The uKeg is double-insulated, but that can only keep its contents cold for a few hours at a time. If you're using it for longer-term homebrew storage, you'll probably want to keep the whole thing in the fridge. You are now good to go and share with friends – and if you can’t finish the keg in one sitting, place it in the refrigerator for another time. Remember to clean it thoroughly after use by hand. Joshua M. Bernstein, the author of this piece, has penned five books on the subject of beer, as well as articles for The New York Times, Wine Enthusiast, Men’s Journal, and Imbibe. He interviewed three beer experts for this article.

Candy for the beer nerd, the pressurized growler essentially takes the perfect pub pour on the road. This bad boy is copper plated and fit with an interchangeable tap handle, customizable pressure, corresponding gauge, and a sight glass to spot when you’re running low. It’s a great way to store and pour beer for long periods of time (up to two weeks) as well as a major talking point at any get-together where there’s some craft consumption. Another popular route, the stainless steel growler is sleeker in look and extra durable. There are many options out there, but we’re especially fond of the GrowlerWerks. It’s built like a miniaturized keg and comes with an attached dispenser. It’s easy to lug around and can withstand lots of abuse, making it perfect for adventures outdoors.Once pressurized, the uKeg will hold bubbles for the whole time it keeps the beer fresh, thanks its keg-style tap that dispenses liquid without releasing the airtight seal. "I looooooove the GrowlerWerks uKeg," says The Spruce Eats General Manager Emma Christensen, an experienced homebrewer who's written three books on the topic. "It's easy to transport to a party or tailgating or whatever, and I also use it for carbonating things like kombucha or apple juice for DIY sparkling cider." Christensen has two uKegs of her own, both in the larger gallon size. A growler, or a collection of growlers, will open up a world of new beers being brought to new experiences. By design, a growler is beer-to-go, and where that beer goes is nearly limitless thanks to the availability of interesting and technologically-advanced growlers. However, if it is just one or two beer fans enjoying a dinner or a game and a growler, that is just fine too. Fancier growlers offer better seals that can keep the beer protected for weeks or even months, with taps or other systems that dispense the beer while keeping it protected. These nicer models might allow you to attach a CO2 canister to add carbonation to your beer, just like in a soda maker. Establishing a rapport rooted in shared enthusiasm for quality brewing, I aim to guide you through the salient features of the uKeg, making this review a cornerstone in your decision-making journey.

The love of good beer was the start of Portland-based GrowlerWerks. As many of their favorite microbrews didn’t come in bottles, they had to come up with another way to store their brew and keep it fresh. They used their experience from engineering and product design to create the uKeg that ensures your beer always tastes exactly how the brewmaster intended. More information: The last component of the growler is the handle. Glass and ceramic growlers almost always have a ring style handle, while stainless steel growlers might not include one at all. The handle eases pouring the beer and carrying it while in transit. What Your Growler Can Do Even though stainless steel growlers do a far better job of keeping their contents cold than do glass versions, we've kept two of the latter for those who prefer the classic appeal of amber glass. These are the Amber Glass Half Gallon and the Euro 2-Liter. The Euro model has a large metal handle, while the former do not; it's also pricier, but with a more robust lid to make up for the higher cost. Growlers must have a lid to guarantee freshness. Whether a screw-on or gasket cap, the lid is designed to seal in carbonation and to protect the beer from unwanted bacteria. This growler functions as a personal mini keg with the help of DrinkTanks' auto-regulating keg cap. All DrinkTanks growlers are fully vaccuum insulated, so you can put either hot or cold liquids in it and it will keep them piping hot (for 12 hours) or fully chilled (for 24 hours). Learn More HereFor many beer lovers, the word "growler" conjures up an amber glass jug rather than the high-tech super-insulated vessels that make up the rest of this story. Cornucopia's growlers are that exact classic, holding a half-gallon each at a very low price. (This price actually includes a pair of 64-ounce growlers, so it's significantly cheaper than anything made of steel.) For a travel-friendly, strong, metal version, it remains tough to top the Hydro Flask Vacuum, known for its strength, usability, and fun color choices. We've removed the relatively popular Stanley Classic, however, over concerns about the durability of its lid. Those who love the brand might consider the Stanley Go, instead. It has a sturdy handle and is safe for the dishwasher, so it is easy to use from start to finish. If your budget is a factor, there's also the Coleman Stainless Steel. It was designed for easy handling, even in cold weather, and its attached lid should be hard to lose. The Taylor Swift of growlers, the glass version is everywhere and is perfectly consistent. You’ll want a darker shade in the glass to protect your beer and maybe even a custom tote or sleeve of some kind to avoid damage. You can go with the standard version, but unless you’re in a jug band, we suggest something with a little more style (and perhaps some European flair), like the one above.

So I knew I had to review this bad boy. Thanks to GrowlerWerks for sending over the demo units. So what is the Growlerwerks uKeg exactly? The uKeg growler by Growler Werks is a premium option compared to traditional growlers. It offers several key features that set it apart. The history of the growler, however, is much more recent. The name most likely comes from the late 1800's when a metal pail was referred to as a growler by bartenders and patrons. The pail was used to transport beer from the bar to an individual's home. The origin of the growl moniker is disputed. One theory is that the bartender is growling because the patron got more than a pint to take home. Another source insists that the growl is the hiss of Carbon dioxide escaping the pail when it is being transported.

Variants

There are two uKeg sizes: a 64-ounce (1/2 gal) model and a 128 oz (one gallon) model. Both sizes are available in either stainless or copper-plated, meaning you have a total of four options for the uKeg you choose. There's not really a standard capacity for a beer growler, and there are models available in lots of different sizes. However, the half-gallon is quite common; that works out to 64 ounces, or 4 pints. Gallon-sized growlers are also widely available, and there are models that get larger from there, holding multiple gallons as essentially a mini keg. Keeping beer around 55 degrees is best for preserving its flavors and aromas, especially if you’re enjoying a beer with nuanced hop flavors," Ketcham says. A wine fridge could be a good option if you really want to get deep into beer tasting, or you could take your growler out of the regular fridge an hour or two before you want to drink it. Other growlers can store beer under pressure, with carbon dioxide and truly airtight seals to keep oxygen at bay. These gadgets can keep beer fresh and tasty for as long as two months. interchangeable tap handle: handle can be changed to personalize or represent your favourite brewery