Review by Mark Setto

Pros: Portable and crazy-easy, the CO2 PicnicTap is the simplest way to dispense keg beer in nearly any setting.

Cons: Single-use CO2 tanks are somewhat low-capacity and need to be replaced often, which means planning ahead is a must.

Final Verdict: The ease-of-use and convenience are great, but not having to endure foamy, flat beer is what makes this product worthwhile, even if you need to have extra CO2 tanks handy to make it all work.

A couple of years ago, a big group of us decided to go on a camping trip and, as usual, the subject of beer became a contentious one. After arguing back-and-forth, we all agreed that we would get a keg of a local microbrew so we wouldn't have to keep track of empty bottles and cans. No one was quite sure how this would work -- we knew we would be out for the whole weekend and have had our share of kegs go bad from hand-pumping over the years. We thought about taking one of the guys' CO2 systems from his kegerator, but the thought of hooking up an entire system was overwhelming. I volunteered to solve the problem and, after a little research, found the CO2 PicnicTap from Leland Gas. "It can't be that easy," I thought. I was wrong.

We showed up to the campground and unloaded the keg. I pulled the tap out, hooked up the CO2 TapGas tank, zipped up the tower insulator (helping to keep beer stuck in the tower cold) and attached it to the keg. Within a matter of five minutes, we were perfectly pouring microbrew in the middle of nowhere.

The CO2 PicnicTap has been the life of the party ever since. Deck parties, tailgates, subsequent camping adventures -- it has been a companion for me and my beer-loving friends.

USABLE: 4 for 5

What has most amazed me about the Leland CO2 PicnicTap is that I can get it working in a matter of minutes, which is critical for the impatient people I tend to surround myself with. Getting the tanks in and out of the tower is not as easy as it could be, but certianly not all that tough, but that's usually the hardest part of the process. For those pouring themselves a beer, it's about as simple as it gets (bar-like lever system versus the plastic hand-pump taps). The most challenging aspect of using the CO2 PicnicTap is adjusting the regulator -- it should always be done a little bit at a time with the knowledge that there's a few-second lag between changing the pressure and the speed at which the beer is poured. This isn't entirely intuitive and takes a little experience so that the beer is perfect for every pour.

PORTABLE: 5 for 5

This thing can go anywhere and the box is even its own carrying case. There are extra pockets for CO2 canisters and the attention to detail with the zip-up insulator is proof to me that it was designed by a pro.

ATTRACTIVE: 3 for 5

It's attractive in its simplicity. While it won't win any design awards, it's exceedingly functional and minimalist. For those who might want to jazz up the design, the tap handle is easily-replaced with any handle you'd like, adding a little bit more of a bar atmosphere to wherever you've set it up.

INNOVATIVE: 5 for 5

The core concept -- a picnic tap -- is not itself innovative. However, the way this product is built certainly is, and it's all about the air source and regulator. The little TapGas tanks, despite being low-capacity, are easy to install and remove, and provide plenty of power. Where things really get interesting is the Leland air regulator, which uses more than 35 machined parts to make the regulator smooth as silk, yet small enough to be barely noticed on the tower. This isn't your average kegerator regulator, which is takes an amazing amount of finesse to get perfect, but rather a small, easy-to-use system that works perfectly every single time.

COOL: 5 for 5

If you want a crowd at a tailgate, use a CO2 PicnicTap.

OVERALL: 4.4 for 5

The ease of use, crowd-pleasing performance, and small trunk packing profile of this product will ensure that you'll be taking it to tailgates and parties for years to come.