The 14 best beer dispensers to bring the pub home
The only way to guarantee a perfect pint is to pour it yourself. Here are our favourite at-home beer dispensers you need to buy this year.
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The best beer dispensers are the perfect substitute for your nearest watering hole: anything that helps us grab a glass of our favourite IPA, craft or stout without having to leave the house or pay London pint prices is a win in our books. A beer tap on your kitchen countertop or at-home bar, then, can be cheaper, tastier and a whole lot less effort, and with the sheer volume of sups available to try, we’re betting they will offer a better range than your nearest Wetherspoons.
A proper at-home beer-dispensing unit is vital to any house party, weekend wind-down or even just as an accoutrement to your dinner plans, delivering crisp, tasty pints into your favourite glass. And if you’re feeling particularly generous, they work out a great gift for the beer-lover in your life too. The best options offer a belly-tickling array of flavours and types of beverage, with some of the more premium devices automatically cooling the keg or ordering you a replacement when you get to the dregs — and there are plenty of alcohol delivery services ready to keep a steady supply of top-tier pints flowing past your lips.
Keen to explore the gut-busting range of at-home brewing and pouring devices? Read on to check out our edit of the best beer dispensers around.
What's the best beer dispenser of 2024?
Easily the best beer machine we've seen, this Pro dispenser rivals your local boozer for convenience. With automatic cooling that can be adjusted to suit the beer of choice, smart features to let you know when you're running out of lager, and the ability to order more right from the app, this should be your first choice every time.
Know a Guinness lover? If your tins of Guinness are sub-par away from the pub, then the only way to level up your pouring is with the Nitrosurge. A small, rechargeable gadget to release the nitrogen built up in your beer for a supremely smooth two-pour pint.
When hosting a summer knees up, sometimes simplicity is the recipe for the day, and you really don't want to be messing around with complex machines and cooling temps, so it doesn't get easier than the BeerTower XXL. Simply pour your favourite tipple into the canister and pull a tasty pint every time.
It's every beer-lover's dream to brew and enjoy their own brand of brew, so the ultimate choice for any hop-related tinkerer is the Pinter 3. Simply pour some water into the drum and wait patiently for 10 days. You'll be rewarded with six delicious pints, and there are plenty of flavours and brands to choose from.
- Best beer dispenser overall: PerfectDraft Pro - from
£394£319 at perfectdraft.com - Best simple beer dispenser: BeerTower XXL -
£50£40 at amazon.co.uk - Best beer dispenser for most people: Perfectdraft - from
£294£179 at perfectdraft.com - Best beer dispenser for at-home beer brewers: Pinter 3, £99 at pinter.co.uk
Skip to: How we test the best beer dispensers | What is a beer dispenser? | What do I need to have a draught beer at home? | Where do you buy beer dispenser kegs? | How to pour the perfect beer | Are beer pumps worth it?
How we test the best beer dispensers
We've ensured that only the finest beer dispensers pass through our hands so that we can recommend just the premium devices fit for a beer hall. In all cases, we've poured at least a few pints – it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it – assessing the cost, the physical size of the unit and the compatible beers/kegs available to ensure a wide range of popular, quality brews are open for consumption. We tested out the ease of pouring, how simple it is to set up, replenish and clean once done and the overall quality of the build.
Amazon Prime Day 2024
Amazon Prime Day 2024 is set to kick off over 16-17 July, and we're curating all the top deals on our best Prime Day 2024 deals page. And yes, there's bound to be more than a few beer dispensers on offer too, so there's never been a better time to jump into the land of pouring your own pints. Keep an eye out for deals below, and cheers!
What is a beer dispenser?
Before you gut the cellar of your home to accommodate a pumping system, you should know most at-home beer dispensers are kitchen counter-friendly devices that house anything from a few tins to a full keg dispenser. Some might have a cooling system to chill and keep your beer fresh and at the optimum drinking temperatures, a built-in nozzle with dedicated Co2 cartridges for smooth pouring or even smartphone control so you can kick your feet up and relax without fiddling around with settings.
Many of our favourite beer pumps below are part of a subscription service, meaning you can get monthly top-ups to mini-kegs or cans so you’re never short on sesh day, with the largest kegs holding eight litres or roughly 14 pints. Alternatively, you can buy your chosen poison elsewhere to keep costs down.
