'I brought the pub home with the Perfect Draft dispenser and put the name to the test'
We might not be there just yet but that doesn't mean you can't dream about the end of the week and a two-day reprieve from the 9-5 grind. Amen.
Now, whether you’re planning on getting out with the family or meeting up with a few mates, the chances are you’ll end up enjoying a cold one at some point.
But why should the fun stop when you leave the pub?
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There’s been a lot made of beer dispensers in recent years, so I decided to take a top of the range model out for a test drive to see what all the fuss was about.
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Could the Perfect Draft Pro be just what beer lovers have been waiting for or another passing fad?
How does the Perfect Draft work?
For the uninitiated among you, it works a bit like a typical draft beer pump you get in the local boozer.
The machine and kegs come separately, so you can choose your preferred tipple - as it's my first time, I went for the classic, Stella.
The dispenser itself is basically a big fridge, which opens up at the front and has a yellow and grey attachment - which forms the front of the machine - inside.
Once you've clipped the keg in place, the hose is then fed through to the handle, with the tube poking out slightly at the bottom.
It's then closed it up, plugged into a socket and that's when the cooling process begins. Now, it should be pointed out that it takes around 10 hours for the keg to reach the proper temperature - which varies from beer to beer - so if you're buying one for a party or whatever, make sure you give yourself plenty of time. No one wants a warm pint.
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If you download the app, though, you can link it to your Perfect Draft and control the temperature from afar, even making the most of the 'Rapid Cooling' option, which promises to chill your keg 30 percent quicker thank the standard mode.
After it's been fitted, the keg can be stored inside for up to 30 days and keeps the good stuff at a cool temperature, ready for your next visit.
A nifty little design feature on the front also means you can tell how many pints you’ve got left at any point, so you can make sure you’re always stocked up.
Key details
Size: H: 44.5cm, W: 29.4cm, D: 40.1cm
Shelf life: 30 days beer freshness
Beer variety: Over 40 different beers and ciders are available, including Stella, San Miguel, Mahou, Camden Hells/Pale, Budweiser, Proper Job IPA, Hawkstone, Leffe, and Kopperberg. There are also alcohol-free selections from Stella and Corona.
Price of kegs: Cost of each keg ranges from £26.95 for Stella (alcohol free) to £44.55 for Kwak and Tripel Karmeliet.
How many pints per keg: Each barrel contains 6 litres of beer and provides around 10 pints.
Controlled through the app.
Verdict
They say a bad workman always blames their tools, but while my pouring technique could do with more than a little work, it’s hard to find any complaints with this beast.
Sure it’s not quite the same as sitting in the pub with your mates and putting the world to rights, but very few things in life are.
What it does mean, though, is that every now and again you can create that tiny slice of heaven in the comfort of your very own home, without having to fork out the best part of a tenner every round.
A 6 litre keg of Stella, for example, works out at just £2.76 per pint, something I’ve not seen since my uni days, many, many moons ago.
And while that thought might give me cause for some serious existential dread, you can’t argue with those prices.
So get your mates round and enjoy the last dregs of semi-decent weather with a few jars and maybe even a BBQ... if the weather holds out.
Topics: Food And Drink
Dominic Smithers