Tips for Storing and Dispensing Ice Cold Draft Beer

Beer has been bringing joy and refreshment to the world for thousands of years. Exactly how long is a subject of debate and continued research, but we know it’s been around somewhere between three and ten thousand years. That’s some serious staying power!

Once a beverage enjoyed cold only during northern winters and by the elite who could afford to import ice or snow from alpine lakes and mountain tops, it’s hard for us to imagine beer as anything but a cold beverage. We rarely even think about how lucky we are to get to enjoy it ice cold until we are served a pint that’s lost its chill.

Pressurized metal beer kegs, introduced in the 1950’s, were a game changer, making mass production, storage, and transport of the world’s most popular alcoholic drink more efficient than ever. With a capacity of about 15½ gallons, a full-sized keg holds the equivalent of almost 7 cases of beer or 124 pints, which reduces waste while making beer sales more profitable for high-volume operations.

But kegs are big, and they’re heavy. How heavy are they? About 160 pounds when full and around 30 pounds empty. Storing and transporting these heavy vessels with specialized, heavy-duty equipment helps keep staff and equipment in good shape and perfectly-chilled beer at-the-ready for thirsty customers.

Keg Transport

Whether you’re transferring multiple kegs from receiving to your walk-in cooler or preparing for a large event, the all-welded Keg Carrier by NewAge Industrial nests securely on their Bulk Delivery Trucks for safe and efficient keg transport. Carriers are easy to install without tools and are easily removed and stored when trucks are being used for other purposes. Model 51753 holds up to 6, 15½ gallon, half-barrel kegs, and model 52064 holds up to 15, 1/6 barrel craft kegs. Both models have a 5-year warranty and a lifetime guarantee against rust and corrosion.

The Keg Dolly by NewAge provides a safer, easier way for staff to move a single keg up to 16¾" in diameter. The three lips up and five lips down on the dolly platform double overall strength, make for easy loading and unloading, and hold the keg in place during transport. The heavy-duty, low profile construction is easy to use and maneuver on four 3” platform type casters. Non-marking wheels protect your floors and minimize noise. The Keg Dolly also has a 5-year warranty and a lifetime guarantee against rust and corrosion.

Cold Storage

Your walk-in cooler does the critical job of keeping draft beer at the proper storing temperature. Kolpak is the “cold standard” for walk-in refrigeration. From their fully custom solution to Polar Pak and Pre-Engineered, Kolpak offers three ways to get the quality, flexibility, durability, and efficiency you need from your walk-in cooler to ensure that your beer stays ice cold.

Keg Stacker Shelving Units from NewAge Industrial store 1/6, 1/4, and half barrels (kegs) of beer and are offered in a wide variety of sizes to meet your capacity needs. These heavy duty, all welded aluminum racks feature keg shelves that are reinforced for the added abuse that comes with handling kegs. Unlike wire shelving, they have easy-to-clean flat surfaces to aid in the easy-on and easy-off of smaller, heavy product. Approved for use in freezers, displays, and packaging or storage areas, NewAge Keg Stacker Shelving Units have a 5 year warranty and a lifetime guarantee against rust and corrosion.

Chilled Glassware
A frosted glass or mug helps keep cold beer cold and tasting as good as it looks. Glastender Reach-in mug and glass frosters are available in 24" or 28" one-door units and 36", 44," or 48" two-door units. Slide-top frosters are 24" deep and available in 24", 36," or 48" lengths.

Cold Beer Dispensing
Glastender manufactures a variety of refrigerators, line chillers, and dispensing towers for both direct-draw and remote draft beverage dispensing systems. All are designed to maintain the ideal temperature and provide the balanced pressure required for a perfect pour. Decorative towers are available in a variety of styles and finishes to match your décor.

When it comes to optimizing bar and foodservice operations, the options are limitless. We have lots more ideas on tap. Contact us.