Earlier this week, a conspicuous package arrived in the mail. It turned out to be a Tap-a-Cap Bottle Opener, courtesy of Pickled Parrot owner Gerry Balog. Great googley-moogley!
I first found out about these things a few months ago. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd have one of my own. You're a miracle worker, Gerry.*
Eager to test this amazing device, I dashed home. Editor Swift tried to follow me, yelling something about a deadline, but I outran him.
The genius of the Tap-a-Cap is that it not only removes the bottle cap, but it has a little magnet on the side which captures the cap. I don't know about you, but I've lost whole minutes of my life searching for rogue bottle caps.
Once home, I set the Tap-a-Cap atop a bottle of suds and gently but firmly pressed down ...
I heard a light click and the gentle release of carbonation. But when I pulled up the Tap-a-Cap, the cap was still in place.
Blast!
I tried it again, pressing down harder. This time, it worked, and I was left with an open bottle and a cap dangling from the Tap-a-Cap.
Thirsty for another go, I quickly drank the beer and tried it again. And again.
After numerous field tests, the Midnight Sun Laboratory has concluded: 60 percent of the time, the Tap-a-Cap works every time.
(Crappy cell phone photo by me)
*Midnight Sun does not condone Balog's
. I have yet to get a hold of Balog over the phone to discuss the incident, but I'm still pursuing it with earnest.