Coors Light has unveiled a smart beer tap that monitors activity on social media and broadcast channels in real time.

The tap was developed in response to a recent advertisement by Bud Light that was claimed to spread negativity about Coors Light.

To be installed at a range of bars across the US, the tap will offer free beer when it detects negative comments on Bud Light’s social media channels. The freebie will be offered during promotional periods.

"We believe people just want to move on."

Beginning from 22 March, the smart beer tap will be found at various locations in New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Omaha and Las Vegas.

The Coors Family brand marketing vice-president Ryan Reis said: “Bud Light has been attacking us out of frustration for weeks now.

“We believe people just want to move on. So we invented this smart beer tap that does the listening for them, and even better, turns Bud Light’s negativity into rounds of Coors Light on us.”

Founded by Adolph Coors in 1873, Coors set up a brewery in the Clear Creek Valley in Golden, Colorado. In 1978, the company introduced Coors Light, which is now reported to be the second-best-selling beer in the US.

The brewery’s original Coors Banquet beer is still brewed using Rocky Mountain water and high-country barley.