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The Philips PerfectDraft Review

I was a little bit late the the party on this one, but I bought the Philips PerfectDraft beer machine about a year ago, and I've had some beers throught it, so what do I think of it?

Phillips developed the PerfectDraft in collaboration with AB-InBev, bringing the pub experience to the home. As a beer enthusiast, I’ve extensively tested the machine and many of its kegs over the past year, trying different styles; it's worth me pointing out that I have the original version and not the more expensive and more feature rich "Pro" version.

Pros

  • Build Quality: Sturdy construction with high-quality materials.
  • Quiet Operation: It does emits a soft hum, but I would say that it's quieter than a typical fridge.
  • Keg Variety: A wide range of beers are available - from your classic lagers and beers to ciders, belgian ales, and IPAs. With over 60 beers, it does have something for everyone.
  • Ease of Use: It is very easy to use, the keg installation can look a bit fiddly at first, but it really is easy to do, and dispensing beer is as easy as pulling down the tap
  • Convenient Service: Lots of bottleshops and retail stores sell the kegs now, but I virtually always go through PerfectDraft direct, unless I've run out and I'm desperate!
  • Beer Tokens for Returns: Every time you return a keg, you get a £5 discount on your next keg, and returns are free
  • Temperature Control: Maintains kegs at a cool 3°C for up to 30 days.
  • Beer Quality: Comparable to pub draft beer, saving fridge space.
  • Beer Price: A truly cost effective solutions, beers cost from a little as about £2.10 a pint (depending on the beer you buy), up to a little ovr £3 a pint. in Wetherspoons as a comparison, you can easy pay £7 a pint, if you're lucky you can still pick up some bargains at £4 a pint, but still more expensive that the PD!

Cons

  • Temperature Adjustment: Some beers, especially stouts, could benefit from variable temperature setting, and on my basic model, it's not possible.
  • Keg Availability: More and more places are sellig the kegs, my local bottleshop does as does my local Costcutter close to work, but I do feel that they need a better retail network model to make it easier to buy.

Competitors

There are a few competing solutions out there if you fancy something different.

  • Krups Sub: Smaller capacity, less expensive, but by all accounts higher running costs.
  • Blade: Larger capacity and professional quality but a higher upfront cost.
  • Klarstein: Compatible with supermarket kegs but requires more setup and a higher upfront cost
  • Homebrew Options: The Pinter and miniBrew offer fresh brewing, with varying levels of involvement and cost.
  • Can/Bottle Beer Dispensers: OK, machines like the Fizzics might not a serious option if you are a regular beer drinker, but the lower cost and variety of what it can dispense could be a suitable alternative for occasional drinkers.

The basic machines are coming down in price as the new "Pro" system becomes more popular, these older machines can be bought frm new from about £180 brand new, or from £140 refrubished.

Conclusion

The PerfectDraft offers an excellent balance of cost, capacity, and convenience with a robust selection of quality beers. In my opinion, it's a top choice for home draft beer enthusiasts.

Rating: 8.5/10

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