GB2369107A

GB2369107A - Dispensing a beverage

Info

Publication number: GB2369107A
Application number: GB0116627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Iain Wallace Anderson; Wendy Gladys Box; Peter Thomas Foster; Rachel Joanna Galt; Stuart William Molzahn; David Edwin Quain; Stephen Paul Smith; Robert Alan Wright
Original assignee: Bass Machine Holdings Ltd; Brandbrew SA
Current assignee: Bass Machine Holdings Ltd; Brandbrew SA
Priority date: 2000-07-08
Filing date: 2001-07-09
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB0116627D0

Abstract

A method of dispensing a draught beverage, for example a beer, having a water content and a dissolved gas content; the beverage issuing from a mixing nozzle 24 into a drinking glass 26. The beverage is subjected to nucleation causing nucleation sites to occur in the beverage, at which sites ice is encouraged to form. Draught beverage from a beverage supply 12 is initially cooled by chiller 16 before reaching the mixing nozzle 24 in which the beverage mixes with coolant from a coolant supply 14 before going into the glass 26. This mixing and cooling by the coolant in the mixing nozzle causes nucleation and ice to form in the beverage before it is delivered into the glass. The coolant may be cold liquified gas, for example liquid nitrogen, or may be solid carbon dioxide. Nucleation may also be brought about by subjecting the beverage to audible sound or light eg from a laser.

Description

DISPENSING A BEVERAGE

This invention concerns a method of dispensing a draught beverage.

The invention also concerns dispensed draught beverage, and apparatus for use in dispensing the beverage.

The draught beverage may comprise a water content.

The draught beverage may comprise a dissolved gas content.

According to a first aspect of the invention a method of dispensing a draught beverage comprises delivering a draught beverage into a vessel, and subjecting the beverage to nucleation therein whereby nucleation sites are created in the beverage in the vessel.

According to a second aspect of the invention a method of dispensing a draught beverage comprises delivering draught beverage into a vessel, the draught beverage in the vessel also comprising ice, said ice being created by subjecting the beverage to the effect of cold liquefied gas or solid carbon dioxide, or said ice being introduced into the vessel having been formed outside it by subjecting a liquid to the effect of cold liquefied gas or solid carbon dioxide.

The liquid outside the vessel may be water or a similar beverage to that delivered into the vessel.

The liquefied gas may be liquid nitrogen. Means may be provided to dispense the liquefied gas or solid carbon dioxide into the vessel, for

example simultaneously with some or all of the beverage, or before or after beverage dispense into the vessel.

The vessel may be a drinking vessel, for example a glass.

The draught beverage may comprise a water content and/or a dissolved gas content.

The beverage may be non-alcoholic or alcoholic. For example, an alcoholic beverage may be a beer, for example a lager, or an ale, stout or porter or the alcoholic beverage may be cider.

The draught beverage may be cooled prior to delivery into the vessel, for example using beverage cooling means in a beverage dispensing system which may convey beverage from a beverage supply to a dispense tap or a font at, for example, a drinks bar.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing a draught beverage which method comprises delivering a draught beverage into a vessel and introducing a nucleation fluid into the vessel in addition to said beverage.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for the delivery of a beverage to a vessel which apparatus comprises a beverage nozzle for delivery of a beverage and a nucleation fluid nozzle for delivery of a nucleation fluid which nucleation fluid is adapted to be connected to a supply of the nucleation fluid.

The vessel may be a drinking vessel, for example a glass. The nucleation fluid may be a liquid (for example water or liquid nitrogen, especially cold water) or a gas, for example nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

The draught beverage may be cooled prior to delivering into the vessel, for example using beverage cooling means in a beverage dispensing system which may convey beverage from a supply of beverage to a dispense tap or a font at, for example, a drinks bar. The beverage may be non-alcoholic or alcoholic. For example an alcoholic beverage may be a beer, for example a lager or an ale, stout or porter or the alcoholic beverage may be cider. The beverage preferably has a water content and/or a dissolved gas content. The dissolved gas may be nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide.

If cold water or ice from water is used, it may be delivered in such quantity as to dilute the alcoholic beverage to a predetermined alcoholic strength, for example alcohol by volume (ABV). For example beer or lager may be diluted to substantially 6% ABV.

