1. Quick list
2. Our top choice
3. Best for portability
4. Best for variety
5. Best design
6. Best for versatility
7. Best for durability
8. Buying advice
Rather than plonk a couple of cans or bottles to stick in the fridge last summer, I found myself using my home beer dispenser more and more. Not only has it been convenient for grabbing a small pour while making dinner, but with friends and family round on the brighter days, it received regular use and even became something of a talking point as we stayed cool while chomping down pizza.
But what exactly are home beer dispensers and are they difficult to set up? Simply put, they're devices that let you pour a pint of draught beer at home, and most of them are very easy to set up on your kitchen worktop.
They became incredibly popular during lockdown when people couldn't get to the pub, with some of the bigger-named products selling out pretty fast. But their popularity has remained intact, so I thought I'd pick out a variety of the shapes, sizes and styles available and tell you a bit more about them.
Paul has spent the last eight years testing and writing about record players and audio technology for Louder, T3 and TechRadar. As an avid music fan Paul puts turntables through their paces by playing some of his favourite vinyl by artists including Weyes Blood and Nirvana on the kit to see how they hold up. If it's got a good melody, he's on board with it.
Quick list
Our top choice is the Philips PerfectDraft - a mains-powered dispenser which takes 6 litre kegs. The PerfectDraft kegs are available online - and there's a huge variety. We both think lagers work best as the PerfectDraft automatically takes the keg temp down to 3 degrees - a bit too chilled for some beers.
This 3.8-litre capacity is portable, making it an ideal choice if you're taking the party outdoors. It'll keep your beer or cider cool all day long and it's a robust bit of beer-tech. The only thing that lets it down is that it doesn't come with gas cartridges, so you'll have to grab your own.
The Fizzics DraftPour is portable too but doesn't need gas canisters - just a couple of batteries to get things flowing. Just pop a bottle or can in, tilt and pour. It uses the company's Micro-Foam Technology so you get a cracking pour. Best of all, you can mix and match all your favourite brewskis.
If the Philips PerfectDraft doesn't tickle your tastebuds, then this beer dispenser might be for you. The Beerwulf SUB Compact by Krups is a mains-powered beast and has a 2 litre capacity. It'll keep beer fresh up to 15 days, but is only compatible with Krups' SUB Kegs.
The Klarstein Skal Beer Dispenser is another 5 litre, mains powered option which comes with 3 CO2 cartridges. It has six temperature settings and also works with a variety of 5 litre kegs making this a versatile option for your kitchen. Bear in mind that extra CO2 carts will cost extra.
This portable, 5 litre capacity home beer dispenser is made from stainless steel and is another great option if you're in the market for a growler-style option. It has two pressure settings and can be disassembled for proper cleaning. Maybe not one for beginners, but it's still a solid dispenser.
Our top choice
Even without my beer goggles on, I can see the Philips PerfectDraft HD3720/26 is a beautiful machine, with its black and chrome, stainless-steel finish bringing a real sense of class to the kitchen or utility room. And the beer it dispenses is pretty fantastic, too, and the machine's LCD display indicates when it's at just the right temperature for drinking.
Six-litre kegs can be easily swapped in and out via the front-opening cabinet, and your favourite brew will stay fresh for up to 30 days inside the device. Your PerfectDraft keg will be chilled and kept at 3 degrees, and I've found this is perfect for lagers and IPAs. Some kegs of stout are also available, but the mandatory 3 degrees is perhaps a touch too cold. Pour in advance if that's your preferred style.
Bear in mind that the Philips PerfectDraft isn't portable, so if you're on the hunt for a machine to take out into the garden or to a friend's house, this won't be for you.
It's also worth noting that you can buy kegs from www.perfectdraft.com - the site has recently changed its name from Beer Hawk.
Best for portability
If you're planning a trip to the beach this summer, then you don't really want to be shelling out for expensive pints of beer in a tourist trap. But what's the alternative? Well, you could always take a GrowlerWerks uKeg Go 128 with you. Boasting double-wall stainless-steel vacuum insulation, this canister can keep up to 3.8 litres of beer cool all day long, and optimally carbonated for weeks at a time.
