Thursday, May 16, 2013

Review: Draftmark Tap System - Fresh Draught Beer at Home

Click me to get to DRAFTMARK.COM
A_TiffyFit's Review
Ever notice how draught beer at a bar/pub tastes much better than that same brand at home in a can/bottle? It's probably in the packaging, don't you think? I, for one, cannot stand beer in a can. I prefer bottled. Well...I did. Now, I have this Draftmark thing and enjoying it this way!

Disclaimer Repeat: I'm a BzzAgent (named Algaliarept, yes, I used Kim Harrison's demon as my bzzagent name. I love Big Al, so shoot me) and was offered a chance to try the tap system for free. BzzAgent and Draftmark sent me the system and I went out and hunted down refills.

My first note of advice to you: Check your local liquor stores. We went by the store locator and had to drive three towns over. Then I went to my grocery store's alcohol center and they had a display of Draftmark and the beers! WOO! (I'm in metro-west Massachusetts, FYI. Go to Wegman's!)

My dad and my brother are more beer aficionados than I am. I just know what I tend to order and like: Sam Adams Light, Caffrey's Irish Ale (which you can no longer get in the US, dammit), Killian's Irish Red, Sam Adam Cherrywheat, Summerwheat. Are you seeing a theme?

But like most people, I enjoy a good tasting beer with friends, with food, with barbeques, etc., so I was really excited to try this thing out. Cold, draught beer at home without having a bar! One refill is about 11 12 ounce servings with a lot less waste and I can have a small glass instead of a tall, if that's what I prefer!

So far, I've tried Shock Top's Belgian White (nice, citrusy ale!), Budweiser (not for me, but others enjoy it), and now the Goose Island Honker's Ale (my favorite so far!). Refilling the machine is easy. Taking it out is easy. Charging the battery is easy. If you aren't a big drinker, but still want a fresh beer, this thing is fresh in the fridge for 30 days!

I like it a lot and would totally recommend it to anyone who enjoys beer!


What do the refills look like?
I made my first ever youtube video to show you! This is an empty, I should have recorded us refilling the actual system, but hindsight blah blah. Sorry, I was too eager to get to the Goose Island Honker's Ale. Budweiser is not my thing, although others enjoyed it! 




Want to see me not get a good pull? Haha
I always have a little too much foam or head on my beer. It does settle into the perfect amount, but it never fails that I keep messing it up with a little too much! Here's my vid...and yes, I know, my fridge is pathetically empty. NEED TO GO SHOPPING! 




Draftmark's Advice, which I need more practice on is:

THE PERFECTLY POURED DRAUGHT BEER

Sure, the perfect pour takes a skilled hand, but it’s actually much easier than it looks — follow these simple steps and pour like a pro every time:
  • Hold the glass at a 60 degree angle
  • The spout should begin about one inch from the inside of the beer glass, and shouldn’t touch the glass or beer
  • If beer in the glass touches the spout while pouring, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth
  • Pull the tap open completely in one smooth, quick motion (this keeps Draftmark from pouring foamy)
  • Tilt the glass to straight as it fills
  • Close the tap in one smooth, quick motion to prevent excess foam

Beers Offered:

Directly pulling from the draftmark.com website, the beers offered for this at home system are -
Budweiser : A crisp, refreshing lager
Michelob Amberbock : A crisp, refreshing lager
Shock Top Belgian White: A Belgian-style unfiltered wheat ale
Shock Top Wheat IPA : A refreshing wheat beer combined with a crisp IPA
Bass : An English pale ale

But, I also picked up Goose Island Honker's Ale, and I'm sure more are to come! (I keep sending them emails to add a cider! COME ON! A CIDER!)

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Hi, everyone!

I'm Tiffany aka a_tiffyfit! I have a book review blog, which may have directed you here. A_TiffyFit's Reading Corner! I would like that to remain solely about books and book blog tours, etc. 

I created this page because I'm also a BzzAgent and a new Influenster! I thought a separate page with the product reviews of stuff I get to try should be here. So stay tuned, thanks for coming, and if you have any questions, please ask!