March 3, 2008 1:22 AM PST

Your own private kegger for St. Paddy's Day

by Mike Yamamoto
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(Credit: Heineken)

So much for our trend-spotting skills. We thought for sure that, where beer dispensing is concerned, the next big thing would be built-in taps, whether they be for the fridge or the game console. Instead, what seems to be taking hold is the portable version, we assume for reasons of practicality.

Case in point (so to speak): The Heineken "BeerTender," which Gizmodo says it wrote about nearly four years ago, at long last is arriving on U.S. shores. The attractive dispenser accommodates a 5-liter mini-keg, though the long delay means it'll face some stiff competition. Even so, it's timing is still good--just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

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An Alternative Draught Option
by eypatroller March 3, 2008 7:55 AM PST
I've had a chance to actually use the Krups machine the Heineken beertender is based off of. Though fantastic for the price it still generates similar compressor and pressure-release noises that evidently plague the Carlsberg DraughtMaster II. It could have been because of an early demonstrator, but it's tough to tell.

http://gearpatrol.com/blog/2008/01/28/carlsberg-draughtmaster-ii

I think there's simply a limitation of having a pressure-based draught pump in such a small machine.

That said, I'm still looking past that in the spirit of having a keg tapped somewhat stylishly in the comforts of my own home. That alone is worth the "noise" of entry.
Reply to this comment
An Alternative Draught Option
by eypatroller March 3, 2008 7:55 AM PST
I've had a chance to actually use the Krups machine the Heineken beertender is based off of. Though fantastic for the price it still generates similar compressor and pressure-release noises that evidently plague the Carlsberg DraughtMaster II. It could have been because of an early demonstrator, but it's tough to tell.

http://gearpatrol.com/blog/2008/01/28/carlsberg-draughtmaster-ii

I think there's simply a limitation of having a pressure-based draught pump in such a small machine.

That said, I'm still looking past that in the spirit of having a keg tapped somewhat stylishly in the comforts of my own home. That alone is worth the "noise" of entry.
Reply to this comment
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