Its three-position dispenser tap means that you can pour drinks for your friends without having to turn the whole thing round, while its durable, powder-coated finish offers robust protection from dents and scratches. Even if you're just spending time in the garden and don't want to make repeated trips to the kitchen for top-ups, the GrowlerWerks uKeg Go is an ideal choice.
Best for variety
Available in four fancy finishes (Carbon, Ice, Pub or Copper), the Fizzics DraftPour relies upon something called Micro-Foam Technology to provide what the company describes as “the perfect pour”. Simply insert a bottle or can of carbonated ale into the device, tilt the lever and you'll be treated to a bevy that's truly smooth and flavoursome.
While this sleek dispenser would grace any kitchen work surface, its light weight and ability to run on battery power enable you to carry it from one place to the next – meaning you're guaranteed ravishing refreshment wherever you go. A perfect travelling companion for the summer months.
Best design
With its distinctive horizontal design, The SUB Compact will appeal to those who like to stand out from the crowd. It's sure to be a hit with people who enjoy a nice pint, too, since it keeps beer at the optimal temperature and freshness for up to 15 days at a time.
This Beerwulf-endorsed dispenser only works with Krups' SUB Kegs, and seeing as they're only two litres, you'll probably find yourself changing them more often than you'd like. However, with loads of top beer brands represented, I'm pretty sure you'll find something that tempts your palate.
Best for versatility
If you've been shopping around for a home beer dispenser, then you'll have doubtless come across Klarstein. The German company is one of the more prominent names in this particular market due to the fact its devices are stylish and feature-packed without costing a mint. Sleek and shiny, the Skal features six cooling temperatures – selectable via the machine's LCD display – to ensure your beer will be poured exactly as you like it.
The Skal isn't a portable dispenser, but on the flip side it does accept five-litre kegs, meaning it'll keep the beer flowing, and the party going.
Best for durability
Another growler-style home beer dispenser, the Triplej Mini 304 is a stout and sturdy customer that's able to hold up to five litres of beer at high pressure, meaning you'll be guaranteed fizzy refreshment as and when you need it. Simply pull the lever and the pressure will automatically release at 35 or 70psi, depending on which valve you have fitted.
A carry handle makes it easy to take the growler with you on festival and camping trips, and since the unit is cloaked in a black powder finish, you needn't worry about it getting scraped or scratched on your adventures.
Buying advice
Choosing the best home beer dispenser for you
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We know you're gasping for a pint, but there are a few things you need to consider before buying your first home beer dispenser. First, what's your tipple of choice? Most dispensers are designed to serve beer or cider cool and carbonated, so if you're a fan of flat real ale served at room temperature, these might not be your main choice.
If you do love a chilled, fizzy pint, then you'll find that almost all dispensers work with a wide range of beer types and brands, which can be swapped in and out at your leisure. Some sites, such as the newly-branded PerfectDraft.com (formerly Beer Hawk) offer Beer Tokens when you return your empty kegs. Those can then either be put towards money off your next keg purchase, or saved up in your account for a later date.
Portable or mains powered?
Another consideration is where you're planning to use your dispenser. If you want something that'll sit on the patio table while you're having a barbecue, or one you can stuff in your rucksack for a camping trip or festival, then a mains-powered dispenser is obviously not going to cut it. Instead, look out for a portable device that can be run on batteries, or requires no power at all.
How much beer do you want to drink?
Then there's the question of how much beer you require. If you're hosting a garden party for 20 people – and you don't want to have to keep changing the keg every half hour – then it makes sense to buy something that can hold a large amount of ale. Floor-standing and integrated units tend to have the biggest capacity, but they also take up a lot of room – not to mention a large chunk out of your bank balance. Some websites also offer multi-keg purchases with a nice discount. Perfect if you're planning on hosting a summer bash.
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