In November, Plzeňský Prazdroj, part of Asahi Europe and International, launched Smart Taproom - an innovative project that will help pubs and restaurants to become more sustainable by better measuring energy and water consumption, and adjusting the tapping technology accordingly.

Our colleagues in the Czech Republic have partnered with experts from the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC ČVUT), technology companies Microsoft, Adastra and Smart Technology to install monitoring equipment in 45 pubs. For 12 months, they will collect data on the water and energy consumption across the beer flow in the pubs, using over 1,200 sensors to monitor their operation. The data will be sent to a cloud database and analysed to make recommendations on improving the pubs' systems, in a bid to reduce energy consumption by a third. The Smart Taproom project will help pubs manage their expenses in difficult times and bring a solution that aims to reduce costs in the long term.

Plzeňský Prazdroj is already working on other technological innovations to improve taprooms, such as looking at the possibility of water recovery, reducing the amount of water used when rinsing glasses or electricity consumption for cooling. While focusing on supporting pubs and restaurants to help them reduce utility costs, we are committed to maintaining the tradition and quality of draft beer, ensuring that glass is poured to the exacting high standards the Czech Republic is known for globally.

Smart Taproom is an example of how we are bringing our purpose of creating meaningful connections to life, between industry, the hospitality sector and technology partners to help ensure pubs and restaurants remain economically viable and vibrant while reducing their overall environmental impact.

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