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Walking into your favorite craft brewery or growler bar with the GrowlerWerks uKeg will catch the eyes of craft beer amateurs and veterans alike.
I had always admired these hefty beauties but they’re a big investment, even for the most serious of craft beer drinkers.
In my opinion, though, it’s a worthwhile investment…
GrowlerWerks uKeg Pressurized Growler Review
So when GrowlerWerks asked if I could do an honest review of their pressurized growler, I couldn’t say no!
After spending almost two weeks with the uKeg growler, my life has been changed. Now I can never go back to a regular growler.
Buy the uKeg 64 oz Pressurized Growler for Craft Beer on Amazon here or upgrade to then big daddy 128oz here.
I must admit, since moving to Texas my growler game had seriously diminished. That’s probably due to TABC and their backward laws that used to restrict many breweries from selling their beer on-site, to-go.
Thank goodness that is now no longer an issue in Texas!
What I’ve found to be great about the uKeg specifically, is how I can keep those seasonal brews or beers from the microbreweries, fresh and in my fridge.
This growler lets you enjoy those beers just like you would if you ordered at the brewery or got it straight from the tap.
There is a bit of a ‘learning curve’ when switching from the ways of a standard growler to a pressurized growler like the uKeg.
That’s why I’ve included easy step-by-step instructions to using and cleaning the growler, as well as tips to getting the best, freshest pour every time.
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Beautiful, Eye-Catching, and Functional
Disclosure: I received the standard 64-ounce uKeg pressurized growler from Growlerwerks in exchange for this honest review.
GrowlerWerks has created a sleek, heavy-duty growler that is for serious beer drinkers.
The uKeg is an investment but it means enjoying fresh craft beer in reasonable quantities without letting oxygen ruin the beer.
There are two size options for the uKeg : 64-ounce and 128-ounce. Both sizes are available either copper-plated or the standard silver.
After placing one of the two included CO2 cartridges (each one lasts a growler fill) into the cap, you fill the growler with beer, screw on the cap, and adjust the dial the appropriate pressure.
A pressure gauge on the front of the growler tells you how many pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure is inside the growler so that you can adjust the dial accordingly.
I stretched one growler fill across a full week and found that the first pint was just as fresh and carbonated as the first.
If you’re worried about the expense of buying CO2 cartridges, no worries! You can find them cheap on Amazon. Get a pack of 10 for less than $20. Link here.
Read This: The Ultimate Gift Guide for Craft Beer Lovers!
GrowlerWerks uKeg Instructions
The uKeg might seem complicated, but once you figure out how to adjust and work the pressure, it’s quite easy! Don’t get thrown off by all the steps, I had this process down by my second growler fill.
- Make sure the silver dial is in the off position, then install the CO2 cartridge into the sleeve.
- Tighten the sleeve fast and hard- you’ll hear air escaping if you don’t twist fast enough!
- Clean your uKeg growler before your first fill.
- Head to your favorite brewery or growler bar and ask for a fill of your desired brew.
- Cap your uKeg and turn the pressure on slightly.
- Then, just pour and enjoy!
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uKeg Carbonation Guide
GrowlerWerks knows no one likes flat beer, but too much foam in the wrong beer isn’t fun either. That’s why they’ve provided the chart below to help you choose the right carbonation for your brew.
I found that this is the tricky part, but really, there’s no way you can screw things up too badly.
If you see the beer is coming out too foamy, turn down the pressure, and vice versa.
And keep in mind, this is just a guide, you can always experiment to suit your own taste!
| Beer Type | PSI |
|---|---|
| Stouts, Porters, Cream Ales, Barley Wines | 3-6 PSI |
| Brown Ales, Ambers, Red Ales | 5-8 PSI |
| IPAs, Pale Ales, Wheat Beers, Other Ales | 7-10 PSI |
| Lagers, Pilsners, Ciders, Kombuchas | 9-12 PSI |
| Wine | 12-15 PSI |
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uKeg Growler Maintenance and Care
Before your first fill, or for deeper cleans every few fills, follow the below steps. For general cleanings, gently wash with soap and water.
- Remove the cap and fill uKeg with hot water. Dump out and repeat twice more.
- Rinse cap and cartridge sleeve with hot water.
- Shake with tap open facing downward.
- Fill with hot water and 1 tablespoon of bake soda.
- Shake well and let sit for ten minutes.
- Empty bottle and rinse all parts. Move tap handle several times during the rinse.
- Allow to dry with the cap off and tap open.
To Clean the Cap and CO2 Sleeve:
- Soak cap in hot water with one tablespoon of baking soda.
- Remove the sleeve from the cap and places in hot water until there are no more bubbles coming out.
- Turn dial fully in both directions a few times underwater.
- Shake and let soak for ten minutes.
- Remove cap and rinse.
For complete instructions, how-to videos, and to shop, visit the official GrowlerWerks page here.
Do you have an uKeg growler? Let me know in the comments!
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