On Friday, 16th May at Holywell Park Conference Centre, Loughborough, BFBi hosted the “Cellar 2 Seller” Knowledge Exchange—a one-day event designed to unite cellar service technicians, brand owners, and beverage dispense specialists for a comprehensive look into best practices in keg dispense systems.
The event delivered a unique blend of technical presentations, practical demonstrations, and insightful discussions, providing a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and networking across the drinks industry.
Watch the Highlight Video:
Key Topics & Highlights:
The day kicked off with a presentation by Allan Stevenson of Chemisphere, who introduced the Principal Brewer Guidelines and delved into the complexities of gaining access to main dispense lines—an essential aspect of ensuring fair and transparent access to the shared dispense system, whilst maintaining quality and compliance.
A major focus of the day was a Round Table Discussion on Hygiene and Line Cleaning for Low & No Alcohol Beers. This segment explored both the scientific and practical challenges of serving these increasingly popular beverages through the shared dispense system.
Panel participants included:
- Grzegorz Rachon (Campden BRI), who provided scientific context around the unique characteristics and hygiene sensitivities of low/no alcohol beers.
- Charlie Smith (Beer Quality & Technical Manager, Lucky Saint), who brought a brand-level perspective to the table, sharing practical experiences and market insights.
- David Quain (Nottingham University), who contributed academic research findings and insights into optimal dispense techniques for these products.
Key topics discussed:
- The science behind low/no alcohol beers.
- Hygiene protocols and line-cleaning challenges specific to these beverages.
- The implications of shared dispense systems on product quality and consistency.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Dispense
The event also featured a forward-looking presentation titled Future of Dispense, led by Alistair Dowds of Brewfitt, which examined emerging trends and technologies shaping the future of beverage dispense systems.
The day concluded with an open Q&A session, where attendees were invited to raise technical queries and discuss real-world issues encountered in the field.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks go to the event sponsors for their generous support:
Analox
Air Liquide
Chemisphere
The FluidConnections Co. (UK) Ltd
RLBS
The “Cellar to Seller” Knowledge Exchange reaffirmed the value of collaboration, shared learning, and technical innovation in ensuring quality and consistency from cellar to glass.
For copies of the slide decks please contact info@bfbi.org.uk.
