Beer Chillers: How Do They Work?

Beer chillers are a handy way to keep your drink cool without having to wait for it to chill in the fridge or risk it becoming watered down with ice. There are several types of beer chillers, from freezer sticks to rapid drink chillers and glycol cooling systems, all of which work to keep your beer at the perfect temperature. So, how do they work?

Glycol chiller systems

In a glycol chiller system, the beer passes through tubes to a chiller plate and becomes cold. This is achieved by forcing a cold liquid (glycol) along the tubes to the chiller plate, which is typically made of cast aluminium, and then through the tap system. The glycol never comes into direct contact with the beer.

Glycol is a non-evaporating refrigeration liquid that can achieve cold temperatures without freezing. It is often mixed with water, allowing the mixture to go below the freezing point of water, resulting in faster cooling. The glycol lines are bundled inside an insulating foam rubber tube, alongside the multiple beer lines. By pumping chilled glycol through these lines, the beer is kept cold, maintaining a temperature within one degree of the temperature in the walk-in cooler.

Beer chiller sticks

There are a few things to consider when buying beer chiller sticks. Firstly, it's important to find chillers that are easy to use and can fit into both bottles and glasses. Secondly, the chiller sticks should seal tightly to the mouth of the bottle to prevent leaks. Lastly, effectiveness is key; some chillers only maintain the temperature of pre-cooled beer, while others can actively cool down the beer.

• Beer Chiller Sticks for Bottles: These cooling sticks use a thermal cooling gel that, when frozen, helps bring down the temperature of your beer. They are designed to fit inside bottles and create an airtight seal, allowing for easy drinking without leaks.
• Brew House Beer Chillers: These chillers contain a cooling liquid that freezes in 45 minutes and helps instantly cool your drink. Made of stainless steel, they keep your beer colder for longer. The rubber seal prevents leaks, and their eight-inch length makes them compatible with most standard bottle sizes.
• Corkcicle Chillsner Beer Chiller: This chiller stands out for its four flow vents that ensure a smooth and consistent flow of beer. They are also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easier.
• Kollea Beer Chiller Sticks for Bottles: Users recommend these stainless steel beer chillers for keeping bottled beverages cold, including beer, wine coolers, and soda. They are known for their secure and leak-proof design, and they even include a bottle opener.

Remote line coolers

The use of remote line coolers is particularly important for maintaining the quality of the beer. By keeping the beer at a consistent, cool temperature, these coolers prevent the formation of bacteria in the lines. Additionally, they help to prevent the beer from pouring foamy, ensuring that each pint is served with a smooth, creamy head.

There are a variety of remote line coolers available on the secondhand market, offering different features and specifications. For example, some coolers come with a full complement of 3/8" John Guest fittings, while others offer a range of coil lengths to accommodate different setups. When selecting a remote line cooler, it is important to consider the cubic capacity and whether the cellar is located above or below ground.

In addition to their primary function of chilling the beer, remote line coolers can also provide a number of ancillary functions. For instance, they can be used to supply chilled water to external pods, which maintain the taps at an extra-cold temperature at the point of dispense. They can also be used to supply cask beer cooling jackets, ensuring that even without a cellar cooling system, the beer remains at the optimal temperature.

Overall, remote line coolers are an essential investment for any pub, club, or restaurant serving draught beer. By maintaining the beer at the ideal temperature, these coolers help to ensure the quality and taste of the beer, providing customers with a pleasant drinking experience.

Rapid drink chillers

The Cooper Cooler One Minute Drink Chiller is a popular option in this category. It can chill cans of soda or beer down to 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 degrees Celsius) in about a minute, and larger bottles in three to four minutes. It also has a no-spin option to protect delicate wines from being shaken up too much.

Another method to rapidly chill beer is by using a glycol chiller system. This system is commonly used in bars, taverns, and pubs, and is ideal for long-draw setups where the chiller is at least 75 feet away from the dispensing point. Glycol is a non-evaporating refrigeration liquid that can achieve cold temperatures without freezing. In this system, the beer lines are combined side by side with glycol lines, which are bundled inside an insulating foam rubber tube. By pumping chilled liquid glycol through these lines, the beer is chilled and maintained within one degree of the temperature in the walk-in cooler.

Walk-in coolers

One example is the Polar King walk-in beer cooler, which offers optimal temperature ranges and energy-efficient performance. The company has been manufacturing commercial walk-in beer coolers, beer caves, and keg coolers for nearly 40 years. Their units are made with a seamless fiberglass design and can be customised to match the existing design of a building, including the addition of features such as brick, stucco, or tile finishes.

Another option is to build a walk-in cooler using a CoolBot and a standard air conditioner. This is a more affordable solution compared to conventional refrigeration systems, with lower upfront costs, monthly operating expenses, and technician visit fees. The CoolBot is effective at maintaining the ideal temperature for a tap room, ensuring that the beer is cold and refreshing without being too frothy.

For those looking for an even larger option, the Brew Cave® is the largest kegerator on the residential market. It can hold over 30 cases of beer, as well as 6 kegs, and maintains a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit features modular panels with 4" thick vapor-proof insulation and includes a draft beer dispensing system.

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