Folks, I just tried this Heineken mini-keg thing and am EXTREMELY dissatisfied.

Now, having been in Europe many times and lived there twice, I understand European thought (a really TINY amount), but I am AMERICAN. When I want beer, I want BEER, not foam!

Why did I have to fight foam to get to my beer? This is NOT acceptable!

When I lived in the UK and also lived in Sweden, I did NOT have this issue! They actually understand that when we have a glass, we want BEER, not foam!

FIX IT!

Sound like an unhappy customer? I know better than to read too much into this, as should every reader; but I am just venting a bit.....

Hershal,

National customs. When beer is served (draft beer) in Holland, Belgium, Germany, it must have "two fingers' of foam (it's called "a head"). Serve beer without foam, the beer is considered "flat" and the bar tender or whomever serves the beer will get it back. I don't drink, but I remember this from my way back "beer drinking" days... :D

What you should do is go to a pub in a rough area of Dublin, and angrily demand that those thieves fill up your pint of Guinness properly! You don't want any of that white crap on top!


:lmao:

Hershal,

National customs. When beer is served (draft beer) in Holland, Belgium, Germany, it must have "two fingers' of foam (it's called "a head"). Serve beer without foam, the beer is considered "flat" and the bar tender or whomever serves the beer will get it back. ..............................

Being a former British Colony, that's how we like our beer also. For those with mustache, your mustache should enjoy the foam also. :lol: :lol:

Seriously, this is a customer complaint. Either the product is new in the market or the marketing people had not done a good job of education. The product should be aimed at the segment who loves foam and the message must be clear - and an alternative product (no foam) offered.

Canned 'drafts' often come with special mechanisms that help generate that 'head' and at a price.

What you should do is go to a pub in a rough area of Dublin, and angrily demand that those thieves fill up your pint of Guinness properly! You don't want any of that white crap on top!


:lmao:

Like I said...different customs. Hard to argue about those.

Stijloor.

Folks, I just tried this Heineken mini-keg thing and am EXTREMELY dissatisfied.

Now, having been in Europe many times and lived there twice, I understand European thought (a really TINY amount), but I am AMERICAN. When I want beer, I want BEER, not foam!

Why did I have to fight foam to get to my beer? This is NOT acceptable!

When I lived in the UK and also lived in Sweden, I did NOT have this issue! They actually understand that when we have a glass, we want BEER, not foam!

FIX IT!

Sound like an unhappy customer? I know better than to read too much into this, as should every reader; but I am just venting a bit.....

That is strange. I am Dutch myself. A good friend of mine has one of those mini kegs and we never have that problem when we drink from the little keg.

1) the beer is at the right temperature (most americans drink it too cold!!!)
2) use a small glass (2 or 3 dl)
3) tilt the glass and hold it close to the spout while filling it
4) when the glass gets fuller, move the glass to a vertical position so that the beer does not spill (which is a waste).
5) We always have a nice two fingers thick foam at the top.
6) Enjoy.

Hershal,

National customs. When beer is served (draft beer) in Holland, Belgium, Germany, it must have "two fingers' of foam (it's called "a head"). Serve beer without foam, the beer is considered "flat" and the bar tender or whomever serves the beer will get it back. I don't drink, but I remember this from my way back "beer drinking" days... :D

I think Hershal is complaining about getting glassfuls of foam and no beer.

Did you get the little stick to scrape away the foam while you were filling the glass? You have to go through that ritual.............otherwise it's not a Heineken.....:lmao::lmao:

I think Hershal is complaining about getting glassfuls of foam and no beer.

I think the newest environmental laws are geared towards outlawing or taxing carbonation (due to its footprint), so this problem should go away soon. :lmao:

They changed the law in the UK a few years back, requiring pubs to top up your glass if you thought there was too much head. That lead to a backlash from people who weren't getting enough head (oo-er, vicar!), and the industry ended up just making bigger glasses.

Or something like that, anyway.

