An apparatus for transferring a beverage from a sealed container into a storage vessel includes a needle for insertion through a stopper of the sealed container having a conduit for the flow of beverage through the needle and a pressurisation mechanism configured to pressurise the sealed container to displace the beverage through the needle and into the receiving vessel in use. The apparatus is configured so that, when the needle is inserted into the sealed container and connected to the storage vessel, the sealed container, needle and storage vessel form a closed system, allowing the beverage to be transferred from the sealed container into the storage vessel without air outside of the closed system mixing with the beverage.

A dispensing system (1) for a container (2) having a dip tube (5) and designed to hold a liquid (3), with a dispense head (4) which can be fastened to the dip tube (5). Via the dip tube (5) and the dispense head (4), the liquid (3) can be dispensed from the container (2) or liquid (3) can be supplied to the container (2). At least one ventilation opening (18) in the form of an elongated hole is provided in the dip tube (5).