Beer engine

The beer engine was invented by John Lofting, a Dutch inventor, merchant and manufacturer who moved from Amsterdam to London in about 1688 and patented a number of inventions including a fire hose and engine for extinguishing fires and a thimble knurling machine.

The London Gazette of 17 March 1691 stated "the patentee hath also projected a very useful engine for starting of beers and other liquors which will deliver from 20 to 30 barrels an hour which are completely fixed with brass joints and screws at reasonable rates."

[2] This is often used in conjunction with a sparkler - a nozzle containing small holes - fitted to the spout to aerate the beer as it enters the glass, giving a frothier head; this presentation style is more popular in the north of England than in the south.

[citation needed] A sparkler will disguise flat beer, replacing the missing carbon dioxide with nitrogen and oxygen.

[5] The counter argument is that the sparkler takes away harshness[6] and produces a smoother, creamier beer that is easier to quaff.

For beers that are brewed regularly by the big breweries, high quality plastic, metal or ceramic pump clips are used.

There are variations on the material used, and the gaudiness or tastefulness of the decoration depending on how much the brewery wants to market their beers at the point of sale.