Did you get the little stick to scrape away the foam while you were filling the glass? You have to go through that ritual.............otherwise it's not a Heineken.....:lmao::lmao:

I am sure you've seen this ritual! ;)

The pictures speak for themselves (http://passie.horeca.nl/fav/Tappen%20van%20bier.pdf).

Stijloor.

Friends,

Where are our Belgian friends! Please chime in guys!! Our (West European) beer reputation is at stake here... :D

Stijloor.

I am sure you've seen this ritual! ;)


Awesome! Work instructions with visuals! Who says anyone can do this stuff? :biglaugh:

I am sure you've seen this ritual! ;)

The pictures speak for themselves (http://passie.horeca.nl/fav/Tappen%20van%20bier.pdf).

Stijloor.

Yeah, many, many, many times..........

Interesting pictures, but too much foam at the top.....anyone getting that should receive a discounted price.

I did tilt the glass and do everything that reduces or eliminates foam when I have a pony keg, but still had to use a spoon to get foam out 3-4 times to get a glass.

A learning experience for me.

Interesting pictures, but too much foam at the top.....anyone getting that should receive a discounted price.

I did tilt the glass and do everything that reduces or eliminates foam when I have a pony keg, but still had to use a spoon to get foam out 3-4 times to get a glass.

A learning experience for me.

Yes! Lesson learned? Foam belongs on a good glass of beer.
BTW, that's Heineken's Poka Yoke :lol:

Stijloor.

Simple, drink American...Budweiser:uhoh: My mistake, Bud is a European beer now (Belgian)

Drink Canadian...

That old Budweiser chestnut, eh? :notme:

Budweiser Bier Bürgerbräu, founded 1795 by German-speaking citizens of Budweis, which began exporting Budweiser Bier to the US in 1875. The company was expropriated by the communists in 1945, they changed the name of the company, but the company reacquired the old naming rights in the 1990s after the fall of communism

Simple, drink American...Budweiser:uhoh: My mistake, Bud is a European beer now (Belgian)

Drink Canadian...

Budweiser is made in the Czech Republic. The Robert Bosch group have an automotive component plant right behind which I was supposed to visit but kept getting lost trying to find.

The true efficient Homer-esque way to handle such a minikeg without issues of too much foam would be to drink straight from the keg (eliminating the foam element all together). This may mean holding it above your head or you laying on the floor (either is acceptable). If a friend is required to assist, ensure you have 2 minikegs (1 each) and consumption of one follows the other immediately (to avoid spillage through alcohol related disorientation).

Surely these instructions should come with the keg... I'm off to the pub. :agree1:

2 ways to avoid the fizzy dutch nonsense;-

1. Use a dirty glass.
2. Drink proper beer i.e. Bitter! A nice pint of Sharp's Doom Bar. Mmmmm

Greetings;

Defoaming beer, I was always told to put something salty in the foam to disovle it, like your finger or another part of your body.:beerdive:

I don't get any foam in my Jim beam when pouring.

Scott

Randy - careful drinking that Canadian beer. We actually put alcohol in our beer!

Having grown up across the river from Detroit -I watched too many young American people thinking they could drink anyone under the table becoming door mats (some of them literally). We actually have beer that is 7%+ alcohol (yes, almost double what typical American beer has). It tastes awful - but when you are young you aren't as picky about your beer.

2 ways to avoid the fizzy dutch nonsense;-

1. Use a dirty glass.
2. Drink proper beer i.e. Bitter! A nice pint of Sharp's Doom Bar. Mmmmm

Now wait a minute! My (Dutch) feelings are hurt!
I tasted that stuff (bitter?) a very long time ago!
It tasted like pi$$.

I appreciate your taste, I hope you do mine! :lol:

Stijloor (former beer drinker).

I tasted that stuff (bitter?) a very long time ago!
It tasted like pi$$.

I appreciate your taste, I hope you do mine! :lol:

Stijloor (former beer drinker).
Hey! I like bitter, and stout and IPA.

Randy - careful drinking that Canadian beer. We actually put alcohol in our beer!

Having grown up across the river from Detroit -I watched too many young American people thinking they could drink anyone under the table becoming door mats (some of them literally). We actually have beer that is 7%+ alcohol (yes, almost double what typical American beer has). It tastes awful - but when you are young you aren't as picky about your beer.

