Dutch airline offers Heineken on tap

Dutch brewer Heineken has teamed up with KLM airlines to offer draught beer on tap at 30,000 feet.

A draught beer trolley has been engineered to overcome the differences in air pressure that in the past made serving draught beer at altitude unmanageable.

The trolley is designed to house a “BrewLock” keg using new technology that works with the aid of air pressure instead of CO2. Air pressure brings the keg pressure to the desired level, compensating for the negative pressure on board and generating sufficient tap pressure for serving.

But don’t expect to be offered a fresh pint if travelling economy. The draught trolley will only be available on specific KLM World Business Class flights, with one-off appearances aboard KLM’s “Medal Flight” after the Olympic Games on 22 August and another prior to the KLM Curaҫao Marathon on 27 November.

“We are continually driving innovation to ensure consumers can enjoy the premium Heineken experience, no matter where they are – on land, at sea and now in the air”, said Lennart Boorsma, marketing manager of global innovation at Heineken. “The Heineken beer tap experience means those on board can have a brewery fresh draught beer when they are flying, making travelling with KLM even more special.”

The Heineken beer offered in-flight is brewed at the Zoeterwoude brewery in the Netherlands and will be offered in 250ml servings.