Either way, you owe it to yourself to enjoy a perfectly poured pint at home – the Winchester may be back open, but these clever kitchen gadgets will be the pride of garden parties and matchday viewing sessions all year round.
What do I need to have a draught beer at home?
Every beer lover’s dream is to have a perfectly pulled pint right at home. The pub is great and all that, but imagine not even having to unlock the front door to get a crisp, ice-cold pale ale in your own frosted pint glass. The beer dispenser is your best bet for achieving this alcohol-soaked nirvana, but there are a few things you need to get.
It goes without saying you’ll need to select your chosen dispenser from one of our favourites below, but you’ll also need to get the right beer to slot into your dispenser that suits your beer tastes. Many of the more expensive options take kegs directly from brewers (often called kegerators) that are pressured and will shoot out the golden nectar for you, complete with microfoam heads right in your own home, but others just need beer cans or bottles to be slotted or poured in.
Many services will come and collect your complete kegs once you're done with them, which is a nice bonus for the ecologically-minded, and some like PerfectDraft will give you money off your next order when returning your used canisters. Aside from that, you'll need a pint glass to enjoy your drink in. Luckily, most retailers offer at least one glass as part of a bundle deal so you're never short of something to drink out of.
Where do you buy beer dispenser kegs?
In all cases, you can shop for your chosen beer on the multitude of beer delivery websites available, from PerfectDraft machines to Beer 52, to get your drinks sent right to your door. For a full range of options, check out our guide to beer subscription services, and our gifting ideas for men if you're in need of some inspiration for an upcoming celebration.
How to pour the perfect beer
Now you've got the gear, you need to have an idea of how to use the darn thing. Getting a perfectly poured beer requires some patience and a lot of practice –devastating, we know– but if you follow these simple steps, you'll be a bona fide bevvy God in no time.
Prepare your chosen beer in the dispenser, ensuring it's at the optimum drinking temperature for a crisp finish. Each type of beer requires a slight variation in the chill, so get prepared and know your temps. For example, an IPA excels at around 5 degrees Celsius. Grab your pint glass and chill it, either in the freezer or run it under a cold tap.
Hold the edge of the glass under the tap at a 45-degree angle and pull your pint, ensuring the tap spout stays out of the drink as your glass fills up. Slowly begin to straighten out your pint as it fills to ensure a foamy head. Some dispensers will have dedicated head-finishing features that polish off the perfect pint, but in most cases, simply pull the glass away and enjoy it responsibly.
Are beer pumps worth it?
If you’re partial to a sup and don’t fancy heading to the local pub then a beer dispenser is worth its weight in gold. The ability to pour — or in some cases brew — your own delicious pints at home at a considerably cheaper overall cost is the perfect way to enjoy some drinks without having to travel anywhere. And if you regularly host a beer session at home on the weekends or else have an upcoming house party with lots of thirsty people attending, they can offer even more of a perfect solution.
Granted, there’s an upfront cost to consider, and the kegs are not cheap by any standards, but the long-term costs of maintaining a pub-going habit or ensuring all your mates’ glasses are full at all times are much cheaper.
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Shop GQ's pick of the best beer dispensers you can buy 2024….
1/14Best overall beer dispenser: PerfectDraft Pro
We liked: Supreme pouring | Self-chilling | Wide selection of beers
We didn't like: Expensive | Requires internet connection- Best for: Pulling ice-cold smart-controlled beer
- Weight: 8.32kg
- Type: Keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 44.3 x 19 x 49.2
- Where to buy beer: perfectdraft.com
Hands down the best beer machine we’ve tested, the PerfectDraft Pro is a truly exceptional dispenser worthy of any kitchen or garden party, chiefly because it’s a smart bit of kit. Connecting to our smartphone, we set the optimum temperature control for a huge range of beers, from Vocation IPAs to a classic Stella (with recommendations guiding us on what temperature to set the unit and what food goes well with our new pint). It pushes notifications to the app to warn you when you run low on your beer and you can simply purchase more in-app to be delivered to your door. The simplicity of this device, despite its large price tag and powerful pouring capabilities, took us by surprise.
