The so-called extra cold revolution that has taken place in draught lager could be coming the way of soft drinks if the launch by Britvic of a chilled draught cola dispense system is a success.
The soft drinks company has launched Pepsi Xtra Cold, an adaptation of beer chilling technology that allows cola to be served extra cold and with consistent taste.
The on-trade in the UK is the first in the world to get Pepsi Xtra Cold, which involves a four head bag-in-box system mounted on the bar. The syrup and water are cooled and mixed below the bar, rather than in the glass, as with traditional cola guns.
The launch follows a trial in more than 20 of Mitchells and Butlers' (M&B) Toby Carvery and Harvester pubs. Britvic is aiming to roll out Pepsi Xtra Cold to around 800 M&B pubs and around 1,200 others by the end of the year.
"This enables the consumer to experience packaged quality cola on draught for the first time in pubs," said Paul Linthwaite, Britvic director of on-premise.