I supose you could call this 'Home Draft' and it's not to be confused with the recent launch of the Molson Coors Home Draft system. This is THE WAY to enjoy 32 pints of beer with your mates, at home using a traditional hand pump.

If you are lucky enough to live near a microbrewery and are having a party or BBQ, then maybe you should think about giving them a ring, having a sample of their beers and then ordering a 32 pint polypin. That's exactly what we did with (one of) our local microbrewery Nutbrook.

Of course, we already knew the amazing quality of the Nutbrook beers and have even been down and 'YouTubed' the complete brewing process. Giving them a ring the night before the England game secured our 32 pint polypin (plastic cask type device) ready for collection the next day.

Once we found a suitable platform for the hand pump, we connected the tube and stood back, expecting an explosion. I sent @martinaedy in for closer inspection and he carefully poured the first pint.

I can't quite explain what it feels like to have your own pub in a garage (even if it was @colinmitchell's). It sort of makes you feel grown up and even though I've worked behind a bar, there is something fullfilling about pulling your own pint to your own specification of head. We were supplied with a sparkler - which screws onto the end of the pump and turns the flow into a spray. This then gives much more head depending on the type and condition of the beer. I now fully understand why some people ask for the sparkler to be removed and why some even prefer a flat pint.

Even though a load of people brought cans and bottles, the 'Real Ale' seemed to be the most popular and the novelty of pouring your own pint didn't ware off throughout the evening. The performance of our English beer was much better than the performance of the England football team - it lasted the whole game and much praise was given on it's form and overall performance.

My advise would be to go and find your local micro, test their wares and order a polypin for your next party - you won't regret it. Just remember that you'll probably only really get five days to drink it before it's best, so invite a few mates or just drink it like it's going out of fashion.

http://www.nutbrookbrewery.com/

(Sent from iPhone)