Float Ale Extraction System – Floating Cask Ale Extractor for Real Ale
The Float Ale Extraction System is a floating cask ale extractor designed to draw beer from near the top of a traditional cask, rather than from the bottom through a conventional cask tap.
As the beer level falls, the float moves down with the surface of the beer, allowing the product inlet to follow the level within the cask.
Suitable for compatible 9–11 gallon casks, the system provides an alternative method of extracting real ale for connection to a traditional beer engine or other compatible cask dispense equipment.
Floating Cask Ale Extraction
Traditional cask dispense normally draws beer from the bottom of the cask.
A float ale extraction system works differently. The floating inlet sits close to the surface of the beer and gradually moves down as the cask empties.
This allows beer to be drawn from the upper part of the cask while heavier sediment remains settled towards the bottom.
Key Features
- Float Ale Extraction System
- Floating cask ale pickup
- Draws beer from near the top of the cask
- Float follows the beer level as the cask empties
- Suitable for compatible 9–11 gallon casks
- Designed for traditional real ale dispense
- Helps avoid drawing heavier sediment from the bottom of the cask
- Integrated non-return valve
- Suitable for connection to compatible beer engine systems
- Ideal for pubs, breweries and real ale bars
- Reusable cask dispense equipment
Suitable For
Common applications include:
- Cask-conditioned ale
- Real ale dispense
- Traditional beer engines
- Hand-pull beer systems
- Pub cellars
- Brewery taprooms
- Beer festivals
- Real ale events
- Temporary cask bars
- Compatible 9–11 gallon beer casks
How Does a Float Ale Extractor Work?
The product pickup is attached to a floating assembly inside the cask.
When the cask is full, the float sits towards the top of the beer. As beer is dispensed and the level drops, the float moves down with it.
This keeps the extraction point close to the surface rather than fixed at the bottom of the cask.
Helps Avoid Cask Sediment
Cask-conditioned beer can naturally develop sediment that settles towards the bottom of the cask.
Because the floating ale extractor draws from higher in the beer, it can help reduce the amount of settled material drawn into the product line compared with taking beer directly from the bottom.
Correct cellar management, conditioning and cask handling are still important when serving cask-conditioned ale.
Non-Return Valve
The system incorporates a non-return valve to help prevent reverse flow within the dispense line.
The non-return valve forms part of the extraction system but does not, by itself, extend the shelf life of the beer.
Cask Compatibility
Designed for compatible:
- 9 gallon casks / firkins
- 11 gallon casks
- Traditional cask ale systems
Always check the dimensions and connection arrangement of the cask and dispense system before ordering.
Important
A float extraction system changes where the beer is drawn from within the cask. It does not prevent oxidation or automatically extend the usable life of an opened cask.
Beer quality and shelf life will depend on factors including cellar temperature, conditioning, cask management, dispense method and whether a compatible cask breather or other system is being used.