There’s a staggering range of kegs to choose from (including stouts, ales and crisp IPAs), and the set-up is quick so we didn’t miss out on any vital drinking time. Cleaning up the drip tray and dispenser tap is easy, as they are fully replaceable and recyclable and if you trade in any empty 6L kegs of beer back to PerfectDraft, you get £5 off your next order. Oh, and free delivery when you buy right now. Dreamy. From
£394£319. At perfectdraft.com, argos.co.uk & currys.co.ukBest beer dispenser for Guinness lovers: Guinness Nitrosurge
2/14Guinness Nitrosurge
We liked: Next-level Guinness pouring | Rechargeable (up to 100 pints poured) | Easily stored
We didn't like: A bit of a gimmick | Can only be used on Nitrosurge Guinness cans- Best for: Supremely smooth Guinness at home
- Weight: 230g
- Type: Foaming device
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 10 x 6.7 cm
- Where to buy beer: nitrosurge.guinness.com, tesco.com & amazon.co.uk
If you find your at-home Guinness lacklustre, then the only way to level it up is with the Nitrosurge. This special device clips on top of specialised Nitrosurge cans to deliver targeted micro-vibrations to release the nitrogen as you pour for a smoother finish, elevating our pouring technique from mediocre to professional. A few simple tins of Guinness were transformed from a reasonably OK-ish pint to pub-quality and all we had to do was press a button. It's worth noting that we did notice a difference once we got the knack of it, so it will require a few tries to perfect –what a shame, eh?
While it's not technically a beer dispenser –it's simply a conduit to improve the quality of the beer as you pour – and the specific Nitrosurge Guinness cans are significantly pricier than the bog-standard edition, it's still a worthy addition to your beer-related arsenal. It's also worth noting that Amazon currently has a cracking deal on a Nitrosurge collective deal, offering the device itself, a can and a glass to get you started all for £59. Wonderful. £30. At amazon.co.uk & tesco.com
3/14Best beer dispenser for most people: PerfectDraft
We liked: Great design | Huge selection of beer kegs
We didn't like: A weaker alternative to the Pro edition- Best for: A premium pour
- Weight: 8.2kg
- Type: Keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 44.4 x 26.1 x 49.4 cm
- Where to buy beer: perfectdraft.com
This slick-looking ‘non-pro’ draft beer dispenser works with selected 'perfect draft' kegs that require no messing around with gas canisters. Plug the keg in, allow it time to cool down to a frosty three degrees, and let it grace your glass with an exquisite pour. With around 40 different supported beers (from Amstel and Heineken to exotic IPAs) and a specially designed pump that preserves both taste and freshness, this handsome bit of kit ranks as a kitchen essential for both you and your authorised drinking buddies. From
£294£179. At perfectdraft.com, aldi.co.uk, argos.co.uk & amazon.co.uk
4/14Best beer dispenser for parties on a budget: Goods & Gadgets Beer Tower XXL
We liked: Affordable | Easy to use | Works with any beer
We didn't like: Won’t get true draught quality- Best for: Using any beer without hassle
- Weight: 1.92kg
- Type: Liquid dispenser
- Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 52cm
- Where to buy beer: No specific beer required
Fancy expensive pint pourers with built-in refrigeration and perfectly foamy pours are all well and good, but if you’re looking for a low-cost solution to keep the good times flowing en masse, then there’s nothing wrong with a more basic beer dispenser. Take this one From Goods & Gadgets. Simply load it up with up to four litres of any tipple you fancy, and watch guest flock to it and pour their own pints with no messing around with kegs required. It comes with an optional cooling element to keep things fresher on hot days, and it barely takes up any space, making it suitable for smaller spaces/storage.
£50£40. At amazon.co.uk
5/14Best large beer dispenser: Polar G-series Direct Draw Keg Beer Dispenser Single
We liked: Holds a half-barrel keg | Powerful cooling system | Digital temperature control
We didn't like: Expensive | Huge, and may be overkill for most- Best for: Commercial venues wanting to serve draft beer
- Weight: 63kg
- Type: Keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 131 x 61 x 76cm
- Where to buy beer: Compatible kegs
For the true draft beer experience, the Polar G-series Direct Draw Keg Beer Dispenser delivers on all fronts, and is capable of accommodating a half-barrel keg for some serious serving power. Its forced air cooling system rapidly chills your beer to the perfect serving temperature, easily adjusted via the front-mounted digital panel. With a stainless steel construction, self-closing door, and lockable castors, it's built for durability and convenience in busy commercial environments. Naturally, it won't appeal to everyone at this price and heft, but if you've got a serious home bar that needs a constant stream of deliciously cooled beer, it won't let you down.. £1,024. At nisbets.co.uk
6/14Best compact beer dispenser: Draft Wizard Ultrasonic Frothing Beer Dispenser
We liked: Compact design | Affordable price | Works with canned and bottled beers up to 500ml
We didn't like: Not compatible with kegs- Weight: Info N/A
- Type: Ultrasonic frothing dispenser
- Dimensions: 43 cm x 23 cm x 15 cm
- Where to buy beer: amazon.co.uk
The Draft Wizard sounds like a side character in a rather trippy Dungeons and Dragons session. And perhaps it is. But it's also very much an ultrasonic frothing beer dispenser which works by harnessing the power of ultrasonic technology to create a rich, frothy foam, replicating the experience of pouring a fresh pint from the tap.
