The world's biggest brewer Interbrew and electronics manufacturer Philips are currently fermenting a new, affordable system that delivers pub quality lager at home. According to Business on Sunday a machine costing under £170 will keep special 6litre lager kegs at a constant 3oC and deliver it by pump on demand. The kegs will retail at around £12.50 and the first machine is due to be launched in Belgium in mid-November.

Interbrew and Philips then plan to roll out the system worldwide in a move likely to give a fresh boost to the trend for a growing proportion of beer to be consumed at home. It's not certain, however, whether the device will be suitable for providing traditional British ales that are best served at cellar temperature in pubs.

For a long time British brewers have tried to simulate cask-condition beers in canned form by inserting what's become known as "widgets". If the new system takes off it will clearly please millions of UK lager drinkers and, hopefully, help keep them off the streets!

(c)Andrew Leech
andy@buckshouse1.demon.co.uk
Bucks House Publishing