Pros & Cons
-
- Delivers creamy draft-style beer.
- Portable.
- No gas required.
- Easy to use and clean.
-
- Pricey.
- Doesn't fit 22-ounce bottles.
- Ineffective on certain types of beer.
When we reviewed the Fizzics Beer System last year, it received high marks for its ability to transform a variety of canned and bottled beers into heady draft-style libations without the need for CO2 or nitrogen gases. The latest Fizzics system, the Waytap ($129.99), is basically a smaller, travel-friendly version of the original. It uses the same Micro-Foam sound technology to create a thick, foamy head, and it's incredibly easy to use. However, it doesn't work with 22-ounce bottles, and it doesn't do much to enhance the look and taste of certain types of beer.
Design
The Waytap sports a more streamlined look than its predecessor. The canister stands 13.2 inches tall and rests atop a 7.0-by-4.5-inch (DW) metal base with a built-in drip tray and rubber mat. It comes in white, black, or gray, and has silver aluminum trim around the base and parts of the tap mechanism. The top of the canister twists off to reveal space for four AA batteries (not included), which power the Micro-Foam mechanism. Just below the top is a tap spigot and handle, and below that is a button that releases the canister from the base.
As with the original Fizzics dispenser, the Waytap uses sound waves to enhance the beer's carbonation properties. It's designed for use with carbonated beer only and should not be used with soda, coffee, juices, or any other type of beverage, but you can run warm water through it for cleaning purposes. It will accommodate 12-25 ounce cans and 12-ounce bottles, but 22-ounce bottles won't fit in the canister, which is unfortunate as many craft brewers and microbreweries use this bottle size. If the canister was just 1.5 inches taller this wouldn't be an issue. 
Setup and Results
To use the Waytap, press the release button and remove the canister from the base. Place your opened beer can/bottle into the holder on the base and replace the canister, making sure to insert the filler tube into the can/bottle. Snap the canister in place, grab a glass, and place it beneath the tap on an angle. Pull the tap handle forward and fill until the glass is three quarters full, then push the handle backward to top it off with a thick, foamy head. As with the original, pay attention while pouring, otherwise you may end up with too much foam, an overflow, or both.
My taste results with the Waytap were identical to those of the original Fizzics system. I tapped a bottle of Bud and was rewarded with a nice mug of suds with a frothy head that tasted every bit as fresh as the tap from my local watering hole. Next, I ran a can of Guinness Draught through the Waytap but found the beer's texture and head were lacking in comparison to a hand-poured glass. A tapped pint of Southern Tier's Pumking pumpkin ale looked and tasted awesome, however, as did a pint of Smithwick's Red Ale and a pilsner from Brooklyn Brewery. I tried tapping a bottle of my own home-brewed double IPA but was a bit disappointed; the Waytap delivered a nice head, but the taste was sweeter than it should have been and didn't have the slightly bitter finish that makes this kind of beer special.
Conclusions
If you enjoy the taste of freshly tapped beer but can do without the expense and maintenance of a gas-charged keg system, check out the Fizzics Waytap. Its Micro-Foam technology uses sound waves to bring a thick, foamy head to canned and bottled beer, and it's small enough to take with you on the road, but it doesn't fit 22 ounces bottles, a popular vessel used by craft brewers, home brewers, and microbreweries. The Waytap works wonderfully with lagers, pilsners, and most ales, but if you crave the bitter finish of a strong IPA and like your Guinness thick and foamy, you may want to stick to a traditional hand pour for those types of beers. If size doesn't matter, however, the original Fizzics Beer System remains a better choice. It's a little more expensive than the Waytap and not quite as attractive, but it accommodates all popular bottle, can, and growler sizes. If you're into nitro-brewed coffee and nitro-infused beer, consider the NitroBrew for Home system. It's significantly more expensive than the Waytap and isn't very portable, but it does a fine job of putting a Guinness-like head on your favorite suds.