Some things transcend politics. Like beer.
A new device could revolutionize the beer industry. Synek, the world’s first portable tap house, markets itself with the “convenience of a Keurig coffee machine and the variety of an iPod.” Synek is the brainchild of St. Louis entrepreneur Steve Young.
The portable kitchen appliance dispenses beer in one-gallon cartridges that are filled using a small adapter. The appliance is pressurized and self-refrigerated, allowing potential users to drink their own home brews or their favorite craft beers without the hassle of bottles and growlers.
The Synek team launched a Kickstarter on June 24th. $170,000 of the team’s $250,000 goal has been raised. 20 days still remain in the campaign.
With the product’s ability to bypass bottling, its team spent months marketing toward home brewers. Synek’s Eric Stoddard told Red Alert Politics the product has actually received the most outreach from those who enjoy the finest of the brews.
“We’ve gotten thousands of emails from craft beer lovers,” said Stoddard, Synek’s Marketing Master.
Stoddard notes there are 1,500 craft breweries in the U.S. unable to afford bottling. Synek would give these breweries’ patrons an ability to enjoy their favorite beers whenever they want.
“We want to help the local guys down the street,” he said.
He called Synek “a small, sexy appliance.” This description allows for comparison to the Keurig coffee machine.
Synek’s innovation, however, causes Stoddard to shy away somewhat from likening the two. Unlike the popular coffee machine, he notes that the Synek does not brew the beer itself. Instead, it gives a “grassroots” option for incredible beer variety for its users.
Stoddard says Synek has appeal “from craft beer users to casual tech users” because of its innovation.
If the Kickstarter campaign reaches its $250,000 goal, Synek hopes to reach the market in early 2015.
“It’s going to be huge for the entire beer industry,” Stoddard said.
