(57) A tap for pressurised casks and bottles is shown which has a body portion with an outlet. A valve element controls the outlet and co-operates with the body so that at least one double seal (12, 14) is formed at the valve seat when the valve element is positioned to close a tap. The body of the tap comprises a chamber (6) with one end of which is the outlet (4) and at the other end of which an expansion chamber is attached. The smaller end (22) of the expansion chamber is aligned and connected to a small bore tube (24) for insertion into the bottle or cask. The arrangement is such that there are no discontinuities in the flow both from the tube to the outlet of the chamber. The tap is capable of withstanding the pressure in the container, maintaining a liquid in the container at an acceptable carbonation level and dispensing the liquid without an unacceptable amount of froth being produced.