The nucleation fluid may be introduced into the vessel at the same time as the beverage or after the beverage has been delivered to the vessel. The nucleation fluid promotes the formation of ice in the beverage especially when the beverage is cooled. It is believed that the nucleation fluid provides nucleation sites within the beverage, which sites promote the formation of ice.

The nucleation fluid may optionally be premixed with the beverage before the beverage is delivered to the vessel. Alternatively the nucleation fluid may be introduced into the vessel separately to the beverage, e. g. where the beverage is delivered to the vessel via a nozzle, the nucleation fluid may be introduced by a nozzle within the beverage nozzle or by a separate nozzle. The nucleation fluid may also be introduced via an orifice plate.

It is preferable that the nucleation fluid is introduced in the form of a fine stream. Accordingly the nucleation fluid nozzle is preferably a narrow nozzle; for example it may take the form of a needle, e. g. a hypodermic needle. More preferably when the nucleation fluid nozzle is in the form of a narrow nozzle, the nozzle is introduced into the vessel via a wall of the vessel which may be pierced.

Accordingly there may be further provided a vessel suitable for use in the method according to the third aspect of the invention or in apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention which vessel possesses a wall which may be pierced. Preferably the base of the vessel may be pierced. For example, the vessel may be provided with a wall (e. g. a base) made of rubber or plastics material or any other material which is resilient and self-sealing to be liquid-tight after it has been pierced.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing a draught beverage which method comprises delivering a draught beverage into a vessel and irradiating the beverage with a light source to promote nucleation within the beverage.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for the delivery of a beverage to a vessel which apparatus comprises a beverage nozzle for delivery of a beverage which beverage nozzle is adapted to be connectable to a supply of the beverage, and a light source for promoting nucleation within beverage in a said vessel when the apparatus is in use.

The vessel may be a drinking vessel for example a glass. The light source is optionally in the form of an electric bulb (for example a halogen bulb) a fluorescent strip or a laser. The light source may be stationary or

it may be movable such that substantially all of the vessel may be irradiated. The draught beverage may be cooled prior to delivery into the vessel, for example using beverage cooling means in a beverage dispensing system which may convey beverage from a supply of beverage to a dispense tap or a font, at, for example, a drinks bar. The beverage may be nonalcoholic or alcoholic. For example, an alcoholic beverage may be a beer, for example a lager or an ale, stout or porter or the alcoholic beverage may be cider. The beverage preferably has a water content and/or a dissolved gas content. The dissolved gas may be nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide.

One advantage of irradiating the beverage with a light source is that it is believed to promote the formation of ice in the beverage especially when the beverage is cooled. The irradiation provides nucleation sites within the beverage which sites promote the formation of ice. They may also contribute to formation of a head on the beverage. The power output of the light source is preferably sufficiently strong for the irradiation to promote the formation of nucleation sites within the beverage. The nucleation sites may be formed by bubbles of gas which had been dissolved in the beverage.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention a method of dispensing a draught beverage having a water content comprises introducing cooled draught beverage into a vessel, and injecting gas into the beverage so the gas bubbles provide nucleation sites whereat ice forms in the beverage.

The injected gas may at least assist in forming a head of foam on the beverage.

The vessel may be a drinking vessel, for example a glass.

Besides having a water content, the beverage may have a dissolved gas content which may, for example, be carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen.

The injected gas may be carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen.

The injected gas may be cooled prior to injection.

Injection of gas may be automatic so a gas injection nozzle may automatically become at least partially submerged in the beverage during the course of the dispense of the beverage, or the nozzle may be introduced either manually or at a time selected by a person serving the beverage.

The draught beverage may be cooled prior to delivery into the vessel, for example using beverage cooling means in a beverage dispensing system which may convey beverage from a supply of beverage to a dispense tap or a font at, for example, a drinks bar.

The beverage may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. For example, an alcoholic beverage may be beer, for example a lager or an ale, stout or porter, or the alcoholic beverage may be cider.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention a method of dispensing a draught beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content wherein said method comprises introducing cooled beverage into a vessel and subjecting said beverage to audible sound which encourages gas bubbles to appear in the beverage in the vessel and provide nucleation sites encouraging formation of ice thereat in the beverage in the vessel.

