No one wants to spend their camping trip making endless ice runs, but it’s also not a secret that beer is infinitely better when it’s cold. So how do you keep your craft beer cold while camping? We’ve found the secret is in the right cooler, plenty of ice, and a few smart packing tips. Keep reading as we share how to keep your favorite beer refreshingly cold as you enjoy the great outdoors.
What Is the Best Way to Keep Beer Cold While Camping?
The best way to keep beer cold while camping is to chill it before leaving home, pack it tightly in a well-insulated cooler, surround it with plenty of ice or frozen packs, and limit how often the cooler opens. Keeping the cooler in the shade and separating drinks from frequently accessed food also helps keep a consistently cold temperature.
Start With Cold Beer Before Packing the Camping Cooler
The first rule of keeping beer cold while camping: start with cold beer. A cooler has to work harder when it’s loaded with room-temperature cans, bottles, crowlers, or growlers(opens in new tab). Pre-chilling everything, however, means the ice can maintain a cold environment instead of trying to create one.
We recommend refrigerating your beer at least 24 hours before your trip and waiting to load the cooler until right before you leave. Most beer stays freshest when it’s stored around 35°F to 45°F, so starting within that range gives you a strong head start.
It may be tempting to put your beer in the freezer to chill it, but we never recommend freezing beer. Frozen beer expands, which can damage the container and affect carbonation and mouthfeel. While cold beer is good, frozen beer is not.
How Should You Pack a Cooler to Keep Beer Cold?
A properly packed cooler(opens in new tab) keeps your beer colder for longer while camping. The most important thing to remember is that empty air space causes the cooler’s temperature to rise. That’s why you should pack the cooler by surrounding the beer with ice instead of just placing a layer of ice underneath it.
We recommend following these steps:
1. Pre-chill the cooler before packing it.
2. Load already refrigerated beer rather than room-temperature beer.
3. Place a layer of ice or frozen packs at the bottom.
4. Pack cans, bottles, crowlers, or growlers closely together.
5. Add ice around and above the beverages.
6. Fill unnecessary empty spaces with additional ice or frozen packs.
7. Close the lid securely and keep it closed until you need something.
This strategy gives the beer more contact with cold surfaces and reduces the amount of warm air that’s circulating inside the cooler.
Use Plenty of Ice for Cold Craft Beer at the Campsite
Other than a high-quality cooler, ice is the key to keeping your beer cold while camping. It’s better to pack a little too much than it is to discover warm beer around the campfire later.
Block ice and reusable frozen packs provide long-lasting cooling, and loose ice effectively fills the gaps around the containers. We’ve found that using both works especially well on longer trips.
We also recommend keeping meltwater in the cooler as long as everything remains securely sealed and sanitary. That ice-cold water surrounds the beverages and helps keep heat away from them.
Keep the Beer Cooler in the Shade
Even a high-quality cooler can’t stand up to a full afternoon baking in direct sunlight. Look for the shadiest practical location at your campsite and place your cooler there. We’ve found under a picnic table, beneath a canopy, under tree cover, or even next to the shaded side of a vehicle to all be good options.
Use a Separate Drink Cooler on Camping Trips
Every time you open a cooler, warm air enters and cold air escapes. A cooler that’s filled with breakfast ingredients, sandwich supplies, snacks, and beer can easily be opened dozens of times throughout the day.
Having a separate cooler for beverages makes it easier to keep beer cold while camping. That way, the beer cooler stays closed between rounds instead of being opened every time someone wants mustard, fruit, or tomorrow morning’s bacon.
How Do You Keep a Growler Cold While Camping?
A fresh growler is always a great choice for a camping weekend, but it does need a little extra attention. Be sure to keep it upright, cold, and protected from direct sunlight. Pack your growler securely so it doesn’t roll around or hit harder items inside the cooler.
We recommend keeping freshly filled growlers chilled until you’re ready to enjoy them. Once it’s opened, a growler tastes best when it’s finished relatively quickly, which makes it a great option for sharing fresh beer with your fellow campers.
Choose Camping-Friendly Craft Beer Styles
Of course, temperature matters, but choosing the right beer can also make your camping trip even better. We love refreshing, approachable styles that pair naturally with warm afternoons, grilled food, and time spent outdoors.
Pilsners: Crisp, refreshing, and especially satisfying after a warm day outside.
Kölsch-style beers: Light-bodied and easy drinking without sacrificing character.
Blonde ales: Approachable options that work well when a camping group has different tastes.
Wheat beers: Refreshing choices that bring citrus, spice, or soft fruit notes to the campsite.
Session IPAs: A good match when you want hop aroma and flavor in a lighter, highly drinkable package.
Things to Avoid When Storing Beer Outdoors
Try to avoid these common mistakes that shorten how long your beer stays cold.
– Putting warm beer directly into the cooler at the start of the trip.
– Leaving the cooler in direct sunlight.
– Opening the cooler repeatedly just to see what’s inside.
– Leaving cans, bottles, crowlers, or growlers sitting around your campsite after taking them from the cooler.
– Leaving bottles exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time.
The basic principle to keep beer cold while camping is simple: keep it cold, dark, protected, and at a consistent temperature.
Bring Fresh Craft Beer from The Growler Guys Along for the Adventure
Knowing how to keep beer cold while camping helps make the adventure more enjoyable. Of course, choosing that beer is also enjoyable. At The Growler Guys(opens in new tab), our certified Beer Stewards are ready to help you explore our rotating tap list to find the perfect beer for your camping trip. From pilsners and IPAs to ciders(opens in new tab) and kombucha, you’ll find the perfect craft beverage to savor around the campfire. Stop in for a pint, flight, or growler fill today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will beer stay cold in a camping cooler?
The exact time depends on the cooler, outdoor temperature, amount of ice, and how often you open the lid. You’ll get better results if you pre-chill the beer and cooler, pack plenty of ice around the beverages, keep the cooler full, and store it in the shade.
Should you put ice on top of beer in a cooler?
Yes. We recommend surrounding the beer with ice and adding ice above it rather than relying only on a layer at the bottom. More contact between the cold ice and beverage containers helps the cooler maintain a consistently cold environment.
Can you take a growler camping?
Yes. We recommend chilling the growler before you leave, packing it upright in a well-insulated cooler, protecting it from direct sunlight, and keeping it cold until serving. Once opened, we recommend enjoying the beer relatively quickly while its carbonation and fresh character remain at their best.
Should beer go in a separate cooler from camping food?
A separate drink cooler can help on longer trips or group outings because people frequently open a food cooler. Less frequent openings allow the beverage cooler to hold its cold temperature more effectively and make it easier to organize drinks at camp.
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