Plumbing & Setup Simplified: ReverseTap Install Guide for Venues
In today’s fast-paced hospitality landscape, speed, consistency, and customer experience are essential, especially in beverage service. ReverseTap, offered by GS Draft, is engineered to transform draft pouring with its bottom-fill technology that delivers perfectly measured drinks in seconds. This system isn’t just eye-catching; it’s a practical upgrade that reduces waste, shortens wait times, and increases throughput during peak hours.
For venues looking to streamline their beverage operations, GS Draft simplifies the ReverseTap installation process. Whether you're outfitting a new bar or updating an existing setup, the system is designed for easy integration and minimal disruption. This guide outlines the key steps to help you get ReverseTap up and running, so you can serve more guests, more efficiently.
Draft Beer System: Core of the ReverseTap Setup
At the heart of ReverseTap’s innovation is its seamless integration with standard draft beer systems. Rather than requiring a complete overhaul, ReverseTap is designed to work with most existing beverage infrastructure, making it an ideal upgrade for bars, taprooms, and high-volume venues. The system replaces traditional tap handles with a bottom-filling mechanism, offering precise, touch-free pouring that reduces spillage and speeds up service.
When considering compatibility, ReverseTap fits easily into setups that include:
- Standard U.S. and European keg types
- Draft beer lines with common tubing diameters
- CO₂ or mixed gas systems for pressurization
- Remote or direct-draw refrigeration units
Venue operators can often use their current gas and refrigeration setup, minimizing installation costs and downtime. ReverseTap’s modular build also allows multiple units to be installed side-by-side to accommodate different beverage types or increase volume capacity.
The key benefits of integrating ReverseTap into your draft beer system include:
- Faster Pours – Fill a pint in as little as 5–10 seconds, allowing staff to serve more customers during peak hours.
- Less Waste – Bottom-up pouring reduces foam overflow and spillage, preserving more beer per keg.
- Visual Appeal – The bottom-fill process engages guests and adds a “wow” factor, enhancing the overall experience.
In short, ReverseTap doesn’t just enhance your draft system—it turns it into a performance feature that’s both practical and profitable.
Plumbing Made Simple: Installation Steps
Installing ReverseTap is a straightforward process that requires basic plumbing adjustments and thoughtful space planning. Whether you're incorporating the system into a new build or upgrading an existing bar, the goal is to ensure smooth operation, easy maintenance access, and compliance with local health and safety codes.
Water and Drainage Requirements
Although ReverseTap is primarily a draft system, some installations may benefit from access to a water line for cleaning or auxiliary features. More importantly, proper drainage is essential. Each ReverseTap unit includes an integrated drip tray with a built-in drain line that must connect to your bar’s floor drain or waste system to handle overflow and rinse water efficiently.
Key plumbing considerations include:
- Dedicated floor drain or waste connection for each unit’s drip tray
- Optional water supply line for automated rinse or cleaning (depending on setup)
- Accessible shutoff valves for maintenance and service
Space Planning for Under-Bar and Back-Bar Setups
ReverseTap units are compact but require sufficient room for beer line routing, keg connections, and drainage. Depending on your bar layout, you can install them directly on the bar top or integrate them into a recessed counter space for a cleaner look.
Planning tips:
- Leave at least 8–10 inches behind the unit for tubing and drainage clearance
- Ensure vertical access beneath the bar for easy keg swaps and CO₂ tank management
- Group units together to optimize pour efficiency and simplify plumbing routes
Typical Timeline and What to Expect During Installation
Installation time depends on how many units you're adding and whether you're working with an existing draft system. A basic install of 1–4 ReverseTap units typically takes 4–6 hours, while more complex setups with multiple stations may take a full day. Most installations follow this sequence:
Site assessment and layout confirmation
Draft line and CO₂ integration
Drain line routing and secure mounting
System testing and initial calibration
ReverseTap’s team or your preferred draft technician can often complete installation with minimal disruption to your operations. The result: a cleaner bar setup, faster pours, and a more engaging service experience with minimal downtime.
Specialized Equipment Required
Setting up ReverseTap goes beyond just installing hardware—it involves integrating specialized components that work together to deliver a seamless, tech-enabled beverage experience. From custom-pour cups to software-driven analytics, each element is designed to support speed, accuracy, and ease of use.
ReverseTap-Specific Components
To operate correctly, each ReverseTap unit requires a combination of proprietary equipment that ensures consistent pours and streamlined service:
Base Units – The core dispensing hardware, designed to fill cups from the bottom using magnetically sealed valves.
RFID-Enabled Cups – Specially designed cups with RFID tags at the base, enabling the system to detect cup size and authorize the pour.
Smart Software – Cloud-based or local software that manages pour permissions, tracks usage, and integrates with POS systems for seamless transactions.
Refrigeration and Cooling Compatibility
ReverseTap systems work best when integrated into an efficient draft line and cooling setup. Fortunately, they are compatible with most standard refrigeration systems, whether you're using a walk-in cooler, kegerator, or remote glycol-cooled system.
To ensure proper performance, you’ll need:
Consistent temperature control between 36–38°F for optimal beer quality
Insulated draft lines or trunk lines to prevent foam and preserve carbonation
CO₂ or mixed gas setups with regulators calibrated to maintain steady pressure across all kegs
Maintenance Tools and Setup Kits
ReverseTap systems are built for daily use but still require regular cleaning and occasional servicing. A basic setup typically includes:
Cleaning adapter kits for the safe sanitation of internal valves and lines
Replacement seals and gaskets to maintain airtight connections
Diagnostic tools (available through ReverseTap) for troubleshooting system alerts or pour issues
With the right tools and planning, your ReverseTap installation will be fully equipped to support fast, hygienic, and high-volume beverage service—all with minimal operational friction.
