Autovac return trays mandatory notices

This campaign is important because currently pub visitors have no idea that these devices are in use unless they peer over the bar and look for themselves.

I moved up to near Edinburgh last year and hadn't heard Autovac (return trays) until a friend had mentioned them to me. He was always a bit of a joker so I naturally thought he was pulling my leg. However, a few weeks later a complete stranger whispered in my ear "I see you are drinking the warm recycled beer then...". It took me by surprise a bit and of course when I looked behind the bar I was horrified. The bar manager went into an explanation to try and convince me it was a good thing but this just doesn't sit well with me and if people are OK with this then that's up to them.

It's often called Autovac, or return trays up here in Scotland. So far I have mainly discovered them in Edinburgh. Basically the drips that go normally go into a tray and get emptied out instead go back into the line and into the next pint. As previously described it's recycled beer and no matter how good staff training is there's an increased risk of contamination that is completely unnecessary in a modern pub.

My position is this. I'm not trying to shut pubs, on the contrary, as a good friend said "There are good pubs in Edinburgh that could be a lot better". I'd like to see Autovac gone, but at the very least I'd like to see customers made aware they are in use. I had no idea and most people are surprised to hear they exist. With the exception of the tall fonts, the only way of knowing is to reach over the bar and have a look.

Mandatory notification is the way forward I think and then customers can decide for themselves whether or not they are happy with the use of these devices.

I would be grateful if this could also be shared on Twitter. Thanks.