Can I make a kegerator?

Most of us beer enthusiasts have an extra refrigerator in the garage or somewhere around the house. It’s the phenomenon that takes place when our spouse has the dire need to get a new refrigerator. We might not think we need one at the time. But, now we know what to do with it. Make a kegerator out of it.

With the refrigerator unplugged, start by figuring out where you want your tap. The side of the refrigerator is a great place. But, I’ve seen them in the door and that works just fine as well. In fact, that’s the preferred place for most beer enthusiasts as long as you make sure the tap is about a half a foot to a foot above the keg…

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How to Build a Home Bar

It’s a part of the beer enthusiast’s life to head out and grab a beer from our favorite drinking hole. We love all kinds of bars. The dive is a relaxing joint while the club is where we can meet new and interesting people.

But, we can’t live out in the bars all the time even though we’d love it. We eventually have to break away and come home to the families and the household responsibilities. That’s why building a home bar makes us feel like home when we’re home.

There are plenty of ways to build your own home bar. You have to use your imagination and creativity. What it boils down to is your personality. Some people like a 50s theme while others like a beach theme. But, those are merely decorations. You have to build the bar first.

Choose Your Space

Choosing the perfect location is sometimes the hardest part. While some people know exactly where the bar should go, others find it difficult to imagine where they would like to have their bar. A basement bar is out of the way and a great location where you get away without technically leaving the home.

It’s smart to put a bar in an unused room or a room that isn’t frequented much. Also, you can add an extension to the house. But if you’re going to go that far, why not just put the bar outside. It’s great for warm weather and in warm weather climates.

Materials

To build the structure, you’ll need 2 x 4s and plywood. You’ll need enough nails and screws to hold it all together. Also, you want finish. I like dark wood finish and polyurethane. But, some people finish in other ways. They’ll use a faux wood finish, wood slats, tile, granite countertops and I’ve even seen wallpaper. It’s up to you and your style. Give it all a thought and decide on what’s perfect for you.

You’ll also need the features. Brass railings look great against a dark wood bar with dark green lighting fixtures. Cabinet doors make it easy for you to finish your bar in style. You can get them at most hardware stores. Round it off with a kegerator for your keg and a cooler for bottles and cans.

Build

If you know how to design and build, you are ready to go to town. If you don’t, find a friend that will help you design so that you will have all the materials you need. Make sure it’s someone who knows how to build or else it’s the blind leading the blind, which can be fun if you have a temperament like mine and nothing gets to you.

But, the easiest bar I have ever seen built was when a friend of mine bought cabinets from the local hardware store. Not cabinet doors like mentioned earlier, but cabinets. He put them side by side, connected them with a countertop and was practically finished building his bar in an hour.

After that, he simply rocked the bar with bar stools, brass railings, dark green lighting fixtures and a kegerator. He purchased a radical cooler for the end of the bar where he puts bottles and cans. A plasma screen is attached to the wall behind the bar and a stereo is wired to it. It’s just about the neatest bar I have ever seen.

Bars are an extension of your personality as a beer enthusiast. If you are serious about your beer, you need a place to put it on display. Whether you brew for yourself or you just like to try new and exotic beers, build your bar soon and start enjoying the beer world with the rest of us.

Keeping the Beer Cold

We’ve all been there.  We had to transport large amounts of beer for one reason or another.  Were able to keep it cool?  It’s not a good thing when you arrive at your destination and the beer is warm.

Ice is the main issue.  Most of the time when the beer gets warm, it’s because there isn’t enough ice.  But, there are also other reasons why the beer gets warm.  Most of my suggestions are going to come across as obvious.  But, I have some other solutions when you don’t have what you need to get the job done.

Cooler

Of course, to keep beer cold you need a cooler.  Make sure you have enough coolers.  If you have a few cases of beer, you’ll need a few extra coolers.  Either that or you are rotating your beer through slowly melting ice and you won’t be happy when you are at the last of your beer and you’re drinking it warm.

Cover

If you are taking your beer from the store directly to the party where you will have refrigerators or coolers, then just cover the beer.  Make sure the sun doesn’t hit it through the windows or in the back of the truck.  An extra added measure would be to put your ice on top of the beer and then cover.  That way, the beer stays cool utilizing the ice you bought.

Trash Cans

Trash cans are great for just about any occasion.  Whether you are bringing the beer to the house or taking the beer somewhere else, have a trash can full of ice for beer transport.  A truck is normally best for this type of transportation.

Take an empty trash can to the store.  Buy your beer and ice.  Fill the trash can with the beer first, then dump the ice on top.  You can’t lose.  In fact, the transportation will make it possible for the ice to do its magic and make the beer even colder than it was when you bought it from the store.

Baby Pool

The baby pool is actually a fun way to get the party started.  Grab one from the store and bring it with you.  Fill it with beer and ice and let the party take it away.

Of course, after the party you can always give the baby pool to kids who will enjoy it.  Watch the adult kids take it over at the end of the party.  But, if it survives there will be some kids who will really appreciate having a pool to get cool.

Keg Coolers

Keg coolers are actually very unique.  They cover the keg and some have wheels for easy transport.  But, sitting inside a keg cooler your beer stays cool all day.  No matter if you are in the hot summer sun playing volleyball or touch football with your friends.  Your beer will always stay cool as the day fades into night.

Kegerators

Kegerators also keep your keg cool.  But, they have a different style all their own.  They can be rolled right out into the yard when you are having a backyard party and want the beer right there with you.  It’s better than running back in the house for every drink.  Plus, you can show off your beer handles sporting your taste in beer.

Of course, we are a creative beast.  Beer enthusiasts know how to take a situation and make the best out of it.  Put the beer in the river.  Hide it in the ground.  Place it under a tree in the shade.  There are plenty of ways to keep your beer cool, so make sure you know them so that you never drink a warm beer on a fun hot day.