Bzz Agent hooked me up with a $55 coupon for the Draftmark System introduced by Anheuser Busch/InBev. It covered the cost of the system, but not the $20 I had to drop for the refill. The refills only come in Budweiser, Michelob Amber Bock, Bass, Shock Top Belgian White, and Shock Top Wheat IPA. Not a fabulous selection, but I do like Bass. Unfortunately, the Albertsons I bought mine at only had Michelob and Shock Top, so we ended up getting the Shock Top IPA. For the cost, you'd think you'd get high end beers. I can't imagine Budweiser drinkers dropping this kind of money for beer.
For starters, the Albertsons we went to in Clairmont had a piss poor marketing scheme going for this project. First, the actual three boxes of the tapper system itself were just tossed on the floor next to a post. I walked past several times before I even saw them. Then the refills aren't even in the refrigerators, they are in the back and you have to ask for them, so I can't imagine anyone who wasn't specifically there to buy it would even know what to do. It's terrible marketing.
.JPG)
Once I got the system home and the battery to the tapper charged, I put it together, loaded the refill and gave it a little time to make sure the beer was settled. After about 15 minutes I poured my first glass and unfortunately ended up with a glass full of foam. I waited a few more minutes and when the foam settled, I re-poured that glass and a second and there was less foam this time.
After our toast, I have to say I was disappointed. I wasn't a fan of the taste and don't know if this was related to the beer itself or the delivery system since I hadn't tried this beer before. One thing I did note was that it seemed like it wasn't as carbonated as it should be. Two days later, it seemed even less carbonated. Overall, I'm not a fan.
1. It's expensive. I would never pay $20 for less than a 12 pack of beer unless it's excellent beer. This is not and none of the available beers are flavors I care for.
2. I think it lacks carbonation.
3. There is no dating on the refill packaging so how do you know if the beer is even fresh?
It's not that it's a bad idea. I could see instances where this would really be awesome, but it would need to have better beers and work better. I don't think I would recommend.