Thus the invention may provide a dramatic or theatrical display. According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for the delivery of a beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content to a vessel which apparatus comprises a nozzle for delivery of a said beverage which nozzle is adapted to be connectable to a supply of the beverage, and sound generation means which is adapted to subject said beverage when present to audible sound which encourages gas bubbles to appear in the beverage in the vessel.

The gas bubbles may also assist in forming or encouraging formation of a head of foam on the beverage in the vessel.

The vessel may be a drinking vessel, for example a glass.

Loudspeaker means may be arranged to direct audible sound energy (i) towards the beverage as it issues into the vessel from a dispense nozzle and/or (ii) at the vessel itself. The beverage may be subjected to the audible sound before the beverage reaches the dispense nozzle.

The audible sound may be tuneful or musical or discordant or interrupted or jarring or be any desired sound.

The draught beverage may be cooled prior to delivery into the vessel, for example using beverage cooling means in a beverage dispensing system which may convey beverage from a supply of beverage to a dispense nozzle or a font at, for example a drinks bar.

The beverage may be non-alcoholic or alcoholic. For example an alcoholic beverage may be a beer, for example a lager, or an ale, stout or porter, or the alcoholic beverage may be cider.

Attention is drawn to two International patent applications, namely International Application No. PCT/GB99/03824 published under No. WO01136582) and International Application No. PCT/GB99/01551 (published under No. WO99/60092). Any individual feature or any combination of such features of any beverage disclosed in either of those International applications, and any method or apparatus or part of any method or apparatus disclosed in either of those International applications may be utilised in the dispense of beverage which is the subject of this current application.

Features of the invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of an apparatus for use in performance of the method according to the first or second aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of apparatus for use in performance of the method according to the first or second aspect of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention for use in performing the method according to the first or third aspect of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention for use in performing the method according to the first or third aspect of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of an apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention for use in performing the method according to the first or fifth aspect of the invention; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of an apparatus for use in performing the method according to the first or seventh aspect of the invention, and Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the invention for use in performing the method according to the first or eighth aspect of the invention.

In the following description the beverage can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic. The beverage comprises a water content and/or a dissolved gas content. Examples of suitable alcoholic beverages are beer and cider, an example of a beer is lager.

With reference to Figure 1, a dispensing apparatus 10 includes a draught beverage supply 12, a coolant supply 14, a chiller 16, valves 18,20, a control system 22 and a mixing head 24.

The control system 22 operates the valves 18,20 to draw either beverage or coolant from their respective supplies 12,14 into the mixing head 24.

Independent operation of the valves 18,20 allows either the beverage or coolant to pass freely through the mixing head 25 and be dispensed into a glass 26.

The simultaneous opening of the valves 18,20 draws both the beverage and coolant into the mixing head 24. The coolant chills the beverage sufficiently for the formation of ice to occur therein prior to the

dispensing of the mixture into the glass 26. The addition of said coolant can result in nucleation sites arising in the beverage, and such sites can encourage the formation of ice.

The coolant is typically a liquefied gas, for example liquid nitrogen. The coolant may however be solid carbon dioxide in which case the coolant supply 14 will typically be mounted directly above the mixing head 24 and the valve 18 may take the form of a gate valve.

Referring now to Figure 2, a draught beverage dispensing system 30 includes beverage supply 32, a coolant supply 34, a chiller 36, a valve 38, a temperature sensor 40, a control unit 42, and a dispense nozzle or head 44.

In use, the control unit 42 controls the valve 38 regulating the amount of coolant entering the beverage from the coolant supply 34. This may be regulated manually by the use of, for example, a key pad or alternatively by a feedback loop incorporating the temperature sensor 40.

The manual operation of the control unit 42 and valve allows either only coolant or only beverage or a mixture of the two to be dispensed via the head 44 into a glass 46.

The temperature sensor 40 acts via the feedback loop with the control unit to maintain the mixture of beverage and coolant at a constant preset temperature.

This temperature can be set so as to allow the formation of a predetermined proportion of ice within the mixture prior to dispensing.

