KRUPS and HEINEKEN B100 BeerTender with Heineken Draught Keg Technology,Black, 17.91 cu.ft.

WE HAD AN ORIGINAL $300+ KRUPS BEER TENDER. AFTER 3 YEARS IT DIED. I TOOK A CHANCE ON THIS LESS EXPENSIVE MODEL AND, WOW, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. IT HAS THE SAME CHILLING UNIT AS THE EXPENSIVE MODEL, IS EASIER TO LOAD AND WORKS GREAT. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THE HIGH PRICED ONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE ONLY GOOD FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS. THIS MODEL DOESN'T HAVE A GAUGE TO TELL YOU HOW FULL THE KEG IS, BUT THE ONE ON THE MORE EXPENSIVE BROTHER DOESN'T WORK WORTH A DARN ANYWAY. WE LIVE IN HOT OKLAHOMA, BUT THIS BEAST KEEPS THE BEER GOOD AND COLD. JUST REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR NEXT KEG IN THE FRIDGE. THEN WHEN YOU CHANGE OUT KEGS, YOUR READY TO ENJOY WITHOUT ANY DELAY.

This has been a nice addition to our entertaining and I would recommend it to everyone. The types of mini-kegs that work with this unit are Heineken/Heineken light and Newcastle. I buy mine from my local store and they come in two packs. If you ask them to keep them chilled for you, and even though the temperature light on the unit is not lit, the beer is nice and cold. From the cooler at the store, it takes about 6 hours for the light to go on, but don't worry about that. The tubes are cheap so nobody should be complaining about a new one each keg. I actually like that sanitation aspect of it, fresh tube with fresh keg.

I have so far had 3 beertenders over the past 5 years. All are dead at this point. The last one was this latest model.The unit failed after 4 months. The thermostat went bad and froze the beer keg.(ruining the beer, unfortunately) The unit was sent back to Krups and Viola! 12 weeks later, it was returned to me in working order. Must have done something really magical for the 3 months it was at the service center.I get the unit back, and it lasts all of 9 weeks and KaBOOM! The unit fails as before. I call Krups and complain that I don't want it gone for another 12 weeks and they could not care less.So finally, they tell me that they "never" see failure of this unit.LOL>The internet is filled with these beertenders failing.So, I asked if they would repair the other 2 as well, and they declined.Now, it is on it's way back to the 12 week center for another overhaul.It is a shame, since it is a great idea, and a cool product.But, it needs to be reliable.

For the price, this is a good unit. Draft beer tastes better than bottled. If I had my druthers, I would buy a unit that takes all the other mini kegs, but those units are much more expensive and are more complicated, draw more electricity, and require additional carbonation cartridges. This unit is simple, inexpensive, and if you don't mind the taste of Heineken or Newcastle, it's an excellent value.It's a big hit at parties. Friends coming over just love it.Cons:The minikegs are hard to find, and the local bevmo only stocks the Heineken, not the light or the Newcastle. And those are the only mini kegs compatible with this unit (they are pre-carbonated, so you don't need an additional C02 canister). There are vague references to youtube videos about conversion kits that let you use other kegs or home brew, but that seems like a lot of work. if you only drink Pliny the Elder or if you are some other kind of beer snob, this isn't the unit for you.The beertender tubes are labeled for single use, and cannot be re-used. You also have to throw away the taps that already come with the minikegs, or do you? Has anyone successfully used those taps or modified them for use in the beertender?The beertender tubes seem longer than they need to be, and you sort of need to bend them around to make them fit. This is puzzling to me. If you know there are exactly "x" inches from the center of the keg to the tap, why not make the proprietary tubes that same length? Is there some danger of high pressure leading to excessive foam if there was less resistance in the tube? There are no pictures showing the proper placement of the beertender tubes, so I'm not sure if I am putting them in right. The Beertender closes, the beer comes out fine, so I guess it doesn't really matter, but it would just be easier if you didn't have to rotate around the keg and the tube to get it to fit correctly into the tap channel.The beertender tubes only come with a Heineken label. Party foul! What if I want one that says Newcastle? Too bad.I have been unable to find anyone who will take back the mini kegs for recycling. Not the recycler stations, and not Bevmo. I challenge you, Krups and Heineken and Newcastle to come up with a greener option. Your vendors selling the kegs should be required to take them back. You should be able to recycle and reuse the kegs and the beer tubes. For now, my solution is just to give them to the city in my recycle bin, and pray that they know what to do with them.

I have bought 3 of the Beer Tenders for gifts. I think they are required for anyone who loves beer. Let me start off that my major gripe is that you only can use with Heinkein of Newcastle and as a true beer lover I would love to see a greater selections which would include micro brews like Stone or Laguinatas. However nothing is better than draft beer and I will gladly drink Heinkein. It takes about 24 hours for the beer to get chilly enough to drink in the Beer Tender and the first beer is a little foamy but after that every pour is perfect and cold. As a tip keep a glass in your freezer and it will add to the enjoyment and cut down on the foam. Every 5 liters will need a new straw so make sure you order extra. The beertender is somewhat bulky and does need some clearance room to put and take out the keg. All in all after 6 months and 7 kegs later the Beertender still works great. As I said I am giving these out as Christmas gifts so I really do support the product.