Actually, Swedish Class IV beer is serious beer. I used to get a couple of cans of Gorilla (no kidding, that was the name) at the state-run store when I was in Eskilstuna. Down a couple of those, and you do become a doormat. They are 10%. Oh, and I could pour it without foam.

I think Hershal is complaining about getting glassfuls of foam and no beer.

Then the instruction on the keg is bad, like said before you have to tilt the glass, and get it in an upright position by filling it.

But I must agree here a marketing guy, make a big mistake to bring such a keg on the american market. It's fine for Europe but not for US, where the beer is too cold (I will never understand, how someone dare to put ice cubes in his beer :bonk:) and with no foam.

Only in Germany there are more than 800 different kind of beer exists, I think to start a discussion which one to drink and is the best will last forever.

Taste is nothing for discussion (My opinion)

Greeting from the country with the oldest law for beer brewing and the best beers in the world :D

TamTom

Only in Germany there are more than 800 different kind of beer

I suddenly felt thirsty because you reminded me of 'Oktoberfest' :drunk::drunk:

I tasted that stuff (bitter?) a very long time ago!
Is that the stuff that looks like a string when they pour it?
They don't just turn off the tap, they have to cut it with a knife!

... but not for US, where the beer is too cold (I will never understand, how someone dare to put ice cubes in his beer :bonk:) and with no foam. ...
TamTom
EW! :p Granted I don't spend a lot of time in bars, but I have never seen that. EW!:yuk:

I like the resurgence of small craft brewers. My recent favorite was a Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout from Stone Brewing Co. in California. Mmmmm. Sadly it isn't a regular production, so I'll have to find a replacement. Trout River's version is not it. :(

EW! :p Granted I don't spend a lot of time in bars, but I have never seen that. EW!:yuk:

I like the resurgence of small craft brewers. My recent favorite was a Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout from Stone Brewing Co. in California. Mmmmm. Sadly it isn't a regular production, so I'll have to find a replacement. Trout River's version is not it. :(
Stone has a very good IPA.

I only drink from micro and/or independent breweries. In the Greater Toronto Area, there are a number of them (Mill St & Steam Whistle being 2 of my favourites). The Mill St. one has an actual restaurant attached to it that makes some great thin crust pizza (and over 160 flavours of beer)!

After this week, I may need to make a visit this weekend! :)

Folks, I just tried this Heineken mini-keg thing and am EXTREMELY dissatisfied.

Now, having been in Europe many times and lived there twice, I understand European thought (a really TINY amount), but I am AMERICAN. When I want beer, I want BEER, not foam!

Now, Hershal, whatever happened to travel being broadening to the mind? :D

It's all a matter of culture, you know. Think of how Australians manage - here, it's a sin not to serve beer cold. And yes, it is considered normal to have it with a bit of a head on it (that's 'foam' to you). It's a shock to Australians abroad to be served room temperature beer in England.

I had never developed a taste for Australian beer - but came back from a visit to England having developed a liking for light lager, of a Swedish type. Didn't much care for any of the beer I drank in the USA, I'm sad to say, but then I'm not a big drinker of beer. Make mine brandy, thanks. (Just don't get me started on how I couldn't ever get acceptable 'dry ginger' aka 'Canada dry' there either. Which is how come I switched to beer....). Wine anyone?:lol:

I will never understand, how someone dare to put ice cubes in his beer :bonk:)

You might if you lived in a hot country for any length of time. Icy cold beer is very refreshing in heat. I don't think the Australian mining industry would survive without it!

Well, the origin of beer is disputed, some say the Ancient Egyptians, some say it was invented in the wilds of Tasmania.

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However, as JaneB can attest, the secret of adding bubbles to beer was definitely discovered by Australia's greatest-ever scientist, Albert Einstein.


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(The tapping sound is a chisel being used to split the atom.)