It will be appreciated that the manual operation of the valve 38 can also allow ice formation within a beverage/coolant mixture prior to its dispensing.

It will further be appreciated that the glass 26,46 may be mounted upon a rotating platform and may be illuminated by light sources during dispensing of any or all of the beverage coolant, or mixture of the two.

Figure 3 shows an apparatus 50 suitable for filing a drinking vessel or glass 52 with a draught beverage. The apparatus 50 possesses a beverage nozzle 53 which is connected to a beverage supply line 56. Provided within the beverage nozzle 53 is a nucleation fluid nozzle 54 which is connected to a nucleation fluid supply line 55. The nucleation fluid may be a liquid (for example water or liquid nitrogen, especially cold water) or a gas, for example nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Figure 4 shows an apparatus 60 suitable for filling a drinking vessel 62 with a draught beverage. The vessel 62 is provided with a base 67 of resilient self-sealing material which may be pierced and the vessel 62 seats on support 68. The base 67 is formed from rubber. The apparatus 60 possesses a beverage nozzle 63 which is connected to a beverage supply line 66. Support 68 is provided with nucleation fluid nozzle 64 which is connected to nucleation fluid supply line 65. The nucleation fluid nozzle 64 is in the form of a hypodermic needle which pierces the base 67 of the vessel 62. The base 67 self-seals when removed from nozzle 64.

In Figure 3 the nucleation fluid nozzle 54 need not be provided within the beverage nozzle 53 but could be separate from or external of the beverage nozzle.

The addition of said nucleation fluid into the beverage in the vessel 52 or 62 promotes the formation of ice in the beverage, especially if the beverage is prior cooled immediately before dispense from the nozzle 53 or 63. It is believed that the nucleation fluid provides or creates nucleation sites within the beverage, which sites promote the formation of ice.

Figure 5 shows an apparatus 70 suitable for filling a drinking vessel or glass 72 with a draught beverage. The apparatus 70 possesses a beverage nozzle 73 which is connected to a draught beverage supply line 74. The apparatus is also provided with a laser light source 75 which is connected to a power supply 76. The light from light source 75 irradiates the beverage in the glass 72 and promotes nucleation within that beverage.

The light source 75 need not be provided vertically above the glass 72 but may optionally be provided at one side or below.

With reference to Figure 6, a draught beverage dispensing apparatus 80 includes a font 82, a draught beverage supply 84, a beverage chiller 86, a gas supply 88, a gas chiller 90, valves 92,94 and a control unit 96.

The font 82 has hollow elongate body 98, arm 100 and head 102 portions.

Beverage and gas supply pipes 104,106 enter the body 98 and pass through the arm 100 and terminate internally of and adjacent an open free end of the head 102.

In use, the valves 92,94 regulate the flow of beverage and gas through their respective supply pipes 104,106 to exit through the head 102 in response to the control unit 96.

A drinking vessel or glass 108 can be placed under, or around, the head 102 and draught beverage 110 dispensed thereinto under pressure in response to the valve 92 being opened by the control unit 96.

The head 102 can be at best partially submerged in the beverage 110 during and after dispensing. The valve 94 is operated and gas can pass through the chiller 90 along the supply pipe 106 and enter the beverage 110.

The gas bubbles introduced into the beverage 110 from gas supply 88 can act as nucleation sites for ice formation where the beverage is chilled below the freezing point of water. Supply 88 can be a supply of carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen.

The gas can be introduced into the beverage 110 either during or after dispensing.

The control unit 96 can be in the form of a keypad or a valve lever. It will be appreciated that the gas chiller 90 can be omitted. It will be further appreciated that the drinking vessel 102 may be illuminated and/or mounted on a rotatable platform during dispensing of the beverage.

Figure 7 shows an apparatus 120 suitable for filling a drinking vessel or glass 122 with a draught beverage. The apparatus 120 comprises a beverage nozzle 123 which is connected to a beverage supply line 124.

The apparatus further comprises sound generation means 125 which is connected to a power supply 126 and comprises a loudspeaker 127. The beverage is cooled to a desired temperature just before it issues from the nozzle 123.

