Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide improved liquid systems, as well as improved liquid system techniques. For example, a liquid system may include a liquid blending system and a liquid dispensing system that more efficiently meets the demands of consumers/users. Specifically, liquid blending and dispensing systems described herein may facilitate user blending of various liquids, accurate user identification of sensory characteristics associated with various liquid blends and liquid blend components, efficient handling of user feedback and refinement of subsequent liquid blends, etc. For instance, a liquid blending system may take user selection input and provide a liquid. The liquid system may store data describing the provided liquid in a database. Further, the liquid system may receive and analyze user input regarding the provided liquid and provide a subsequent liquid blend recipe based on the user input and the stored data describing the original blend.

Provided is a ready-to-install apparatus for dispensing carbonated beverages and/or beverages on draught that incorporates a flow sensor and a pinch valve and may be coupled to the end of a beer line (or any other tubing used for beverage dispensing) without having to be integrated within the line (i.e. eliminating the need to make multiple cuts for the valve, the flow sensor, etc.) The beverage dispensing apparatus reduces foaming by reducing the number of components that come into contact with the fluid and/or interfere with flow. For example, the beverage dispensing apparatus may utilize an external flow sensor to reduce the creation of nucleation sites where CO.sub.2 bubbles may form. In another example, a pinch valve may be used to prevent excessive foaming in place of conventional valves that must be placed proximal to the keg.

A device according to the present invention is of the post-mix type for dispensing beverages on a user's premises and mixing at least a first component (10) and a second component (20) to obtain a beverage. The device comprises a flow measuring means (100) configured to produce measurement information relating to the flow of the first component; a flow rate adjustment means (250) configured to vary the flow rate of the second component; a control means (300) configured to receive the measurement information (32) and to control the flow rate adjustment means (250) on the basis of the measurement information and a predetermined parameter; and a mixing means (400) disposed downstream of the flow rate adjustment means and configured to mix the first (12) and second (22) components.