Fizzics Waytap: A mobile beer tap
27.11.2017
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
The Waytap from Fizzics is a compact and mobile beer tap. The manufacturer promises that the beer tastes better than when it is poured by hand. I wanted to find out whether this was true and put the product to the test.
The Fizzics Waytap originally started as a crowdfunding project on Kickstarter. The manufacturer initially wanted to raise just 50,000 dollars to be able to go into production with the beer tap. However, it didn't stop there. The project shot through the roof. Over 7,000 people have collectively invested more than a million dollars in the Kickstarter project.
How does the tap work?
You can place a normal beer bottle or beer can (up to 0.5 litres) in the Waytap. The beer is drawn in via a hose and channelled into the glass via the tap. Four AA batteries operate the mechanism. The tapping process is exactly the same as with conventional tapping systems. If you pull the tap towards you, the beer flows into your glass. If you push the tap away from you, the Waytap produces foam.
What sets the Waytap apart from other taps, however, is an integrated sound device. This is activated as soon as you press the tap. According to the manufacturer, the sound waves generated should make the beer taste better. An IPA should be fresher, a stout creamier and a lager more effervescent. When I read this in the product description, I honestly had to smile a little. I suspected it was pure marketing gimmickry. So I got myself some different beers, organised a few test persons from the office and set up a tasting. Let's see if the Waytap can keep its promise.
We tried the following beers:
Does the beer taste different?
To notice a difference, we ordered two bottles/cans of each beer. One beer was poured into the glass by hand, the other with the Waytap tap from Fizzics. We then compared the appearance and flavour of the two glasses and their contents in a blind tasting and had to find out which beer was tapped and which we poured by hand. One thing I can say up front: we noticed the difference.
Appearance
The appearance has changed noticeably, especially the foam. Its structure is much finer than the beer that was poured by hand. The individual pores or air bubbles in the foam were much denser. The foam therefore lasted longer before collapsing. I can't say for sure whether this was specifically influenced by the sonication of the beer. However, the fact that the appearance of the beer has changed shows that the Waytap is not just a gadget, but provides recognisable added value. In terms of appearance, the tap therefore wins out over the conventional manual pouring method.
The foam was much finer, denser and also more consistent when the beer was tapped.
In addition, you don't need much knowledge when pouring with the tap. Just hold the glass at a slight angle and the rest is done by the Waytap. If you pour the beer by hand, in our opinion, the pouring skills play a decisive role in the appearance of the beer.
Flavour
As is well known, taste is debatable, which is why the test subjects made different statements about it. Some said that they could not detect any major differences. Others said that the beer had become more subtle. I myself noticed that the bubbles in the beer had become a lot smaller as a result of tapping. I therefore assume that the beer spreads differently on the tongue. Many small bubbles therefore transport the flavour differently than a few large bubbles.
The mouthfeel has changed. Especially in beers with a high IBU, the bitterness has weakened with the tap.
However, we all realised that there were big differences in the beers tested. With the IPA or the red ale, for example, you could really feel the difference between the tap and the beer that was poured by hand. Whereas the lager and wheat beer made almost no difference.
Conclusion
The Waytap from Fizzics surprised us all. We were sceptical at first and didn't believe it would work. After our tasting, however, we have to admit that the tap left a positive impression. When asked whether my test subjects would buy this item for themselves, they all answered in the negative. However, they could imagine giving it as a gift to a friend or as a party gag.
So if you are still looking for a suitable Christmas present for a beer lover, I can recommend the Waytap from Fizzics. The price is in the upper segment, but still affordable. And the tap looks stylish too.
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
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