BeerTender is a beer tapping system for use at home, developed by Heineken and electronics company Krups combining a very small home tapping installation with readily bought small beer kegs.

Contents 1 BeerTender technology 2 Where and what 3 Rivalry with InBev and Philips 4 External links

[edit] BeerTender technology

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The BeerTender uses small lightweight 5 liter kegs. These kegs are bought at stores or supermarkets. The kegs are made of aluminum with plastic handles and contain a pouch containing the beer. The BeerTender cools the beer inside the kegs from outside the metallic bag. Kegs are preferably cooled before use but can be used uncooled, although the kegs will take quite a bit of time to cool down and be ready for use.

The BeerTender utilizes an internal CO2 cartridge (no replacement cartridges required )and puts external pressure on the bag of beer, effectively pushing the beer out of the bag when the tap is opened. Kegs are returned to the shops and collected by the breweries and refitted with new bags of beer. A single use plastic tube delivers the beer from the keg to the draught spout.

There are currently two BeerTender models: The B95 features an adjustable temperature control (36, 39, 42 degree F) and separate current temperature readout, a 30 day countdown freshness calendar and a volume indicator (using an internal weight scale) all illustrated in a backlit LCD display panel. The B90 features a temperature ready light and a volume indicator.

Heineken claims the unit is safe and easy to use in a home environment. The kegs last up to 4 weeks in the BeerTender. The tubing must be replaced after every keg; these are available on their online store at the price of $11 for 10 tubes.

Installing the mini-keg in the Beertender is slightly different than installing the single use spout that comes with the mini-keg, primarily because the length of the Beertender tubes are slightly longer than they need to be. The BeerTender instructions do not note this, however a simple diagram appears below.

[edit] Where and what

The beers which are found in beertender kegs are from the Heineken Group and are currently found in seven countries namely The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, France, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and the United States. Brands:

In the Netherlands:

• Affligem abbey beer
• Amstel (Amstel pilsener, Amstel 1870, Amstel Bock)
• Brand (Brand pilsener, Brand Urtyp)
• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)
• Murphy's Irish Red
• Wieckse Witte

In Austria

• Gösser beer
• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)
• Zipfer beer
• Puntigamer
• Edelweiss[1]

In Switzerland

• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)
• Calanda (Calanda Lager)
• Gösser beer

In France

• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)
• Pelforth Blonde

In Hungary

• Gösser beer
• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)

In Bulgaria

• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)

In Greece

• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)

In the United States

• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)
• Heineken Premium Light
• Newcastle Brown Ale

In Spain

• Heineken (Heineken Pilsener)

[edit] Rivalry with InBev and Philips

Heineken started out working with Philips on developing the device, but this company pulled out of the project even before its introduction. Heineken subsequently joined up with Krups. After the success of the BeerTender, Philips reentered the market, with a similar product called PerfectDraft, which was done in cooperation with Interbrew. Heineken accused Philips of copying the BeerTender and sued Philips, but Heineken lost the case in December 2005.

[edit] External links

• http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/kegerators/mini_kegerators/B95+BeerTender.shtml
• http://www.beertender.com/