The Aldi Beer Dispenser Review

TL;DR: Does this work? Yes.

** As Featured in Joe.co.uk **

Beer dispensers like the new Aldi Beer Dispenser and the Fizzics DraftPour are devices designed to enhance the experience of drinking beer by simulating the draught pour you would get at a pub or brewery... and who doesn't want that!

These devices use specialised technology to create a smooth, creamy head and improve the flavour and aroma of canned beer (and bottles too, in the case of the Fizzics machine).

The technical bit: Basically, these devices use ultrasonic vibrations to shatter large carbonation bubbles into a silky micro-foam that locks in fizz and intensifies the beer's aroma.

The Aldi Beer Dispenser is a real budget buy; at just £24.99, it is a fraction of the cost of other machines on the market (the Fizzics DraftPour is currently around £130). It’s a great price to transform your favourite canned beer into a foamed pint, just as if it were served at your local. Not bad for a battery-operated device.

It works with 330ml, 350ml, 440ml, and 500ml cans. It will accept some bottles, but the bottle needs to be less than 65mm in diameter and less than 168mm tall (thinking about it, you're probably safer just sticking to cans!).

Portability: The device is designed to be portable, making it easy to take to parties, picnics, or other gatherings. It is powered by batteries, adding to its convenience.

Design and Build: The Aldi Beer Dispenser has a sleek and modern design that fits well in any home bar setup. It does look and feel like the plastic it is made from, but it also feels durable enough to withstand regular use.

Benefits of Using a Beer Dispenser

Enhanced Flavour and Aroma: In theory, by creating a perfect head, beer dispensers release the aromatic compounds in the beer, enhancing its flavour and scent.

Consistent Quality: Dispensers provide a consistent pour every time, ensuring that each glass of beer has the right amount of foam and carbonation.

Improved Experience: The ritual of pouring a draught beer is enjoyable and adds to the overall drinking experience.

Versatility: These devices can improve various types of beer, from lagers and ales to stouts and IPAs. However, I wouldn't use one of these devices if you like light "lawnmower" beers—Coors, Budweiser, Fosters, and Carling etc.—as it can leave them feeling a bit flat and thin.

• IPAs and Pale Ales: These are all about the hops. The micro-foam "lid" acts like a megaphone for those floral, citrusy, and piney aromas.
• Stouts and Porters: Most people use these for stouts; the ultrasonic waves give them a luxurious, nitrogen-like creaminess similar to a Guinness pour.
• Ambers and Brown Ales: The process highlights the malty, caramel notes that can sometimes get buried under sharp carbonation.
• Pilsners: A tight, dense head is traditional for a pilsner; this tech helps you achieve that "slow pour" look in seconds.

Out of the Box

The Aldi Beer Dispenser is very easy to put together. Twist to open the main body to find the handle and batteries, then close it back up. The handle slips into the top, and the batteries go into a compartment at the top (again, a simple twist to open and close).

The overall impression of the dispenser is that it is fairly cheap; it looks a bit "plasticky," and it feels like it, too!

Ready to Pour?

Take a can of your chosen beer and crack it open. Twist open the main body, place the beer on the base, and put the housing over it, ensuring the tube goes inside the can. Once the body is twisted back into the locked position, you are ready to go.

Place a glass under the tap at a 45-degree angle, pull the handle forward, and watch the magic happen.

Now, I'm sure there is some clever stuff happening inside—the beer gets sucked up and deposited in the glass while the foam-creating technology reduces the large bubbles into finer ones to make the beer taste smoother.

While the Fizzics DraftPour explicitly uses ultrasonic technology to create micro-foam, the Aldi version operates on a very similar principle to achieve that creamy, long-lasting head.

Carry on pouring until the glass is 3/4 full, then push the handle backwards. This creates more foam than liquid to pour the perfect head. Keep the glass at an angle and straighten it up as you reach the top.

This technique works for most beers, but if you're pouring a stout, try using an "all foam" pour (pushing the handle back) for a richer, creamier pint.

Overall

Let’s be honest: this machine will not pour a drink exactly like you get down the pub. The beer in a can is fundamentally different from cask or keg beer, and while knocking the carbonation out makes it smoother, it isn't quite "draught."

Also, the Aldi Beer Dispenser only really handles cans. While not a dealbreaker for most, it is a limitation compared to more expensive models.

Regular cleaning is required to keep the dispenser in good working order. Ideally, you should run a sanitiser through the pipes at the end of each day (a weak Milton solution should be adequate), but it is a bit of a faff!

It's a fun novelty item, released just in time for Father's Day. If he drinks a couple of cans a week, he might get a kick out of it. As for me? I think mine might stay in the box!