Beer Supplies

We at Rapids Wholesale know bars. And of course, beer. Since 1936, Rapids has been the top supplier of choice for bar owners or for those looking for great-quality beer hardware. From sophisticated long-draw systems to the simpler picnic dispensers and coolers, we at Rapids Wholesale will take good care of your beer-dispensing needs, and much, much more.
Beer Towers
Beer Towers
From One to Twenty Faucets; L-Shaped, T-Tower or Pass-Thru.
Beer Picnic Pumps and Jockey Boxes
Picnic Pumps and Coolers
Picnic Pumps, Coil Coolers, Assembled Beer Line, and Keg Jackets or Blankets.
Long Draw Systems
Long Draw Systems
Glycol Chillers, Ready-Made Trunklines, Air Shaft Blowers, Ducts, Tube Insulation and Accessories
Beer Faucet Shanks
Beer Shanks
The right shank to complete any beer installation. Brass or Stainless.
Beer Faucets
Faucets & Tap Handles
Faucets for Beer and Wine. Plus Plain or Signature Faucet Handles
CO2 Regulators
CO2 Regulators
High Quality CO2 Keg Regulators For Top Performing Beer Systems
Keg Couplers
Couplers
Couplers, Tappers or Sankeys - Whatever you choose to call them, Rapids has you covered.
Hoses and Tubing
Hoses & Tubing
Vinyl, Poly, Braided or Barrier. Gas and Beverage Lines From Rapids
Connectors and Fittings
Connectors & Fittings
Clamps, Elbows and Other Fittings to Repair or Build Beer Systems
Drip Pans
Drip Pans
Drop-in, Wall Mount or Counter Top, Brass or Stainless. Drip Pans Complete Your Installation
Empty Keg Detectors
Empty Keg Detectors
Beer FOB Detectors - Never Re-Pack Beer Lines on a Busy Night Again!
Keg Racks & Dollies
Racks & Dollies
Keg storage racks and keg dollies for easy transport and storing of your kegs
Keg Fridge Conversion Kits
Home Brewing Kits
Easily Convert your Refrigerator into a Beer Dispenser
Beer Faucet Lock
Draft Beer Accessories
Repair Parts and Accessories for your Beer Dispensing System
Beerline Cleaning Kits
Beer Line Cleaning
All the Tools and Chemicals You Need to Keep Your Beer Lines Clean
Tools
Keg Tools & Hardware
Wrenches, Pliers, Pincers, Cutters and More. All the Tools to Maintain Your Beer System


More on Beer Supplies


Beer Hardware

So What Is Draft Beer, Anyway?

Draft (or draught) beer is beer served from a cask or keg. Today, draft beer commonly refers to beer that is stored in a large container or pressurized beer dispenser that is usually five gallons or more. The old English word draft (which was spelled draught) meant "to pull" because, in taverns hundreds of years ago, beer was served directly from the barrel and carried to the customer. The act of bringing something to someone or to carry was referred to by the Old English word dragen, which evolved into a series of synonymous words that included drag, draw, and draught. In turn, the word for carrying or drawing beer via hand pumps also came to be known as draft and draught, and these words were eventually used to name the beer itself.

The start of the twentieth century saw the serving of draft beer coming from pressurized containers. This method of serving beer became popular in Europe and then spread to the rest of the world. Needless to say, by the early 1970s, draft beer worldwide was almost exclusively served from a pressurized container.

For many years now, Rapids Wholesale has been providing quality beer equipment supplies specifically targeted for bar owners who want to serve their customers perfectly poured, chilled draft beer.

The Long and Short of Long-Draw Systems

Long-draw systems help provide ice-cold beer to places relatively far from where the brew kegs are stored. Typically, there are three types of beer systems used to provide cold draft beer: forced-air systems, glycol systems, and picnic pumps and coolers. A forced-air system is one of the most common methods of chilling beer. In this system, cold air that is chilled from a cold box is forced through short to medium-length draft lines to chill the beer. On the other hand, in a glycol system, beer passes through tubes to a chiller plate and becomes cold. The chilling process works by forcing a cold liquid (glycol) along tubes to a chiller plate, which is usually cast aluminium, and then through the tap system, thereby keeping the beer cold. The glycol never actually comes in contact with the beer. Lastly, picnic pumps and coolers help serve beer direct from kegs especially during picnics and special events that are held outdoors.

Looking to Serve the Best Draft Beer? Tap into Rapids Wholesale!

So here's one obvious, undeniable fact: the best bars serve the best draft beer. Excellent draft beer is chilled, light and bubbly, with a good head of foam (which helps the beer drinker notice the flavors and aroma of the brew). And here at Rapids Wholesale, we provide you with the best brew hardware that will help you pour the perfect draft beer that your customers and patrons will enjoy. Choose from a wide selection of beer towers, beer faucets, brew kegs, keg supplies, beer shanks, beer dispensers, long-draw systems, hoses and tubing, drip pans, and other beer equipment at very competitive prices, from the foremost provider of wholesale beer supplies - Rapids Wholesale.

Need More Help? No Problem!

Many of our expert Sales Representatives have years of experience in the food-service and beer industries before coming to join us. If you can't find what you're looking for here in our website, at one of our convenient locations, or even in our frequently mailed catalogs, please feel free to contact us, and one of our knowledgeable Rapids Wholesale Sales Representatives will immediately assist you in locating the products that you need.