Self-cooling keg is a chilling reminder

by Claire Hu

Another threat to the pub experience has emerged with the launch of the self-cooling keg.

Scottish Courage is trialling the Foster's Coolkeg in Brighton with the aim of making it even easier for people to enjoy draught-quality cold beer at home.

The device delivers 35 pints and keeps the lager at a constant 6º for at least 12 hours.

A flick of a switch sets off a chemical reaction inside the keg.

They will be rented out by off licences for £49.95, plus a £30 deposit that is refunded when the keg is returned.

Courage is hailing it as the biggest innovation in domestic dispense since the Widget, and it says the keg could also have a valuable use in the on-trade, particularly for use in pub gardens and temporary event bars run by licensees.

Launching it this week with the help of cricketer Phil Tufnell, recently returned as King of the Jungle from the series I'm a Celebrity...

Get Me Out of Here!, John Botia, Foster's brands director, said: "This will have a lasting effect on the way we drink beer when not at our favourite club or pub.

This summer a refreshingly cold draught quality lager is going to be a mouth-watering reality at barbecues and parties."

The keg, developed in Germany, comprises three vacuumed layers and makes use of the natural reaction of zeolite mineral with water.

The zeolite draws out heat from the beer and also converts a water reservoir to ice, cooling the Foster's to 6º in an hour.

Caroline Nodder, from the British Institute of Innkeeping, said: "We understand people are always going to want to have parties at home.

But the concern here is this will encourage them to stay at home whereas previously they would have gone to the pub.

"Staying at home is never the same as going to the pub in terms of the customer service, the atmosphere and the welcome you get.