PHILIPSBURG--An enthusiastic group of beer connoisseurs was on hand to witness the launch of Heineken Blade, a trade tool in serving premium quality draught beer that effectively turns any countertop into a bar. The introduction to Heineken Blade took place at one of the highest points of the Dutch Kingdom, Rainforest Adventures, on Tuesday.
Visiting Heineken Global Draught Master Frank Evers said Heineken Blade allows for a “perfect pour” every time a customer orders a Heineken. During a lively demonstration, he showed how easy it is to operate the machine, which will be available in select outlets on both the French and Dutch sides of the island via International Liquors and Tobacco Trading (ILTT).
The Blade is a compact machine best suited for establishments that are unable to install a draught system due to a lack of space as well as restaurants that would like to offer high quality draught beer.
According to Heineken, the machine works thanks to a smaller eight-litre keg and the “Brewlock” technology which forces compressed air between the outer bottle and inner container, pushing beer out of the keg into the tap.
The result is a machine with the footprint of an A4 piece of paper that can be set up anywhere there is a power source. Once it is fitted with a pre-chilled keg, it just needs to be plugged in, switched on and pressurised.
“It takes less than a minute to set up, and changing the keg is really simple – anyone can do it. Plus, there is no need to clean lines – it’s simply fresh beer cooled to two degrees Celsius, and the beer stays fresh for 30 days,” said ILTT Managing Director Lenny Bain.
Blade means that the ritual of pouring and presenting a consumer with a great-tasting freshly-poured draught beer is now possible everywhere from boutique hotels to high-end restaurants, cafés, cinemas, event caterers, corporate hospitality providers, staff canteens for after-work drinks – the list is endless.
Currently, the Blade system will be available in select outlets on both the French and Dutch sides of the island. There are plans to launch more brews next year to offer a greater variety when it comes to brewery-fresh products.
“We are also looking into the possibilities of making the Blade system available for private use in domestic settings, it’s the ultimate appliance for game-night or a Sunday barbeque” said ILTT Commercial Manager Roel Kokkelmans.
