Tap King Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy

Tap King was a beer dispenser system that allowed people to have beer on tap at home. It was launched in 2013 by Lion and discontinued in 2016 due to poor sales. The Tap King system consisted of a plastic dispenser and 3.2L disposable plastic bottles of beer that could be attached to the dispenser and chilled in the fridge. While the product initially generated interest, it received mixed reviews from customers, with some complaining about the high price per litre of beer and issues with the gas system resulting in flat beer or excessive foam. As of 2016, Tap King is no longer available for purchase, and customers who owned the dispenser could contact Lion to receive a $30 voucher in compensation.

Tap King is discontinued

Tap King, the 3.2-litre take-home vessel that aimed to provide the draught beer experience in people's homes, has been discontinued.

The product was launched in 2013 by Lion, who later announced in July 2015 that they would be reducing the range of beers available to only the James Squire range. In January 2016, Lion confirmed that they would be discontinuing the Tap King system entirely.

In a statement, Lion said:

> It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the end of the Tap Kingdom. The pleasure of draught beer at home was enjoyed by many, but unfortunately the time has come to discontinue Tap King and bid thee farewell.

The statement went on to say that despite appreciating the loyalty of their customers since launching Tap King in 2013, sales had not met expectations, and the decision had been made to stop supplying stockists.

Lion faced backlash from customers who had purchased the dispensers and were left with no way of buying refills. The company reportedly offered a $30 Visa gift card to those who returned their dispensers via a satchel supplied by Lion.

While some customers were satisfied with the compensation, others were frustrated by the process of having to contact the company, wait for a satchel, and pack and post the dispenser. Some also felt that Lion, as a large multi-national company, was only thinking about profits.

The discontinuation of Tap King left an opening in the market for similar products, such as the iKegger 2.0, which offers a more environmentally-friendly and customisable option for beer lovers.

Tap King was a home draught beer system

The Tap King range offered several of Australia's favourite beers, including James Squire One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale, James Squire The Chancer Golden Ale, James Boag’s Premium Lager, Hahn Super Dry, Tooheys Extra Dry, and XXXX GOLD. The dispenser unit retailed for $32.99, while the 3.2L bottles ranged from $18.99 to $27.99.

However, despite the promising concept, Tap King faced several issues that ultimately led to its discontinuation. One of the main problems was the price, as the cost per litre of beer was higher compared to purchasing the same beer in bottles or cans. Additionally, the plastic construction of the dispenser gave it a cheap feel, and users often experienced issues with excessive foam and faulty gas systems, resulting in flat beer.

In July 2015, Lion, the company behind Tap King, reduced the range of beers available, further limiting the already narrow choices. Ultimately, in January 2016, Lion announced the discontinuation of the entire Tap King range, much to the disappointment of loyal customers who had come to enjoy the product. Following the discontinuation, customers were left with unusable plastic dispensers, and Lion offered a $30 voucher in compensation for returned dispensers.

Tap King was made of plastic

Tap King was a short-lived product that allowed people to have beer on tap at home. It was launched in 2013 and discontinued in 2016 due to poor sales. The Tap King system consisted of a plastic dispenser and 3.2L disposable plastic bottles of beer. The dispenser unit retailed for $32.99, and the bottles ranged from $18.99 to $27.99.

The Tap King was made entirely of plastic, including both the dispenser and the beer bottles. This gave the product a cheap feel, and many customers were left with a negative impression before even pouring their first beer. The plastic construction also contributed to the product's failure, as it led to issues with the gas system, resulting in flat beer or excessive froth.

The Tap King's plastic dispenser had several design flaws. The dispenser's small tube contributed to the frothing issues, and the complicated cap design increased costs as the caps had to be made by hand. Additionally, the placement of the CO2 bulb in the cap limited the ability to use alternative gas sources, such as a Sodastream bottle.

The plastic bottles used by the Tap King system were also a source of frustration for customers. The bottles were designed to be disposable, leading to wastefulness as they were thrown away after each use. This contrasted with more sustainable options, such as the iKegger, which offered reusable and refillable stainless steel mini kegs.

In summary, the Tap King's plastic construction was a significant factor in its downfall. The plastic dispenser and bottles felt cheap and led to functional issues, negative customer experiences, and increased waste. Ultimately, the Tap King system failed to deliver on its promise of providing a convenient and enjoyable beer-on-tap experience at home.

Tap King was expensive

The high price of Tap King was a significant factor in its discontinuation. Sales did not meet expectations, and many customers felt that the product was not worth the cost. Some customers tried to get a free dispenser or take advantage of staff discounts to make the product more affordable. Ultimately, the high price and disappointing performance of Tap King led to its demise, with customers feeling that the product was an expensive gimmick.

The cost of Tap King was also impacted by the need to purchase a new dispenser unit if the original one became faulty. This added to the overall expense of the product and contributed to customer dissatisfaction. In addition, the limited range of beers available for Tap King became more expensive over time, further increasing the cost for customers. The reduction in choice and increase in price made it challenging for customers to find an affordable option that suited their tastes.

The expense of Tap King was further exacerbated by the issues with the product's performance. Customers reported that they often received only half the amount of beer advertised due to excessive foaming. This meant that the effective cost per beer was even higher than expected, making Tap King a poor value proposition. The combination of high prices and unreliable performance ultimately led to the product's discontinuation.

While Tap King offered the convenience of draught beer at home, the cost was a significant drawback. The high price of the dispenser unit, beer bottles, and the need to replace faulty equipment added up, making it an expensive option for beer lovers. The issues with the product's performance and the limited range of beers available further contributed to the perception of Tap King as an expensive and disappointing product. Ultimately, the high cost was a significant factor in its failure to meet sales expectations and subsequent discontinuation.

Tap King had poor customer reviews

Tap King, a product that promised users the convenience of having draught beer at home, received poor customer reviews. The reviews highlighted several issues with the product, including its high cost, poor value for money, and the excessive foam produced when pouring the beer.

Many customers complained about the high cost of the product, with some pointing out that it was more expensive than buying the same volume of beer in bottles or cans. The Tap King dispenser was priced at $32.99, and the 3.2L bottles retailed from $18.99 to $27.99. This pricing structure was seen as a poor value proposition, especially when compared to the cost of a carton or a six-pack of beer.

In addition to the cost, customers also experienced issues with the amount of beer they were able to pour from each bottle. The bottles were advertised to contain the equivalent of 10 x 320ml beers, but in reality, customers often only managed to get 5-6 scooners or even just one beer from a single keg. This was partly due to the excessive foam produced when pouring, which was a common issue mentioned in many reviews. Customers reported that even after following the recommended chilling and pouring instructions, they still ended up with a glass full of foam instead of beer.

Other issues mentioned in the reviews included problems with the gas system, resulting in flat beer, and a lack of customer support when issues arose. Overall, the poor reviews highlighted significant shortcomings in the Tap King product, leading to customer disappointment and frustration.

Frequently asked questions