A dispensing system for a wine or beer barrel comprises a float (9) adapted to float in the fluid in the vicinity of its free surface (23) within the barrel (1), and a supply pipe (5) having an input end (20) connected to the float (9) so that the input end (20) opens in the vicinity of the free surface (23) of the fluid. The supply pipe (5) has an output end (10) which extends through the wall of the barrel (1) and opens externally of the barrel (1). Thus, when the dispenser is fitted to the barrel and suitable supply pressure is applied, fluid is drawn off from the vicinity of the free surface (23) by way of the input end (20) and is supplied to a location outside the barrel (1) by way of the output end (10). By ensuring that the beer is always drawn off from the vicinity of the free surface whatever the level of beer within the barrel, such a system provides improved quality of dispensed beer and presents much less risk of the beer being clouded by sediment.