This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Hunter Rising is a wikiHow Staff Writer based in Los Angeles. He has more than three years of experience writing for and working with wikiHow. Hunter holds a BFA in Entertainment Design from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Minor in English Writing.
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A keg is an excellent option for storing and dispensing large amounts of beer for any gathering.[1] Kegs make serving large numbers of party guests easy, and they also provide a hassle-free alternative for home brewers looking to escape the tedious process of cleaning and filling beer bottles individually. Kegs can be more difficult to keep cold than small bottles or cans, however, because they don't easily fit into most refrigerators. Learning how to chill a keg of beer requires a large container and lots of ice water.
Steps
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1Prepare a tub for the keg. To chill a keg, you will need a large, durable container into which the keg will fit with a little room surrounding it. The best option is buying a specialized keg tub, which can be found at many liquor stores and home brewing supply stores.
- Another ideal container is a large trash can. Most high-capacity outdoor trash cans can easily fit a keg of beer inside with room to spare.
- A third option is placing the keg of beer directly into a bathtub in your home. This will prevent you from having to procure a separate container, but will of course require your guests to fill their beer glasses from your bathroom.
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2Place a layer of ice into the container. After you have prepared a keg tub, pour a layer of ice into the bottom of the tub about 12 inches (30 cm) thick. This ice will rest underneath the keg and help keep it chilled.Advertisement
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3Lower the keg of beer into the keg tub. Partner with 1 or 2 other people to lift the keg into the tub. Lift the keg carefully and slowly, keeping it upright throughout. Lower it as gently as possible onto the layer of ice in the keg tub. Moving the keg around too much can cause the beer to be too foamy when dispensed.
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4Fill the remainder of the keg tub with ice. After the keg is lowered into the keg tub, pour ice into the tub until the keg is being contacted by ice over as much of its surface area as possible.
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5Add cold water to the keg tub. Ice alone will help chill the keg, but for the most effective chilling an ice water bath is preferable. Pour cold water over the ice in the keg tub until the water reaches the level of the ice.
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6Add more ice to the keg tub as it melts. To keep the keg chilled throughout your party or gathering, add fresh ice to the keg tub if too much has melted away. Excess water can be removed either by scooping it out with a pitcher or by punching a drain hole near the bottom of your keg tub.
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow much ice will be needed?
Community AnswerA 1 to 6 ratio of ice is probably the most efficient way. -
QuestionCan you chill a keg in the fridge, before putting in the beer hawk machine ?
Gareth WillsCommunity AnswerYes, but it would take a long time. You could put it in the freezer for a while, however, there is a chance it could burst if it is in there too long.
Things You'll Need
- Keg tub
- Keg
- Ice
- Water
- Pitcher
About This Article
To chill a keg of beer, you’ll need a plastic tub large enough to hold the keg and about 20 pounds of ice. To start, look for a plastic tub that’s at least 3-4 inches wider than the keg’s diameter. A standard full-size keg is usually about 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, but to be sure you can always ask at the liquor store where you’re renting the keg. Additionally, some liquor stores offer plastic tub rentals when you rent a keg with them. Once you have your tub, spread a thin, flat layer of ice onto the bottom of the tub. An even surface will help the keg from tipping over. Then, carefully place the keg into the middle of the tub. Pour about 10-15 pounds of ice around the keg, and pack the ice down tightly so the keg doesn’t shift around. Once the keg is in place, wait at least 2 hours before tapping it or else the beer will be too foamy. For more advice, like how to hook up a kegerator, read on!
