Draught Heineken at 30,000 feet
Heineken, in partnership with Dutch airline KLM, has pioneered in-flight draught beer.
The especially designed appliance fits the dimensions of a standard airline trolley, says the Dutch brewer. The system was specially engineered to overcome the differences in air pressure that in the past made draught beer at altitude, unmanageable.
It is available on specific KLM flights in World Business Class. KLM will also deploy the draught trolley aboard its ‘Medal Flight’ after the Olympic Games on August 22 and prior to the KLM Curaҫao marathon on November 27.
Heineken marketing manager global innovation, Lennart Boorsma said; “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!”
Miriam Kartman, KLM’s executive vice president inflight sales, said: “The draught trolley is another example of the unique partnership between KLM and Heineken. It’s great to see two leading Dutch brands succeed in achieving a world first by serving draught beer in flight.”
The world’s leading premium beer company says the trolley is designed to house the innovative ‘BrewLock’ keg. As cabin pressure at altitude differs considerably from air pressure on the ground, the keg boasts 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. KLM has trained a select group of cabin attendants in the art of serving cold draught beer.
The Heineken beer offered in-flight is brewed at the Zoeterwoude brewery in the Netherlands and each serving will be the standard Heineken draught serving of 25cl.