Now, Hershal, whatever happened to travel being broadening to the mind? :D

It's all a matter of culture, you know. Think of how Australians manage - here, it's a sin not to serve beer cold. And yes, it is considered normal to have it with a bit of a head on it (that's 'foam' to you). It's a shock to Australians abroad to be served room temperature beer in England.

I had never developed a taste for Australian beer - but came back from a visit to England having developed a liking for light lager, of a Swedish type. Didn't much care for any of the beer I drank in the USA, I'm sad to say, but then I'm not a big drinker of beer. Make mine brandy, thanks. (Just don't get me started on how I couldn't ever get acceptable 'dry ginger' aka 'Canada dry' there either. Which is how come I switched to beer....). Wine anyone?:lol:


Travel did broaden my tastes.....

In England I used to enjoy Brew XI "the brew of the Midlands", and in my opinion, Spendrups and Falcon (both at Class III) are the tastiest beers in the world, both are Swedish. I also really like Stella Artois and - when in the mood for it - can handle Oranjeboom

Mexican beer includes for me Corona, Sol, and Modelo Especiale. From Canada I like both Blue and Canadian. Sapporo and Asani (misspelled it I know) are great beers. Also, several U.S. brands, even if they are owned by others, such as Bud, MGD, Land Shark, and truth to be told Keystone has come up in the taste ladder of late. Also had wheat beer in Vegas.

And of course I also like Fosters ;at Outback I had it in the Big Bloke glass and so cold there were ice crystals in the foam, which was one of the few times the foam actually ADDED something to the beer.

I also have tried some I did not like, mostly from Spain and India; and from North America, Coors, Fat Tire, and Arrogant Bastard .

I drink beer both cold and also at room temperature.

However I have successfully had all these without foam or at least not much.

It is the foam I have issues with. I hate fighting foam to get to my beer. It just gets in the way.

<snip>However I have successfully had all these without foam or at least not much.

It is the foam I have issues with. I hate fighting foam to get to my beer. It just gets in the way.

Think about foam as foreplay.....:lol:

Stijloor.

Think about foam as foreplay.....:lol:


And providing lubrication for moustache (or upper lip if non-hirsute). :lol:

Which is how come I switched to beer....). Wine anyone?

I'm trying hard to control my 34 inches waist. Which is why I fall in love with MacLaren Vale and Margaret River.

There are some great wines from both those places. And then there's the Barossa Valley, not to mention our own Yarra Valley, and I had a quite wonderful Tasmanian white in Hobart recently by a boutique wine-maker - superb! And I'll get in trouble if I don't mention the Hunter Valley!

and yes, definitely easier on the waistline... no foam ;)

There are some great wines from both those places. And then there's the Barossa Valley, not to mention our own Yarra Valley, and I had a quite wonderful Tasmanian white in Hobart recently by a boutique wine-maker - superb! And I'll get in trouble if I don't mention the Hunter Valley!

and yes, definitely easier on the waistline... no foam ;)

So the Monty Python skit about Australian wines is incorrect?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4GvN4wGUZI

Portuguese way of drinking beer is similar as the one you like in the States. No foam!
You have to came here to taste it!

So the Monty Python skit about Australian wines is incorrect?

Oh, a complete fabrication of course :lol:

- but a ver good one! (Funnily enough, I don't remember seeing that one, and I could have sworn I'd seen all of them. Possibly a case of it you can remember it... you weren't there).

Honesty however compels me to admit that in the early winemaking days here, there were some pretty ordinary attempts (especially compared with more advanced countries!) But we've got a lot better at making wine since the 60s and 70s!

Having said all that though, I did enjoy the Italian wines while I was there recently. MUCH lower alcohol content than here (~6% compared to 11-12%), which meant I could drink a lot more than I usually can, but without regretting it later:lol:.

<snip>Having said all that though, I did enjoy the Italian wines while I was there recently. MUCH lower alcohol content than here (~6% compared to 11-12%), which meant I could drink a lot more than I usually can, but without regretting it later:lol:.

My brother, who has been in Australia a few times, assured me that Aussies take the spiritual content of their beverages very serious.. :lol: Hence, the serious wine-making..

Stijloor.