TRADE FEATURE

High Profit DRAUGHT BEER Draught is the freshest beer you can buy, which is why it’s in great demand. But, before you rush out and order draft machines for your tavern, you must understand the science behind draught. Spotong asks Travers Shaw, MD of DDS, some important questions that every tavern owner should know.

DDS is a specialist dispensing and refrigeration service provider to the beverage industry. The company has been servicing more than 5 000 pubs, restaurants and retail stores both locally and abroad. South African Breweries (SAB) is one of their clients.

Do you have a beer dispenser that is suitable for a particular business operation?

Every business is unique in its dispenser requirement as there isn’t a “one solution fits all” measurement. It all depends on space, volume and service offering. But, 99% of the time, there is a suitable solution.

What are the requirements for pubs or taverns to buy and install beer dispensers?

Before a dispenser can be installed, the following things need to be agreed upon: minimum volume; pricing; promotion; and a commitment to quality. The technical requirements are space for the dispenser, space for the draught font and most importantly the willingness of the owner to promote draught beer as his best offering.

Why do you think is important for pubs and restaurants to use your service?

Draught beer lines have to be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria build up. If this does not happen, then the beer will be spoilt. The last thing a pub should ever do is cut costs by not cleaning their lines properly. Apart from cleaning, DDS also offers a full callout service should anything go wrong with the draught installation. We have technicians on standby, ready and waiting, to solve the problem.

Bafana Bafana Assistant Coach Serame Letsoaka at SAB World of Beer downtown Joburg.

What are advantages of installing this equipment in taverns, particularly in the townships?

Simply, there is no better way to serve cold beer. It also offers the best profit margins for potential publicans (a person who owns a tavern or pub).

What motivated you to venture into this business?

On a personal level, it was a love of beer and people. The company itself was set up more than 17 years ago and it has gone from strength to strength — as has draught beer!

How is the market responding to your services?

DDS has spent many years building up a reputation for world class service. We are hopefully known as a company who responds quickly, efficiently and professionally.

Do clients show enthusiasm about the services that you’re offering?

Generally we receive feedback on our technicians’ job cards expressing thanks and gratitude for the service performed. And the most common feedback we usually receive is that our technicians are friendly, efficient and a pleasure to work with.

How is the dispensed beer/ beverage better than bottled ones?

Generally, it’s a fresher product that is dispensed at the right temperature and into a branded glass. You can’t beat that!

How cost effective is it for operators to use your services?

The cost of our servicing is paid for by SAB. It’s part of their offering to publicans who sell their draught beer.

How profitable could this be for traders or tavern operators?

Depending on volume and price, draught is the most profitable “pack” a publican can offer.

What other values and advantages from your services traders can enjoy?

Our response times are extremely good with regard to technical maintenance. Our technicians are highly trained and knowledgeable with regards to draught installations and the outlet could save a huge amount of headaches and time.

How user-friendly is your equipment for the staff to use?

Draught training courses are offered for barmen, publicans and other staff members. The training covers the basics of a draught installation, how to operate the system, general fault finding, etc. The courses are very informative and should put any publican’s mind at ease.

What mechanism do you use to provide technical support to operators?

We have a Call Centre where telephonic support is provided. If the problem cannot be rectified over the phone, then one of our field technicians will attend to the callout personally.

For more information you can contact Travers Shaw on 011-6084730

WE RECOMMEND...

THE EASY GOING SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC

With a delightful new screw cap that embodies the wine’s playful, fruity nature, the eminently quaffable Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2012 is an essential summer staple for many wine lovers. It’s the ideal palate friendly wine with which to entertain friends or enjoy an al fresco lunch. With a Chenin Blanc track record dating back to 1968, when Simonsig Estate’s patriarch Frans Malan released his first wine, you can be sure that this latest vintage is another winner. Revealing youthful, fresh tropical notes leading into an explosion of pears, guavas and sweet melon, the unwooded Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2012 is a must on hot summer days. Its cutting edge acidity makes it the ideal partner to fresh seafood as well as traditional breyani or even spicy Mexican tacos. The Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2012 is created in an easy, early drinking style and will reach its peak within two years of the vintage date. The wine retails from R38 per bottle and is available directly from the cellar or at leading wine outlets nationwide.

THEUNISKRAAL MOSCATO ROSÉ 2012

This brilliant rosy pink Theuniskraal Moscato Rosé 2012 has aromas of candyfloss and strawberries with a floral background.

The Muscat Ottonel and Muscat de Frontignan grapes were harvested by hand and machine, mostly from pre-dawn to early morning. The three varietals were vinified separately. The Muscat Ottonel and Muscat de Frontignan grapes received skin contact for four hours and were cold-fermented until dry for a period of 14 to 21 days. The skins of the Shiraz grapes were removed after 24-hours and fermentation was stopped when a residual sugar level was attained. None of the varietals were wooded and remained in stainless steel tanks until blending. The wine is fresh and crisp on the palate with a complexity of fruit flavours and a lingering aftertaste.

The Moscato Rosé is excellent on its own or can be served with salads, fish, poultry, pork and pasta dishes. Theuniskraal Moscato Rose is widely available from leading liquor outlets at around R45 a bottle.

LE BONHEUR’S NEW OFFERINGS

Tricorne is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and equal parts of Cabernet Franc and Shiraz, sourced from three top-performing, highlying vineyards on the farm, with fruit picked from individually selected vines. Le Bonheur Winemaker, Sakkie Kotzé, says the wine is quite different from the regular Sauvignon Blanc in the range and it’s very smooth in the mouth with rich and lingering berry spiciness. “This is not as fruit-driven and in many ways is more nuanced. It has a lot of body, is crisp and flinty but with some green and tropical flavours. It’s an excellent food wine, very distinctive and marks the long association that Le Bonheur has with Sauvignon Blanc.” Tricorne sells for approximately R200 per bottle and the vineyard-designated Sauvignon Blanc, at R75.

DU TOITSKLOOF CHENIN BLANC BOX WINE CHAMPION

The three-litre box Du Toitskloof Chenin Blanc has become a firm favourite amongst wine enthusiasts due to the wine being exactly the same as that in the 750-millilitre bottle. The wine is well balanced and medium bodied with a delicious aroma of apple, pear, pineapple and tropical fruit, ending with a pleasing, crisp finish.

Du Toitskloof Wines, situated at the entrance to the Du Toitskloof Pass with its spectacular mountain scenery, is known for its quality wine at affordable prices. Established by six wine farmers as a cooperative winery in 1962, the cellar recently celebrated its 50th year. The three-litre box Du Toitskloof Chenin Blanc is available from all leading liquor outlets for approsimately R79, whilst the 750ml bottle is sold at R32.