Simply place your can or bottle (up to 500ml) into the dispenser, and it will automatically pour the beer with a perfectly formed head — powered by a simple pair of AA batteries. This ultrasonic frothing system ensures a consistent, creamy foam, enhancing the flavour and aroma of your beverage.
Much more compact than keg dispensers, the Draft Wizard is a convenient and portable solution for enjoying draft-style beer at home, in the garden, or on the go, bringing the authentic taste of a freshly poured pint right to your fingertips. £69. At menkind.co.uk
7/14Best basic beer dispenser: Winning Beer & Beverage Tower Drinks Dispenser
We liked: Compact design | Simple to clean | Affordable
We didn't like: Limited capacity | Very basic- Best for: Small gatherings
- Weight: N/A
- Type: Tabletop tower
- Dimensions: 70cm tall
- Where to buy beer: Any bottled or canned beer
This sleek, tabletop beer tower stands at an impressive 70cm tall and can hold up to 2.6 litres of your favourite brew. What it lacks in fancy features and built-in cooling (though there is an easy-freeze cooling rod to keep your beer chilled without the need for a complex cooling system), it more than makes up for with its simplicity and affordable price. Its low-tech operation makes for a quick setup and easy cleaning too, making it the perfect wallet-friendly choice for elevating your at-home sessions. £45. At boots.com
8/14Best drinks chiller: Polar G-Series Chilled Drinks Dispenser
We liked: Large capacity | Versatile temperature range | Easy-clean design
We didn't like: Expensive- Best for: Large home gatherings
- Weight: 19kg
- Type: Chilled beverage dispenser
- Dimensions: 64 x 23 x 43cm
- Where to buy beer: Any beverage
The Polar G-Series Chilled Drinks Dispenser is a commercial-grade marvel that brings professional beverage service to your fingertips. With its sizeable 12-litre capacity and sleek grey finish, this dispenser is ideal for cafés, shops, or even ambitious home entertainers looking to elevate their hosting game. Its gentle stirring paddle ensures your beverages remain perfectly mixed without excessive frothing, while digital controls allow precise temperature adjustments from a refreshing 0°C to a milder 10°C. The non-drip stainless steel tap with push-bar operation keeps serving tidy, and the removable bowl makes cleaning a breeze. £430. At nisbets.co.uk
9/14Most stylish beer dispenser: Baridi 5L Mini Keg Draft Dispenser
We liked: Removable drip tray | Self-chilling | Wide selection of beers
We didn't like: REquires replacement CO2 canisters- Weight: 8.2kg
- Type: Keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 33.5cm wide
- Where to buy beer: amazon.co.uk
This sleek and stylish dispenser enhances your home bar experience, ensuring perfectly chilled pints every time you pour. Its built-in cooling feature guarantees that your drinks remain at the ideal temperature, while the 5L capacity is perfect for hosting gatherings and events. Load up your keg of choice, and let the dispenser work its magic.
A removable drip tray with a raised lip helps prevent spillage, while the built-in cooling chills your beverages to as low as 4°C — kept tabs on by a precision LED temperature gauge.
