Draft beer vs Bottled beer . Does it really make a Difference?

Draft Beer vs Bottled Beer — Does It Really Taste Different?

Walk into a bar and you’ll hear it all the time: “I’ll take it on draft.”But is that just habit, or does draft beer truly taste better than bottled beer?

The short answer is yes — there is a real difference. And it comes down to freshness, carbonation, storage, light exposure, and how the beer makes its way to your glass. At IMPE Bar, this is exactly why draft beer is such a big part of the experience.

🍺 Freshness Is the Biggest Factor

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Draft beer lives in a sealed keg, protected from air and light, and stored cold from delivery to pour. Once tapped, it travels through chilled lines directly into your glass.

Bottled beer, however, has usually:

• Been packaged weeks or months earlier

• Traveled through warehouses and shelves

• Experienced temperature and light changes along the way

That journey affects flavor. Draft beer often tastes brighter, crisper, and more alive because it hasn’t been sitting in glass for extended periods.

🫧 Carbonation & Mouthfeel

Draft systems use controlled CO₂ pressure (and sometimes nitrogen blends), creating:

• A smoother, creamier mouthfeel

• A balanced, velvety head

• Finer, more pleasant bubbles

Bottled beer holds the carbonation from the day it was sealed. Over time, that carbonation can feel sharper or slightly dull depending on how it was stored.

That silky texture you notice with draft beer? It’s real, and it’s by design.

🌡️ Temperature Consistency Protects Flavor

Kegs are stored in cold rooms and kept at consistent temperatures. This stability protects the beer’s intended taste.

Bottles and cans often go through temperature swings during transport and storage. These fluctuations may not be obvious, but they subtly change the beer’s flavor profile — especially for lighter beers, lagers, and IPAs.

☀️ Light Exposure Can “Skunk” Beer

Light is one of beer’s biggest enemies. Clear and green bottles allow UV light to hit the beer, which can create that unpleasant “skunky” aroma and taste. Brown bottles reduce the risk, but they don’t eliminate it.

Kegs, on the other hand, block out all light. That protection helps draft beer maintain the flavor the brewer intended.

🧼 Clean Draft Lines Make a Difference

A properly maintained draft system is key. When lines are regularly cleaned and maintained — like at IMPE Bar — the beer pours clean, crisp, and true to its style every time.

This is something bottled beer simply can’t replicate.

🍻 The Experience Factor

There’s also the experience. Watching a beer poured from the tap, seeing the head form perfectly, and getting that first cold sip straight from the draft adds to the enjoyment. Draft beer feels fresher because it is fresher.

At IMPE Bar, draft selections are chosen and handled with care so guests enjoy the best possible version of each brew.

So… Which One Tastes Better?

If you’re looking for:

• Maximum freshness

• Smooth mouthfeel

• Proper carbonation

• Protected flavor

• The best representation of the beer

Draft beer wins almost every time.

Bottled beer is convenient and reliable, but when you’re at a bar and want the beer exactly as the brewer crafted it, draft is the clear choice.

Final Pour at IMPE Bar

The next time you’re deciding between bottled or draft, remember , this isn’t just preference. There’s real science and care behind why draft beer tastes better.

So when you’re at IMPE Bar, go for the tap. Enjoy it the way beer was meant to be served: fresh, cold, and straight from the draft.