What parts make up a draft system?
A draft system has three zones: cold storage for kegs, the path the beer travels, and the dispense point at the bar. Each zone has equipment and labor. The longer and more complicated the path, the more the system costs, which is why two bars with the same tap count can receive very different quotes.
- Cold storage: walk-in keg cooler or keg refrigerators, keg couplers, shelving.
- Gas: CO2 or blended gas supply, regulators, gas lines.
- The path: insulated trunk lines, glycol lines, wall and ceiling penetrations.
- Dispense: towers, shanks, faucets, drip trays, and often a glycol power pack that keeps beer cold all the way to the faucet.
- Labor: running lines, balancing pressure, testing and startup.
Should you choose a glycol system or direct draw?
Direct-draw systems put kegs in a cooler right under or behind the taps and are simpler and less costly for a handful of taps. Long-draw glycol systems chill lines over longer distances, letting kegs live in a walk-in far from the bar. Most bars with many taps or a remote keg room need glycol. Your installer should recommend based on layout, not just price.
A small café adding a few taps might run direct draw from an under-counter cooler. A sports bar pouring from a basement walk-in to an island bar almost certainly needs glycol. Choosing the cheaper system for the wrong layout often means warm, foamy pours on busy nights and wasted beer, which costs more over time than the equipment savings.
| Factor | Direct draw | Long-draw glycol |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A few taps near the keg cooler | Many taps or a remote keg room |
| Installation | Simpler, less labor | More labor, line runs and chilling |
| Pour quality over distance | Limited to short runs | Keeps beer cold to the faucet |
| Typical funding | Equipment financing | Equipment financing incl. install |
How many taps should you budget for?
Budget for the taps you can keep fresh, not the most you can fit. Each tap needs enough sales to empty a keg before quality drops. Many bars find a moderate core list with a few rotating handles outperforms a long wall of slow movers. Plan extra line capacity during installation, since adding lines later can mean opening walls again.
Look at your current sales: which beers move quickly, which sit, and how often guests ask for something you do not carry. A taproom-style rotation may justify more handles, while a neighborhood pub may do better with fewer, well-kept taps. For taproom-specific planning, see brewpubs and taprooms.
How does equipment financing work for a draft system?
The funder pays the installer or vendor, and you make fixed payments over a term that roughly tracks the system's useful life. Installation labor is usually included when it is on the quote, which matters because labor can be a large share of a draft project. The equipment typically serves as collateral, which often makes the paperwork lighter than for unsecured funding.
If the draft system is part of a larger remodel, split it out. Towers, glycol and coolers fit equipment financing, while cutting floors, building a keg room or moving the bar fits a term loan. See how bar owners finance a renovation for the full picture.
What ongoing costs should you plan for?
Plan for regular line cleaning, gas, replacement parts like faucets and couplers, and periodic glycol service. These are operating costs rather than financed equipment, and skipping them shows up quickly as off-flavors, foam and waste. Many bars use a line cleaning service on a set schedule, which is easier to budget than occasional emergency calls when pours go wrong.
A glycol power pack that fails before a playoff weekend is a common emergency. Keeping the installer's service contact handy, and a small reserve or line of credit for repairs, keeps one failure from wrecking a big weekend.
When is the best time to install, and what do funders need?
Install during a slower stretch with enough lead time for equipment delivery, ideally several weeks before your busiest season. Funders usually want the itemized installer quote, recent bank statements and basic business details. Requirements vary by product and funder; many look at time in business, monthly revenue and credit. A short note on why you are adding or replacing the system helps.
Some approvals come within a day or two, depending on documents, but installers often need scheduling time, so start early. If your draft project involves changing your licensed premises, such as adding an outdoor bar, confirm approvals with your state alcohol beverage control agency first.
What you’ll typically need
- Itemized installer quote separating equipment and labor
- Recent business bank statements
- Owner identification and business details
- Floor plan or photos of the keg room and bar
Frequently asked questions
Does financing cover installation labor?
Usually, yes, when installation is included on the installer's quote. That is important for draft systems, where running and chilling lines can be a large share of the project. Ask for a quote that separates equipment, labor and any warranty or service plan so the funder can see the full picture.
Can I finance a used draft system?
Some funders finance used components, but draft systems are often custom-fitted to a space, and old lines are usually replaced for quality reasons. Reusing towers or a walk-in cooler can lower costs. Ask your installer which parts are worth keeping and put that on the quote.
What about line cleaning and maintenance costs?
Line cleaning, gas, replacement parts and glycol service are ongoing operating costs, not financed equipment. Budget them monthly. Regular cleaning protects the investment, reduces foam and waste, and keeps the beer tasting the way the brewer intended. A service contract makes those costs predictable.
Can I add taps later?
Yes, but it is cheaper to plan for them up front. Installing extra line capacity and a larger trunk during the first project avoids reopening walls or ceilings later. Tell your installer how many taps you might want in a few years, not just today.
Can a café or restaurant finance a small draft system?
Yes. A small direct-draw setup is often bundled with other equipment, such as a coffee station or refrigeration, into one equipment financing request. Adding beer service may require license changes, so confirm with your state alcohol beverage control agency before installing.
Pour colder, waste less
Send your installer's quote and we will look for equipment financing options.
Updated September 14, 2026 · OpenTab Capital Funding Team