Growlers -- 64-ounce glass jugs you fill up with beer at a brewery or brewpub -- are one of the most cost-effective ways to store and transport craft beer. But if you can't finish four pints in one sitting, the beer remaining in the growler degrades; air replaces liquid, and within a few days you've got a growler full of stale, flat beer. That problem is why craft beer fans are excited about a new growler cap, called TapIt, which essentially turns a full growler into a mini-keg.
The TapIt Cap uses a carbon dioxide tank to keep the pressure in the growler high and push its contents through a tube to a tap, where it gets poured into a glass. This process does two things: First, the CO2 helps the beer produce draft-like foam, and second, it means the gas in the growler is CO2, not air, and your beer stays fresher for longer. Because a glass growler can't withstand the same internal pressure as an aluminum keg, the TapIt included a valve that ensures the pressure never rises above 9 PSI. Essentially, the TapIt replicates the same method of drafting beer found at bars worldwide, but for a container more appropriate for individuals.
The TapIt was a fully funded Kickstarter back in March and production has started with an estimated November ship date. The growler tap costs $45 and a set of six CO2 cartridges will run you $7.50, but here's hoping the next version has a pump option.