Beverage Service Efficiency After Setup
Once installed, ReverseTap transforms the pace and precision of beverage service almost instantly. The bottom-fill technology allows each drink to be poured in as little as five seconds, significantly faster than traditional taps. This speed means bartenders and servers can fulfill more orders in less time, reducing wait times and keeping lines moving during peak hours.
Improved Staff Workflows
With ReverseTap, staff no longer need to monitor for foam, overpouring, or spillage. The system pours the exact amount needed every time, freeing up team members to focus on customer interaction, order-taking, or handling other responsibilities.
Benefits for staff include:
- Fewer errors and mispours, thanks to automatic fill settings
- Faster service during peak hours, boosting overall throughput
- Less cleanup due to reduced foam overflow or accidental spills
A Better Experience for Guests
From the guest's perspective, ReverseTap adds a layer of entertainment and efficiency to every order. The unique visual of the beverage filling from the bottom creates a memorable moment that often sparks curiosity and conversation. More importantly, guests receive their drinks quickly and consistently—something every customer appreciates.
Experience-enhancing features include:
- Novelty factor that draws attention and makes the bar a focal point
- Consistent pours for every guest, ensuring quality and fairness
- Shorter wait times, improving satisfaction during busy service hours
By streamlining operations and delivering a faster, more engaging experience, ReverseTap helps venues serve more customers—more efficiently—without sacrificing quality.
Meeting Customer Demand with ReverseTap
In a busy venue, the ability to serve more guests quickly can directly impact both revenue and customer satisfaction. ReverseTap’s rapid auto-pouring capability allows staff to handle high-volume service without sacrificing quality or accuracy. By reducing pour time to just a few seconds per drink, venues can keep up with demand even during the most crowded events or peak service hours.
Serving More Guests, Faster
ReverseTap eliminates bottlenecks at the bar by speeding up the entire drink process. Whether it’s a concert, sporting event, or weekend rush, the system enables consistent, high-speed pouring, helping venues capitalize on peak demand periods.
Operational benefits include:
More pours per hour, increasing potential sales volume
Less staff strain, reducing fatigue during busy shifts
Shorter lines and faster turnover, creating a smoother guest experience
Real-World Sales Improvements
Venues that have implemented ReverseTap often report noticeable improvements in both efficiency and profitability. Many locations see a measurable increase in beverage sales within weeks of installation, thanks to the system’s ability to serve more drinks per hour without increasing labor.
Insights from installations show:
Higher revenue during high-traffic periods, especially at stadiums and large venues
Reduced waste from overpouring or foamy drafts, improving profit margins
Increased tips as staff can serve more customers in less time
Using Data to Align with Guest Preferences
ReverseTap’s software also collects valuable usage data, giving venue owners insight into which drinks are most popular, when demand spikes, and how inventory is being used. This data can be used to refine beverage offerings, adjust pricing strategies, and optimize staffing.
With data-driven tools, you can:
Tailor your beverage menu to match customer demand
Identify top-performing products and slow movers
Schedule staff more efficiently, based on peak pour times
In short, ReverseTap empowers venues to not only meet demand but to anticipate and exceed it with smarter, faster service backed by real-time analytics.
Technical Support & Troubleshooting
ReverseTap doesn’t just stop at installation—it comes with comprehensive technical support to ensure your system continues to run smoothly and efficiently. From initial setup to long-term maintenance, the support team is readily available to assist with training, software updates, and troubleshooting.
Ongoing Support You Can Count On
After installation, venue operators receive access to expert guidance and technical assistance. The ReverseTap support team is well-versed in both hardware and software components and can walk you through common questions or system alerts.
You can expect:
- Dedicated customer support channels (phone, email, or live chat)
- Step-by-step troubleshooting guides and maintenance checklists
- Quick response times for urgent issues or system outages
Training, Software Updates & Remote Diagnostics
To maximize your investment, ReverseTap provides access to onboarding resources and training modules for staff. These materials cover everything from daily operation to troubleshooting common issues. The system software is also regularly updated to improve performance, security, and data capabilities.
Support resources include:
- Training sessions for new staff and refresher courses
- Automatic or manual software updates, depending on your setup
- Remote diagnostics and support tools that allow the ReverseTap team to identify and resolve issues without an on-site visit
Warranty and Repair Services
Each ReverseTap unit is backed by a limited warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship. Should any component fail under normal use, ReverseTap will repair or replace the affected parts as quickly as possible to minimize downtime.
Warranty and service features include:
Standard warranty coverage (terms vary by region or vendor)
Optional extended service plans for additional protection
Access to replacement parts and certified repair technicians
With full-spectrum support in place, ReverseTap ensures that you not only start strong but stay confident in your beverage system’s performance, day in and day out.
ReverseTap, available through GS Draft, simplifies installation and modernizes beverage service with fast, consistent pours, seamless draft system integration, and real-time data insights. It’s a smart upgrade that helps venues serve more guests with less waste and greater efficiency. For customized planning and expert support, connect with the GS Draft team to schedule a ReverseTap demo and see the system in action.
Simplify Your ReverseTap Installation with GS Draft
At GS Draft System Solutions, we simplify the plumbing and setup process for self-serve beer systems. We specialize in designing, installing, and supporting ReverseTap technology to help venues reduce waste, maintain consistent pour quality, and enhance the guest experience. Let our team handle the technical details so your operations run smoother from the start.
From plumbing to final setup, GS Draft is committed to delivering high-quality, customized ReverseTap solutions tailored to your venue. Our expert team ensures a smooth installation process and ongoing support to help your self-serve system operate efficiently from day one.
Contact GS Draft today at (949) 421-3882 or email sales@gsdraft.com to discuss your setup needs and explore customized installation options.