[561design]

Oh yes, something finally worth putting on the kitchen counter.

Beer is the world's oldest alcoholic beverage--people have been drinking it and sleeping with ugly people since 3500 BC, and it's probably why most of us are here--so there's not a lot of innovation going on with the actual beverage. Now Heineken, in an effort to take a bigger slice of North America's US $9 billion beer market, is innovating through packaging.

Their first step was the 4.75 liter mini-keg, which was probably around in Europe since the Dark Ages but which only made it to American shores in January. This fall Heineken bumps the mini-keg up to an even five liters and is currently testing out its BeerTender, another product available in Europe for years but only now coming to the U.S., in Rhode Island.

The idea behind the BeerTender, which is essentially a countertop cappucino machine for beer, is to create more "usage opportunities" for the mini-keg. Whereas most college students have no problem getting rid of a mini-keg in 30 minutes, it will actually keep beer fresh for 30 days, and the Rhode Island trials are aimed at people who aren't trying to get laid at Kappa Gamma Phi; adults can use the BeerTender to have draught beer in the house, one sensible glass at a time.

[Coldintake]

Do you put the entire thing in the fridge to keep it cold?

[Zephyr15]

Originally Posted by Coldintake

Do you put the entire thing in the fridge to keep it cold?

I'd imagine it has its own refrigeration unit. Otherwise, what's the point?

[ward]

the only problem is that it's full of heineken

[The flying Dutchman]

The keg is refrigerated inside to about 36 degrees F. It comes in handy to keep a second one ready in the frig.

Total beer amount is 1.2 gallon per keg.

No need to get bottles. Just a draught beer at home. It sells in Holland for about 250 usd.

In the Heineken group they have about 10 different beers on sale for this thing, incl. dark guinness style, white beers and so on.

[The flying Dutchman]

Originally Posted by ward

the only problem is that it's full of heineken

BTW, whats wrong with Heineken?? I hope you dont mean that something like Bud or Desperados is a proper beer.

[ADHD]

Ive seen the metal keg at my local grocery store but not the actual unit on the right.
anyone got a link of where to purchase in the states?

[Ray]

it doesn't taste as well from the mini-keg and the spout creates too much foam.

Bottle is the way to go.

[ADHD]

Originally Posted by Ray

it doesn't taste as well from the mini-keg and the spout creates too much foam.

Bottle is the way to go.

u obviusly dont know how to pour tap beer!

ive bought over 10 of these kegs and all but 1 worked great!

Yes that 1 did FOAM the whole keg it was horrible, we dunno what went wrong!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by ADHD

u obviusly dont know how to pour tap beer!

ive bought over 10 of these kegs and all but 1 worked great!

Yes that 1 did FOAM the whole keg it was horrible, we dunno what went wrong!

Did you notice that the taste was any different? The version I tried was far more bitter than usual.

I'll try another one.

[ward]

Originally Posted by The flying Dutchman

BTW, whats wrong with Heineken?? I hope you dont mean that something like Bud or Desperados is a proper beer.

I'm sure it's a travel time issue, heineken may be great where you are, but by the time it gets over here it's usually "skunked" or spoiled a bit

don't get me wrong, I'm not pushing for bud or some other classless beverage, I think there's a different best beer for every situation.

[ADHD]

Originally Posted by Ray

Did you notice that the taste was any different? The version I tried was far more bitter than usual.

I'll try another one.

Ya u may have had one sitting on the shelf for a bit!
We know the guy at our local liquor store and tells us when they are coming in so we get them somewhat fresh.
The one that foamed on us did taste like shit too

[Ray]

Originally Posted by ADHD

Ya u may have had one sitting on the shelf for a bit!
We know the guy at our local liquor store and tells us when they are coming in so we get them somewhat fresh.
The one that foamed on us did taste like shit too

Thanks for the tip! I hope the next one I get will have better results.

[montreal_bimmer]

i want one... tell me when and where...

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by ward

I'm sure it's a travel time issue, heineken may be great where you are, but by the time it gets over here it's usually "skunked" or spoiled a bit

don't get me wrong, I'm not pushing for bud or some other classless beverage, I think there's a different best beer for every situation.

Agreed. I've never been to Europe to taste the "real" version of Heineken or Guiness for that matter, but from the taste of Heineken it always seemed a little off, too bitter actually and Guiness is too metallic tasting prolly due to the nitrogen. I love guiness and can only dream how much better it really is across the pond but I can't stand heineken. I'll only drink it if it is the only beer offered, which is obviously a rare time.

[BiggieJ]

Originally Posted by darkcloud

Agreed. I've never been to Europe to taste the "real" version of Heineken or Guiness for that matter, but from the taste of Heineken it always seemed a little off, too bitter actually and Guiness is too metallic tasting prolly due to the nitrogen. I love guiness and can only dream how much better it really is across the pond but I can't stand heineken. I'll only drink it if it is the only beer offered, which is obviously a rare time.

you know i was never really a big fan of heineken here...but over there it just taste better. i duuno why. and after taking the tour i do appriciate heineken a bit more. plus the place is in amseterdam! had one helluva time there.

[NaTuReB0Y]

What's wrong with BUD Light?

[///Matt]

Miller Lite. Manlaw.

[SteanLV]

WOW the best beer ever!!! i hate all the others ones lol.. you gotta drink this thing cold or it would taste like crap but like after 3 bottles you wont even taste it.

[darkcloud]

Originally Posted by BiggieJ

you know i was never really a big fan of heineken here...but over there it just taste better. i duuno why. and after taking the tour i do appriciate heineken a bit more. plus the place is in amseterdam! had one helluva time there.

I hate you. I so want to go...

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

I'm sold! Where can I buy this thing