Beer poured fresh from the tap is often far superior to that in cans or bottles, but it usually takes a lot of work to achieve this at home. The GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler is pressurized to keep the beer inside carbonated, so it pours just like it would from a tap in a brewery or bar.
GrowlerWerks claims that the uKeg makes it easy to pour beer. It's said to show how much beer is left and has a carbonation cap that automatically regulates the pressure.
We wanted to test these claims and see whether the GrowlerWerks uKeg Carbonated Growler is worth buying. We tried it out, and this is what we found.
At BestReviews, we want to find out how products perform in the real world. Testing in a lab is good for some things, but sometimes you only come across issues when you use a product regularly in a home environment.
That's why we have a group of testers to whom we send products, letting them try them out in their own homes for several weeks. For this article, our tester was a beer fan who had never tried using a growler before, so they were new to the technology, just like many buyers would be.
The GrowlerWerks uKeg is part growler, part mini keg. It holds 64 ounces of beer (although there's also a larger 128-ounce version) and has a tap to pour from. Since it's airtight, it keeps beer fresh and carbonated for up to two weeks. It's also vacuum insulated and claims to keep beer cold for eight hours.
We tested the 64-ounce uKeg, which costs roughly $200 and is available from Amazon. There's also a 128-ounce version that costs around $220.
The first step is to clean your growler. You only need to wash it with warm water, but you should rinse it several times to get rid of any dust or debris. You'll also need to wash the cartridge sleeve and lid. Next, you insert the CO2 cartridge into the sleeve and screw it in place.
Now your growler is ready to fill. Generally, you'll take it to a taproom or brewery, where the staff will do this for you.
You can also use it to store and dispense already carbonated home-brew beer or to force-carbonate home-brewed beer that hasn't yet been carbonated. However, this is a fairly complex process, so you'll need to see the manufacturer's instructions. If you're interested in DIY brewing, you might want to try a home beer-brewing kit to get you started.
We found the GrowlerWerks uKeg met our expectations and most of the product claims. While it could have kept beer cool for longer, it still kept it fresh and it was easy to pour and adjust the pressure.
Whether it's right for you depends on how you like to enjoy beer. If you want to go to your favorite taproom and buy draft beer to drink at home, this growler is worth it. It's also great if you want to store or force-carbonate home-brewed beer. However, the price means it might not be worth it for anyone other than serious beer aficionados.
Stanley Classic Easy-Pour Growler
This 64-ounce growler might not have an integrated tap, but the airtight seal keeps beer carbonated while the insulated walls keep it cool. It's dishwasher-safe and completely leakproof, so you can safely throw it in a pack for a hike or picnic.
Sold by Amazon
With a 128-ounce capacity, this pressurized mini keg is great for small gatherings and fits in a standard home fridge or a large cooler. Like the uKeg, it uses CO2 to help you achieve a perfect pour.
Sold by Amazon
This pressurized keg keeps beer fresh and carbonated for up to three months, though it's unlikely to hang around for long enough for you to find out. It's great for home brewing, or you can have it filled up at a taproom.
Sold by Amazon
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
