Unlike what some might say, building a beer system isn't as simple as asking a few questions. It's not as easy as 1-2-3. At the same time, it's not rocket science, either. So what makes a good beer system? It's components. Each beer dispensing system is different. No matter where you live, how hot the weather, the distance the beer will travel, the types of beer being served - no two beer systems are alike.

The Perlick factory just outside of Milwaukee can be a large and overwhelming place. But if you know what to look for, it can also be an eye opening place that sheds light on the whole Perlick philosophy. One of the easiest ways to learn about Perlick is to go behind-the-scenes. Quality and innovation are the names of the game.

Looking to build a profitable beer dispensing system? We know what you need, and we know profit is the bottom line. That’s why our engineers have poured over our systems to ensure they run as efficiently as possible. Our systems reduce waste to make sure you get the biggest bang for your buck when you choose a Perlick Beer System.

* The following Art of Bar Design Q&A article with Greg Rodd, Sales Engineer Manager with Perlick, first appeared in the February edition of Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine. What makes for good bar design? The bar is a profit center. A well designed, efficient bar has the right equipment arranged to minimize bartender movement, which equals more drinks per hour and translates to higher profits.

The easiest way to get quick shipment on select Perlick Back Bar and Underbar equipment is through the new Perlick Express program. Perlick Express provides fast turnaround on select items, which are guaranteed to ship within 24 hours. Find out which items are included in the Perlick Express program by reading the Perlick Express Catalog.

Just over 100 years ago, Perlick was founded in a small shop on Reed Street here in Milwaukee. Over the course of the last century, we've introduced mechanical refrigeration to the industry, created the first remote beer system that can carry beer 100 feet, and have evolved into an industry leader in commercial bar and beverage equipment. And we have the Best-In-Class Awards to prove it.

Vermouth. A classic almost mystical spirit that experienced its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Its versatility is limited only by the bartender's imagination, as it works in cocktails ranging from the Martini to the Manhattan to the Negroni. But to understand why vermouth is making a comeback, you first have to know why it lost favor in the first place.

Perlick's range of forward sealing faucets are the most sanitary beer and wine faucets on the market. They feature a revolutionary ball and floating O-ring design that eliminates the need for a valve shaft. This leads to cleaner dispensing because the beer and wine are not exposed to air. For customers, this means better tasting beverages without safety concerns. For operators, handle levers don't stick, and there's no build up of mold and bacteria in the body of the faucet.

With so many quality bars around the country, it means a great deal to be labeled as “the best.” From the menu and cocktail quality to the atmosphere and bar teams, a lot goes into being recognized at the top of the industry. Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards have become one of the most prestigious and coveted honors a bar can attain.

“Whoa. That’s Instagram-worthy.” In today’s digital age, there’s no higher compliment. That’s especially true in bars or restaurants. When a colossal-sized cheeseburger, an artistically presented slice of cheesecake, or a glowing craft cocktail arrives in front of us, our first instinct might be to reach for our phones and share these creations with the world.

"We've noticed the non-drinker has evolved," said award-winning bartender and founder of London's Dandylyan said in a recent article in Forbes. "It means you have people not drinking for a multitude of reasons, but they still want to socialize." This is a statement on the non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beverage trend that is gaining in popularity both at home and abroad. Consumers who choose not to imbibe have more than just the basic teetotaling options of decades past, and operators who understand this and are willing to step out of their comfort zones stand to attract a new type of customer.

If you stop and think about it, you can probably come up with a few cocktails that incorporate vegetables -- Bloody Mary's, Mojitos made with cucumber, or even a jalapeño-infused Margarita. And while fruits are still far more popular than vegetables when it comes to cocktail flavors, don't count out the veggies just yet.

Summer is here, and one of America's greatest pastimes is traveling the country in search of the Great American Ballpark. Here at Perlick, we're doing the same thing, though we're not just limiting our tour to baseball. From the World's Greatest Arena to the Frozen Tundra here a little closer to home, let's take a quick look at the evolution of stadium beer and beverage service from famous arenas across the country.

If there's one thing we recall from high school science class, it could be that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. What Newton was basically saying was that nature has a way of balancing itself out, but what he might not have realized was the same goes for an effective beer system. Everything you do, every change you make, has an impact to the system as a whole.

For many of us, it feels like the spring weather takes longer to arrive every year. When it does finally arrive, springtime brings with it trees blossoming, birds chirping, and crisp, refreshing beers to pour. Of the four seasons, spring is often overlooked when it comes to associating beer styles, and it can be attributed to a lack of specific seasonal flavors tied to spring.

Despite the adversity the lodging industry faces with home sharing services like Airbnb and VRBO, there's also an enormous opportunity for properties to attract and cash in with food and beverage. In a recent edition of Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, our own VP of commercial sales, Jim Koelbl, sat down to discuss the current beverage trends in the hospitality industry, and the conversation was enlightening.