers:

  • Beers from your catalog
  • Previously added beer profiles
  • Private and public beers you've created

Public Beers:

  • Beers shared by other breweries
  • Useful for guest beers or collaborations
  • Access without adding to your catalog

Volume Configuration

Standard Keg Sizes:

  • 1/6 BBL (Sixtel) - ~5.16 gallons
  • 1/4 BBL (Quarter) - ~7.75 gallons
  • 1/2 BBL (Half) - ~15.5 gallons
  • Full BBL - ~31 gallons

Custom Volumes:

  • Enter any volume amount
  • Useful for cask ales, bottles, or special containers
  • Tracked in gallons

Session Management

Starting a Session:

  • Assigning a beer starts an active serving session
  • Volume tracking begins (FlowBox hardware integration coming soon)
  • Beer appears on public taplist immediately

Managing Active Sessions:

  • Monitor remaining volume
  • Update information as needed
  • Track pour data (with hardware integration)

Managing Active Taps

Changing Beer Assignments

To change what's on tap, you must untap first:

  1. Click "Untap" - Remove current beer from tap
  2. Confirm removal - End current session
  3. Click "Assign Beer" - On now-empty tap
  4. Choose new beer - From your catalog or public beers
  5. Set volume - Configure keg size for new beer
  6. Confirm assignment - Updates immediately on public display

Session handling:

  • Previous session ends when you untap
  • New session starts fresh with new beer assignment
  • Two-step process ensures clean session management

Removing Beers from Taps

To empty a tap:

  1. Click "Untap" - On active tap card
  2. Confirm removal - Session ends
  3. Tap becomes available - Ready for new assignment

When to untap:

  • Keg is empty or nearly empty
  • Switching to different beer
  • Taking tap offline temporarily
  • End of seasonal beer availability

Volume Tracking

Current Volume Display:

  • Shows initial keg volume when beer is assigned
  • Volume set during beer assignment process
  • Helps track keg sizes and plan changes

FlowBox Integration (Coming Soon):

  • Automatic volume tracking with connected hardware
  • Real-time pour monitoring
  • Precise consumption data
  • Alerts for low volume

Advanced Tap Features

Tap Ordering and Display

Tap Numbers:

  • Taps are numbered sequentially (1, 2, 3, etc.)
  • Numbers correspond to physical tap positions
  • Display order matches tap numbering

Rearranging Taps:

  • Currently taps display in numerical order
  • Physical tap layout should match system numbering
  • Contact support for custom ordering needs

Multiple Location Management

If you have multiple locations:

  • Each brewery location has separate tap configuration
  • Manage taps independently for each location
  • Requires separate license for each location

Seasonal and Limited Beers

Managing Limited Releases:

  1. Add seasonal beer - To your catalog with seasonal notes
  2. Assign to tap - When available
  3. Update description - Include availability information
  4. Remove when done - Untap when no longer available

Rotation Strategies:

  • Plan tap rotations in advance
  • Keep customer favorites on consistent taps
  • Use seasonal taps for limited releases
  • Communicate changes to customers

Tap Management Best Practices

Optimal Tap Configuration

Tap Planning:

  • Core beers - Keep flagship beers on consistent tap numbers
  • Seasonal rotation - Designate specific taps for rotating selections
  • Guest beers - Reserve taps for collaborations or guest brews
  • Experimental - Use designated taps for small batch or test beers

Customer Experience:

  • Consistent placement - Customers learn where to find favorite beers
  • Clear organization - Group similar styles together when possible
  • Popular beers - Keep high-demand beers centrally located
  • New releases - Feature prominently to drive discovery

Maintenance and Updates

Regular Tasks:

  • Volume monitoring - Check keg levels regularly
  • Beer rotation - Update selections as inventory changes
  • Description updates - Keep beer information current
  • Quality checks - Ensure all active beers are serving properly

Planning Ahead:

  • Inventory awareness - Know when kegs will need changing
  • Seasonal planning - Prepare for holiday or seasonal beer changes
  • Event preparation - Adjust tap selection for special events
  • Staff communication - Ensure staff knows about tap changes

Maximizing License Value

Free Tier (3 taps):

  • Focus on flagship beers
  • Rotate one tap for seasonal variety
  • Use guest beers to add diversity

Basic Plan (8 taps):

  • Maintain core beer selection
  • Reserve taps for seasonal rotation
  • Include guest beers and collaborations
  • Experiment with new styles

Professional Plan (100 taps):

  • Comprehensive beer selection
  • Multiple style categories
  • Extensive seasonal rotation
  • Guest beer programs
  • Experimental and limited releases

Troubleshooting Tap Management

Common Issues

Problem: Can't assign beer to tap Solutions:

  • Check if you've reached your license tap limit
  • Verify beer exists in your catalog
  • Ensure tap isn't already assigned
  • Try refreshing the page

Problem: Changes not appearing on public display Solutions:

  • Wait a few moments for updates to sync
  • Refresh your public taplist page
  • Check if tap assignment was saved properly
  • Verify internet connection

Problem: Volume tracking not working Solutions:

  • FlowBox hardware integration is coming soon
  • Volume currently shows initial keg size only
  • Contact support for volume tracking questions

Volume Tracking Tips

Current Functionality:

  • Volume shows initial keg size when assigned
  • Track consumption through sales records or manual counts
  • Plan keg changes based on estimated usage
  • Monitor tap status for when kegs need changing

FlowBox Hardware (Coming Soon):

  • Automatic volume tracking will be available
  • Real-time pour monitoring planned
  • Hardware integration in development
  • Live keg level updates

Getting Help with Tap Management

Support Resources

  • License questions - Check account management guides
  • Technical issues - Contact support through My Account page
  • Best practices - Review brewery management forums and communities

Before Contacting Support

Have this information ready:

  • Your brewery subdomain
  • Specific tap numbers having issues
  • Screenshots of error messages
  • Description of what you're trying to accomplish

Ready to customize your display? Once your taps are configured, learn how to customize your taplist appearance to match your brewery's brand.