How to keep beer cold at a festival
The one question on everyone’s mind when festival season rolls around isn’t “When is my favourite band on”. It’s “How do I stop my beer from going warm?”. It’s an age-old question. Like: Why is the sky blue? Why did the chicken cross the road? And, why do the inside of figs look like that?
We’ll be honest, the British weather might just keep your beers cold for you (downpour, anyone?). But if you’re lucky and your festival weekend isn’t a washout, here’s how to keep those beers as frosty as possible.
A bucket and ice: The obvious
It’s a classic for a reason. A bucket (flexi or otherwise) filled with ice and beer keeps them nice and cold for a decent while. Although it probably won’t last longer than an afternoon so be prepared to keep refilling the ice each day. Team up with your mates for ice runs (if there’s a shop nearby). You can use the water to wash up when you’re done too, you environmental king.
Pack the kitchen sink: Getting creative
Okay, don’t actually pack a sink. And definitely don’t steal your mum’s washing up bowl. But the concept is the same. Grab a plastic wash basin and a pack of emergency foil blankets (the ones that make you look and sound like a roast chicken). Fill the basin with water, add your cans, and cover the whole thing with the foil blanket. The foil keeps the heat out and the water keeps your beer cool for a surprising amount of time.
Make a homemade fridge: The resourceful one
Whether or not you’re allowed to bring this in with you will depend on the festival you’re attending. But if you are allowed to bring a couple of terracotta pots and some sand in with you, this is a great way to keep things chilled.
Basically, take a large terracotta pot and put a slightly smaller one inside it. Then, pack the gap between them with wet sand. Add a lid, like a plate or something. And you’ve just made a mini fridge. The terracotta lets a little moisture through and the evaporation means the inner pot stays surprisingly cool. Perfect for cooling a few cans at a time.
Freeze your beer at home: Risky but rewarding
This one’s a little risky so do it at your own risk. Take half of your beer cans and freeze them before heading to the festival. Chill the others in the fridge. Pack them all up in a cooler. The frozen ones keep the non-frozen ones nice and cold and, once they’ve defrosted, you can also drink them. Beware though: Frozen cans can explode. So you might have a bit of a mess to clean up when you get back home.
Alternatively, freeze some large bottles of water instead. Then you can either drink them. Or wash with them when the lines to the showers get too long. Result!
Bury it under your tent: The rogue one
Maybe don’t actually dig a hole under your tent. Instead, just tuck your beers under your groundsheet. On the shadiest side. The cooler temp of the ground in the shade will make sure your beer doesn’t get too warm. Especially at night when the temp drops a bit. This is a rogue one but pretty solid according to festival goers.
Grab a cooler: The smart choice
Why work harder when you can work smarter? Obviously a cooler is the best way to keep your beers cold at a festival. Some fancy ones can keep your beer cold for 5 or so days (ooh err). Or you can opt for cooler bags that collapse down when you’re done drinking (responsibly). OR you could go for a cool (pun intended) Psychedelic Can Holder. It carries 9 cans of your favourite Beavertown beer. And keeps them cool just long enough to enjoy them. And then, it squishes flat so you don’t have to carry out a big clunky cooler when you’re headed home.
Keeping those all-important beers cool at your next festival is almost as important as making sure you’ve got enough deodorant for the weekend. Or a tent. Or clothes. Don’t forget to pick up a couple beer cases of your favourite Beavertown brew either. Whether your festival weekend is a sunny success or a total washout, here’s what to wear to a music festival.