If desired the sound generation means 125 can be deployed at the side of the glass 122 or below it.

Subjecting the beverage to audible sound encourages gas bubbles to appear in the beverage in the vessel 122 and provide nucleation sites encouraging formation of ice at the sites in the beverage in the vessel.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a draught beverage comprising delivering a draught beverage into a vessel, and subjecting the beverage to nucleation therein whereby nucleation sites are created in the beverage in the vessel.

2. A method of dispensing a draught beverage comprising delivering draught beverage into a vessel, the draught beverage in the vessel also comprising ice, said ice being created by subjecting the beverage to the effect of cold liquefied gas or solid carbon dioxide, or said ice being introduced into the vessel having been formed outside it by subjecting a liquid to the effect of cold liquefied gas or solid carbon dioxide.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which said ice formed outside the vessel is formed from liquid outside the vessel, and said liquid is water or a similar beverage to that delivered into the vessel.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the liquefied gas is liquid nitrogen.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 4, in which said liquefied gas or solid carbon dioxide is dispensed into the vessel simultaneously with some or all of said beverage, or before, or after beverage is dispensed into the vessel.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5.

7. A method of dispensing a draught beverage, said method comprising delivering a draught beverage into a vessel and introducing a nucleation fluid into the vessel in addition to said beverage.

8. An apparatus for the delivery of a beverage to a vessel, said apparatus comprising a beverage nozzle for delivery of a beverage and a nucleation fluid nozzle for delivery of a nucleation fluid which nucleation fluid is adapted to be connected to a supply of the nucleation fluid.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, in which the nucleation fluid is a liquid or a gas.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 9 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, in which the liquid is water or liquid nitrogen.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, in which the water is cold water.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 10 or in Claim 11 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or in Claim 11, in which the beverage is an alcoholic beverage and said water is delivered in such quantity as to dilute the beverage to a pre-determined alcoholic strength.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, in which said pre-determined alcoholic strength is substantially 6% alcohol by volume (ABV).

14. A method as claimed in Claim 1 and as claimed in any one of Claims 7 or 9 to 13 or an apparatus as claimed in any one 8 to 13 used to perform the method of Claim 1, in which the nucleation fluid provides nucleation sites within the beverage promoting formation of ice.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the nucleation fluid is introduced into the vessel at the same time as the beverage.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the nucleation fluid is introduced into the vessel after the beverage has been delivered into the vessel.

17. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which aforesaid nucleation fluid is premixed with the beverage before the beverage is delivered to the vessel.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the nucleation fluid is introduced into the vessel separately from the beverage.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the beverage is delivered into the vessel via a beverage nozzle, and the nucleation fluid is introduced by a nozzle within the beverage nozzle or separate from the beverage nozzle.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which aforesaid nucleation fluid is introduced via an orifice plate.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or any one of Claims 9 to 14 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14, in which the nucleation fluid is introduced in a form of a fine stream.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or in Claim 21 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 or in any one of Claims 9 to 14 or in Claim 21, in which the nucleation fluid is introduced through a narrow nozzle or needle entering the vessel through a wall of the vessel.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 22 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, in which said wall has at least a portion formed of self-sealing resilient material pierced or to be pierced by said narrow nozzle or needle.

24. A method of dispensing a draught beverage, said method comprising delivering a draught beverage into a vessel and irradiating the beverage with a light source to promote nucleation within the beverage.

25. An apparatus for the delivery of a beverage to a vessel, said apparatus comprising a beverage nozzle for delivery of a beverage which beverage nozzle is adapted to be connectable to a supply of the beverage, and a light source for promoting nucleation within beverage in a said vessel when the apparatus is in use.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 24 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, in which the light source is an electrically powered light source..

27. A method as claimed in Claim 24 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, in which the light source is an electric bulb, a fluorescent light, or a laser.

28. A method as claimed in Claim 27 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 27, in which the electric bulb is an halogen bulb.

29. A method as claimed in Claim 27 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 27, in which the light source is stationary.

30. A method as claimed in Claim 27 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 27, in which the light source is movable.

31. A method as claimed in Claim 29 or in Claim 30 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 29 or in Claim 30, in which the light source irradiates substantially all of the vessel.

32. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 24 or 26 to 31 or an apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 31, in which nucleation within the beverage causes formation of nucleation sites promoting formation of ice in the beverage.

33. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 24 or 26 to 32 or an apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 32, in which nucleation within the beverage causes formation of nucleation sites within the beverage contributing to formation of a head on the beverage.

34. A method as claimed in any preceding claim to a method or an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim to an apparatus, in which the draught beverage comprises a water content.

35. A method of dispensing a draught beverage having a water content comprising introducing cooled draught beverage into a vessel, and injecting gas into the beverage so the gas bubbles provide nucleation sites whereat ice forms in the beverage.

36. A method as claimed in Claim 35, in which the injected gas at least assists in forming a head of foam on the beverage.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 35 or in Claim 36, in which the injected gas is carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen.

38. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 35 to 37, in which the injected gas is cooled prior to injection.

39. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 35 to 38, in which injection of gas is automatic.

40. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 35 to 39, in which the gas is injected through an injection nozzle which automatically becomes at least partially submerged in the beverage in the vessel during the course of dispense of the beverage.

41. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 35 to 39, in which the gas is injected through an injection nozzle which is either introduced manually into the beverage or at a time selected by a person serving the beverage.

42. A method as claimed in any preceding claim to a method or an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim to an apparatus, in which the draught beverage comprises a or the water content and/or a dissolved gas content.

43. A method of dispensing a draught beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content, said method comprising introducing cooled beverage into a vessel and subjecting said beverage to audible sound which encourages gas bubbles to appear in the beverage in the vessel and provide nucleation sites encouraging formation of ice thereat in the beverage in the vessel.

44. An apparatus for the delivery of a beverage comprising a water content and a dissolved gas content to a vessel, said apparatus comprising a nozzle for delivery of a said beverage which nozzle is adapted to be connectable to a supply of the beverage, and sound generation means which is adapted to subject said beverage when present to audible sound which encourages gas bubbles to appear in the beverage in the vessel.

45. A method as claimed in Claim 43 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 44, in which the gas bubbles assist in forming or encourage formation of a head of foam on the beverage in the vessel.

46. A method as claimed in Claim 43 or Claim 45 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 44 or Claim 45, in which loudspeaker means is arranged to direct audible sound energy towards the beverage as it issues from a dispense nozzle into the vessel.

47. A method as claimed in Claim 43 or in Claim 45 or in Claim 46 or an apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 44 to 46, in which loudspeaker means or the loudspeaker means is arranged to direct audible sound energy at the vessel.

48. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 44 to 47 used to perform the method claimed in Claim 1.

49. A method as claimed in any one preceding claim to a method or an apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim to an apparatus, in which the vessel is a drinking vessel.

50. A method as claimed in Claim 49 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 49, in which the drinking vessel is a glass.

51. A method as claimed in any one preceding claim to a method except as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13 or an apparatus as claimed in

any one preceding claim to an apparatus except as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13, in which the draught beverage is non-alcoholic or alcoholic.

52. A method as claimed in Claim 12 or in Claim 13 or in Claim 51 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 or in Claim 13 or in Claim 51, in which the alcoholic beverage is a beer or cider.

53. A method as claimed in Claim 52 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 52, in which the beer is lager.

54. A method as claimed in any one preceding claim to a method or an apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim to an apparatus, in which beverage cooling means is used to cool the beverage prior to its delivery into the vessel.

55. A method as claimed in Claim 54 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 54, in which the beverage cooling means is included in a beverage dispensing system which conveys the draught beverage from a supply thereof to a dispense tap or font.

56. A method as claimed in Claim 55 or an apparatus as claimed in Claim 55, in which the dispense tap or font is in or at a drinks bar.

57. A method of dispensing a draught beverage substantially as hereinbefore described with the reference to Figure 1, or Figure 2, or Figure 3, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

58. An apparatus for the delivery of a beverage to a vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, or Figure 2, or Figure 3, or Figure 4, or Figure 5, or Figure 6, or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

59. Beverage in a vessel having been dispensed into the vessel by a

method as claimed in any one preceding claim to a method or having been delivered into the vessel by an apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim to an apparatus.