Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a number of features providing enhanced functionality for a user, e.g., functionality beyond what might be found in traditional beverage dispensers. By way of example, an improved beverage dispenser may read data relating to contents, display information and graphics about the contents on a display panel, control and monitor dispensed fluids and so forth. A beverage dispenser instrumented in this manner may also be connected through a network to remote resources in order to augment local information and provide a rich, interactive user experience.