Beer is the foundational revenue stream and core early-game mechanic in Proto Division's co-op tavern title, Barfender: CO-OP Bar Simulator. Players manage two main forms of beer: bottled brews stored in coolers and draft beer poured directly from keg barrels into clean glass mugs. Beyond serving paying customers at tables and bar counters, beer doubles as an in-game restorative item that patches up your bartender's health after chaotic bar fights.
Types of Beer in Barfender
When you open your venue, your initial beverage selection consists of basic bottled varieties ordered directly through your character's in-game smartphone. As you complete early tavern objectives, you expand your menu into draft beer by purchasing licenses and physical tap equipment.
| Beer Format | Varieties Available | Sourcing Method | Storage & Service Tools | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottled Beer | Bottled Lager, Bottled Amber | AMart phone app | Mini fridge, storage crates, bar counter | Individual bottle service to seated or standing patrons |
| Draft Beer | Tap Lager | Barrel License + AMart orders | Large beer barrel (keg), clean beer mugs | Fresh tap pours served in mugs |
| Self-Consumed | Any open bottled beer | Stocked bar supply | Handheld consumable behind the counter | Restoring health after taking damage in brawls |
Bottled Amber and Bottled Lager require minimal setup. You order them through the AMart application, collect the delivery box outside your front entrance, and place the bottles into your mini fridge or directly onto service counters. Tap beer requires an active draft setup, a steady supply of clean mugs, and manual pouring.
How to Unlock and Serve Tap Beer
To transition from basic bottled inventory to draft beer, you must progress past the opening cleanup shifts and purchase commercial tap rights through your phone.
- Open your smartphone interface and purchase the Barrel License once it unlocks in your progression list.
- Open the AMart delivery app to order a large beer barrel (keg) and a shipment of beer mugs.
- Retrieve the delivered equipment boxes from outside the tavern entrance and bring them behind the main service counter.
- Mount the beer barrel into an accessible tap station and position the beer mugs nearby.
- Pick up a clean mug, interact with the tap barrel to pour fresh lager until the mug is filled, and carry it to the customer.
- Open the Menu app on your phone to add tap lager to the active offerings and set your customer price within or above the optimal green profit range.
- Collect empty mugs after patrons finish drinking and transport them to the washing sink in the back room to complete the cleaning minigame before reusing them.
Running out of clean mugs halts tap sales immediately. If clean glassware is unavailable during a rush, you must quickly wash dirty mugs at the sink or purchase emergency replacements from the AMart app.
Beer Storage, Serving Trays, and Temperature Mechanics
Managing inventory flow prevents bottlenecks when large groups flood the dining room after promotional flyer campaigns.
Mini Fridge Storage and Temperature
During early shifts, the tavern comes equipped with a small mini fridge to hold bottled Amber, Lager, and soft drinks. While the appliance provides organized storage, players testing early builds observed that beer temperature does not actively penalize sales: patrons willingly consume room-temperature beer without leaving negative reviews or refusing payment.
Using Serving Trays
Carrying bottles and mugs one by one slows service and causes impatient patrons to leave or start disturbances. Equipping a bartending service tray allows staff to carry multiple beer orders, snacks like peanuts and potato chips, and empty glassware simultaneously. This keeps tables cleared and prevents drink spills from accumulating on dining surfaces.
Combat Recovery and Managing Rowdy Customers
Beer intersects directly with Barfender's combat and security systems. As shifts progress, drunk customers throw bottles, choke on drinks, pick fights, and create messes that threaten your business rating.
Healing with Booze
When tavern brawlers or mafia enforcers beat down your staff, stepping behind the bar counter and drinking directly from a beer bottle restores lost health. The in-game prompt confirms that alcohol patches up physical damage, allowing you to quickly recover and jump back into crowd control without failing the shift.
Managing Unwanted Guests with Beer
When an uninvited hobo enters the premises, normal customer ordering grinds to a halt while he works the crowd. While you can physically knock him out using fight mode or hit him with cleaning equipment, pouring him a drink provides an alternative resolution. Giving him a cheaper drink keeps him away until the following day, whereas providing more expensive drinks keeps him gone for multiple days without triggering a brawl in the dining room.
Spill Cleanup and Waste Management
Empty bottles left on tables turn sticky if neglected. Keep a mop bucket nearby to clear spilled beer and vomit instantly, and deposit empty crates and broken glass directly into the outside rubbish dumpster to maintain tavern cleanliness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does beer temperature matter in Barfender?
Gameplay tests show that beer temperature does not penalize customer satisfaction or drink payouts. While stocking bottles inside the mini fridge keeps the bar organized, patrons will drink room-temperature beer without issue.
How do you get clean mugs for draft beer?
Collect used mugs from customer tables and bring them to the back sink. Interact with the sink station to run the dishwashing minigame, which cleans the mugs so they can be restocked at the tap barrel.
How does drinking beer heal your bartender?
When your character takes damage from aggressive patrons or thugs, pick up a beer bottle behind the bar and drink directly from it. The alcohol restores your health bar so you can survive the shift.
What should you do when a customer chokes on a drink?
When a patron begins choking on their drink or snacks, approach them immediately and land a melee punch to dislodge the obstruction before they collapse.
