Why I Chose the PerfectDraft
It wasn’t a whim, I’ll have you know. I wanted something that made hosting easier and more fun. Convenience was top of my list; the festive season is busy enough without lugging crates around or making last-minute trips to the shop. Variety mattered too; I wanted to offer guests a proper range of beers, not just a couple of generic lagers. And, of course, the atmosphere; nothing says “party” quite like a tap in the living room instead of a messy array of bottles on the table.
I also liked the idea of consistency. Nothing irritates me more than paying for a beer at home that’s flat or not quite right. The PerfectDraft promised draft-quality beer, and over a year of testing, I’ve found it delivers. You get that lovely creamy head on a stout, that refreshing chill on a lager, and the flavour stays consistent from the first pint to the last.
The Social Advantage
If you’ve ever hosted a Christmas shindig, you’ll know that beer can make or break the evening. With the PerfectDraft, guests were genuinely impressed. Pulling a pint from a tap became a bit of a novelty, and I swear it sparked more conversation than my attempts at festive small talk ever did. Everyone had a favourite style, debates rumbled over lagers versus ales, and I even caught someone pretending to be a bartender at one point.
It also takes pressure off the host. No more mid-party trips to the shop, no more awkward negotiations over who’s washing up, and no more running out of beer at the crucial moment. The tap keeps the drinks flowing and the festive cheer going strong. For a home-based host, this is priceless; you can actually enjoy your own party without constantly hovering over the drinks.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
It’s not perfect, of course. Keg size is the first hurdle; you’re limited to what fits in the machine, so for bigger gatherings, a bit of planning is required. Beer selection can be tricky too; some styles run out quicker than others, especially if you’ve got a few thirsty guests. A little foresight goes a long way.
Temperature is another minor niggle. The machine keeps beer at a crisp 3°C, ideal for lagers, but if you fancy a rich stout or a warming ale, it might be just a touch too cold. Still, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a small sacrifice for the convenience and quality you get. If you’re a stickler for serving certain styles at their optimal temperature, it’s something to bear in mind, but for the majority of festive and casual gatherings, it’s more than adequate.
Another limitation is keg availability. While the selection is getting better year on year, it’s not as simple as popping down to your local for a last-minute keg. Planning ahead is key, especially around Christmas when supplies can be a bit patchy. But with over sixty different beers and ciders available, you’re rarely stuck without options.
Tips for Entertaining with a PerfectDraft
- Pick two or three keg styles that complement each other; a lager, an IPA, and maybe a Belgian ale keeps things interesting.
- Keep spare kegs in the fridge, if space is an issue, then keep the kegs outside, covered and out of the sun, it should keep them nice and cool.
- Pre-chill your glasses; it makes a pint feel extra special and keeps the flavours spot on
- Rotate kegs if your gathering spans a couple of days; it keeps novelty high and avoids that dreaded “all out of my favourite” moment.
- Don’t forget the keg return tokens; every returned keg earns a £5 discount on the next one, saving you a few quid and making the next party easier to plan.
- Consider snacks and pairings; some of the richer ales go brilliantly with cheese boards, while crisp lagers work wonders with nuts or mince pies.
- Make a small “guest menu” of the beers available; it adds a touch of theatre and encourages guests to try something new.
A tip I’ve learned the hard way is not to underestimate how much beer a party can consume. Even though the kegs aren’t huge, pacing your pour and having a plan for swapping kegs mid-party makes life a lot easier. Nothing kills the festive vibe faster than everyone staring at an empty tap.
Comparison with Other Options
Compared to lugging crates of bottles or cans around, the PerfectDraft is a dream. Crates are bulky, noisy, and someone always ends up being the reluctant porter. Compared to a pub crawl, it keeps you cosy at home without losing the festive spirit… and saves on taxi fares.
Other home draft systems exist, of course. Some have larger capacities, others are fancier, but the PerfectDraft strikes a brilliant balance of cost, convenience, and beer quality that most competitors struggle to match. The Krups Sub, for example, is smaller and cheaper but has higher running costs; the Blade is professional-grade but comes with a hefty price tag; and systems like Klarstein need more setup and are compatible only with supermarket kegs. For me, the PerfectDraft hits the sweet spot; it’s approachable, simple, and dependable, perfect for a Yorkshire host who wants to focus on fun, not fiddly technology.
Extra Christmas Angle
With the festive season creeping up again, I can’t help but think about how useful this machine is at Christmas. Picture it; the house full of family, the tree lit, a few crackers cracked, and a PerfectDraft quietly humming away in the corner, keeping the beer at the perfect temperature. There’s no fighting over who’s making the next shop run, no frantic juggling of bottles on the table, just good beer and good company.
If you’re hosting over several days, it’s especially handy. You can stagger the kegs, have a few different styles on rotation, and keep everyone happy. It’s also a lovely way to introduce friends or family to new beers without the intimidation factor of a full pub menu. You might even convert a few people to proper craft beer lovers over a festive weekend… I’ve seen it happen!
Conclusion
For me, the PerfectDraft transformed the way we entertain. It’s more than just a machine; it’s a conversation starter, a convenience tool, and a way to keep the festive cheer flowing without constant trips to the shop; and lets be honest, everyone loves pulling their own pints, even Mrs Andys Beer Reviews did and she doesn't drink!
Christmas, birthdays, casual weekends… it fits in seamlessly and keeps the pints coming.
Just remember to plan your kegs, think about temperature preferences, and keep an eye on the clock… because nothing spoils a party quite like the final pint running dry. For anyone who enjoys beer, likes to host, and wants to avoid the hassle of constant shop runs, it’s well worth the investment.
Rating: 8.5/10
Comments
Post a Comment