The universal fitting also accommodates most 5L mini kegs, keeping costs low and operating with standard 16g CO2 canisters (three are included). A solid choice for any home bar enthusiast. £150. At diy.com
10/14Best beer dispenser for classic aesthetics: Klarstein 6L Beer Dispenser
We liked: Relatively affordable | Self-chilling | Works with all 6-litre universal kegs
We didn't like: Styling won't suit everyone- Best for: Pulling perfectly cooled beer
- Weight: N/A
- Type: Keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 449 x 29 x 47cm
- Where to buy beer: amazon.co.uk
The classic old-fashioned pub tap styling of the Klarstein won’t be for everyone, but we rather like its old-school charm. Available in black and gold or black and silver finishes, its cauldron-esque design opens up to reveal an internal chamber that houses an universal 6-litre keg. This makes it a great choice for those who like variety, while the ability to let you choose the angle of the pour leads to a smooth finish. An integrated thermoelectric cooling system keeps beer anywhere from 3-12 degrees Celsius, while an integrated pump negates the need for any CO2 cartridges. £175. At amazon.co.uk
11/14Best beer dispenser for at-home beer brewers: Pinter 3
We liked: Brew your own beers | 20 beers to choose from
We didn't like: Requires patience | Fiddly to clean | Additional costs are inevitable- Best for: Perfectly poured self-brewed beer
- Weight: 17.6kg
- Type: Self-brewing keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 59 x 47.1 x 29 cm
- Where to buy beer: pinter.co.uk
We cover the wonders of the self-brewing Pinter 2 below but if you're after an upgrade, the 3rd iteration of the popular at-home beer-making kit brings all the fun of making your own beers but takes it one step further. Where's the new stuff? An active pour tap that extracts the brewer's beer with precision, drawing out foam, notes and bubbles for a perfect draught every time. This tap will adjust itself to the pressure built-up in the keg so you don't end up spurting it everywhere, and there's a range of fun colourways that are certain to catch an admiring eye at this year's BBQ.
Otherwise, it's the same gig, add in your ingredients, suffer through a few days of patient waiting and then enjoy responsibly. We opted for a fruity Tropical Haze, which had a suitable punch and tang without being overpowering. £99. At pinter.co.uk
12/14Best low-tech beer dispenser: HI Beer Tower
We liked: Lightweight and easy to manage
We didn't like: Can't chill your beer | Pretty basic- Best for: Novelty beer tower for larger parties
- Weight: 2kg
- Type: Direct from a can dispenser
- Dimensions: 14 x 85 cm
- Where to buy beer: Anywhere you usually buy cans or bottles
Away from pulling off shoeys and boot pints, the Hi Beer Tower is an excellent addition to any beer-soaked party, simply because it's a bloody massive tower of your chosen tipple. It's got a counter so you can see how many pints you've managed to guzzle your way through and, while it can't chill or optimise your pints, it can easily pour it out for you with reasonable confidence. Is it the highest-tech option around? Absolutely not, but it will serve you beers all the same. From £73. At amazon.co.uk & vidaxl.co.uk
13/14Best beer dispenser for a foamy head: Fizzics DraftPour Beer Dispenser
We liked: Simple | Great for pouring individual cans
We didn't like: Basic | Pricey for what it does- Best for: Improving bottled beers
- Weight: 2.13kg
- Type: Can and bottle dispenser
- Dimensions: 39 x 21 x 13 cm
- Where to buy beer: Anywhere you usually buy cans or bottles
Fizzics' clever little machine elevates regular bottles and cans by enhancing the natural carbonation already present in beer to bring out its full textures and aromas, with a far finer and purer foam head to boot. It's a simpler solution than crafting your own brew or sorting out replacement keg deliveries, and an ideal choice for those looking to dip their toes into pouring their own pint without committing to bulkier and more expensive solutions. Plug it into any USB port for an instant beer delivered right into your glass – a perfect gift for beer lovers. From
£130£100. At lakeland.co.uk & menkind.com
14/14Best beer dispenser for pro-grade pouring: Beerwulf Blade
We liked: Up to 8 pints in one keg | Wide selection of kegs available
We didn't like: Bulky | Expensive- Best for: Decadent day drinking
- Weight: 17.6kg
- Type: Keg dispenser
- Dimensions: 59 x 47.1 x 29 cm
- Where to buy beer: beerwulf.com & amazon.co.uk
The Beerwulf Blade sounds like an exotic weapon from Norse mythology that douses your enemies in delicious golden nectar, but thankfully it's far more practical than that. This stainless steel beverage dispenser is much larger than The Beerwulf Krups Sub above and capable of pulling four times more pints from a single keg. The catch? It’s quadruple the price. If hops-induced decadence is what you're after, plug it in, hook up a compatible eight-litre keg from the likes of Tiger, Stella Artois, Heineken and Birra Moretti and more, and pour away from your own at-home bar. From £347. At beerwulf.com
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