Dispensing tap and methods for using the same

A dispensing tap comprising:

• a body;
• a dispensing head;
• a throat connecting the body to the dispensing head and providing a flow path from the body to the dispensing head, the throat extending perpendicular to the dispensing head,
• the dispensing head including a mouth;
• a shut off valve configured for sealing engagement with the mouth of the dispensing head, the shut off valve having a bell shape;
• a piston axially guided within said dispensing head,
• said piston having a lower end including a valve stem coupled to said shut off valve, said piston stem having an upper actuator portion including a peripheral seal, the piston being selectively actuable between an a normally closed position wherein the shut off valve is seated within the mouth, and an open position wherein the shut off valve is disengaged from the mouth;
• a spring received around said piston stem and captured between an upper loading element on said actuator portion of said piston stem and a lower loading element surrounding said mouth of said dispensing head, said spring normally biasing said piston and shut off valve to said closed position;
• and
• a vent adjacent to said actuator portion of said piston and having an opening on an interior surface of said dispensing head, said vent in communication with an interior of said body, said vent being in operable communication with said peripheral seal.