The SmartPour Beer Tap has become a sensation in the craft beer scene. It not only elevates the act of pouring a beer to an interactive adventure but also provides Sweetwater Brewing with invaluable data to refine their offerings and engage with customers on a deeper level. It's a testament to the fusion of innovation, craftsmanship, and a passion for the outdoors in the world of craft brewing.
Testing the prototype
Project Features:
Integrated Fly Fishing Wheel: At the heart of the SmartPour Beer Tap lies an embedded fly fishing wheel. When a patron pulls the tap, an accelerometer is triggered, setting the wheel into a rapid spin. This novel interaction engages customers and adds an element of excitement to the beer-pouring experience.
Pour Length Data to the Cloud: Beyond the thrill, the tap also serves a practical purpose. It's equipped with sensors that measure the length of each beer pour with remarkable precision. This data is then seamlessly transmitted to the cloud via a 4G signal.
User-Friendly Interface: A user-friendly interface on the tap's digital display provides real-time information about the brew, such as its origin, flavor profile, and ideal pairing suggestions. Patrons can also access their personal pour history, fostering a sense of connection with the brand.
Cloud Analytics: The pour length data collected in the cloud offers Sweetwater Brewing valuable insights into customer preferences and consumption patterns. This information helps in optimizing inventory management and tailoring promotions to individual tastes.
Sustainability Focus: Sweetwater Brewing is committed to sustainability. The SmartPour Beer Tap is designed to be eco-friendly, featuring recyclable materials and energy-efficient components.
SWEETWATER BREWING COMPANY
Guide Beer
Guides are the stewards and protectors of the natural world; they show us things and take us to places we’d never be able to experience on our own. Yet for all they do for us, they get little in terms of monetary compensation. From this insight, we came up with the creative idea: For Those Who Show Us The Way. At the center of the idea, is a large brand action: 11% of the profits from Guide Beer go to help guides who can no longer work, whether due to injury, age, or natural disaster.
Innovative Prototype Design:
The development of the SmartPour Beer Tap prototype was a remarkable journey in innovation and craftsmanship. Leveraging my expertise in both product design and engineering, I meticulously designed and fabricated a fully functional prototype that seamlessly integrated an accelerometer-triggered fly fishing wheel with the beer tap mechanism. This integration was a complex engineering feat, requiring precise calibration to ensure the wheel's spin was not only triggered by the tap but also synchronized perfectly with the beer-pouring process.
Real-World Testing at 420 Fest:
To put the prototype to the ultimate test, we showcased it at the renowned 420 Fest, an event attended by beer enthusiasts and festival-goers alike. Over the course of two exhilarating days, our SmartPour Beer Tap prototype was at the heart of the festival experience. Attendees were drawn not only to the exceptional craft brews but also to the unique and interactive pouring process.
Data-Driven Success:
During the event, our prototype performed beyond expectations. It successfully tracked and recorded over 4000 beer pours. Each interaction with the tap triggered the accelerometer, initiating the thrilling fly fishing wheel spin. Simultaneously, the tap's sensors meticulously measured and transmitted the length of each pour to the cloud via a 4G signal. This wealth of data provided invaluable insights into attendee preferences, consumption patterns, and the popularity of various brews.
Engaging and Memorable Experience:
Beyond the data, the prototype created an engaging and memorable experience for festival-goers. It wasn't just about pouring a beer; it was an adventure. The fly fishing wheel spin added an element of surprise and delight, making each pour an interactive and entertaining event in itself. Attendees left the festival not only with a taste for exceptional craft beer but also with stories of the unique beer-pouring experience.
This successful real-world trial demonstrated the potential of the SmartPour Beer Tap and laid the foundation for its continued development and eventual deployment at Sweetwater Brewing and potentially at other craft breweries, showcasing how innovation can enhance not just the product but also the overall customer experience.
