Growlerwerks uKeg review

Is the Growlerwerks uKeg worth it?

Taking your favorite beer to a party, camping trip or music festival can be challenging. They take up a lot of space, create a lot of waste and may get skunked. Growlers make it easier to take beer on the go, as they let you store the equivalent of several cans of beer in a single container.

The Growlerwerks uKeg is a stylish option that aims to simulate drinking beer from a tap. The BestReviews Testing Lab tested it to see if it was worth the investment.

Testing the Growlerwerks uKeg

The BestReviews Testing Lab strives to investigate every claim the brand or manufacturer makes about the product. For this article, the testing team examined the uKeg’s packaging, ensuring it could keep the growler safe during shipping. They then read the manual and timed how long it took them to assemble the uKeg. 

After assembling the growler, they tested the locking mechanism and tap. Next, they left beer in it throughout the day to see how long it stayed cold. Finally, they replaced the CO2 canister, paying close attention to the difficulty level of this process and the amount of time required.

What is the Growlerwerks uKeg?

The Growlerwerks uKeg is a pressurized growler made of double-walled stainless steel with a vacuum-insulated design. The manufacturer claims it can keep beer carbonated for weeks and cold throughout the day. 

While testing the uKeg, the testing team found it can keep beer cold for around six hours outside of a refrigerator. The uKeg also has a pressure-regulating cap that lets you adjust the pressure inside the growler to serve your beer like a keg.

It has a modern design, a customizable handle and a convenient tap that dispenses beer easily. The beer dispenses at a speed comparable to other beer taps, and you can increase the flow rate with the pressure dial. Still, if you set the pressure too high, you’ll have foamy beer.

See how it compares to other products in its space — check out our reviews for the best growlers.

Growlerwerks uKeg price and where to buy

The uKeg costs $199 and is available on Amazon.

How to use the Growlerwerks uKeg

The uKeg’s setup process was straightforward. It involved washing out the growler, inserting a CO2 cartridge into the sleeve, attaching the sleeve to the lid and screwing it in place. The testing team was able to set it up in about 15 minutes with the help of the manual and a how-to video.

When filling the uKeg from a tap or having a beverage center do it for you, it’s crucial to let the foam subside and release pressure by dispensing some beer. After the growler is filled, you can set it to your desired PSI with the regulator cap; the manual includes PSI recommendations for various types of beer.

It has a locking mechanism on the tap to keep it from releasing beer or pressure. The locking mechanism is a simple pin that you push in and out to engage or disengage. The testing team noticed occasional drops and spikes in PSI, but it was likely due to an atmospheric effect. 

Growlerwerks uKeg benefits

The uKeg was easy to set up and use. Most beverage centers can fill it for you, and filling it yourself is simple once you get the hang of it. Still, it's important to read the manual before filling it.

You don’t have to worry about it depressurizing before you finish your beer, and replacing the CO2 canisters is easy. The pressure cap is a handy feature, and the manual has helpful recommendations for optimizing the PSI for specific beer types. Additionally, the locking mechanism does an excellent job of keeping beer from spilling out.

The modern design is impressive, and it’s available in three colors and two sizes. It seems durable and surprisingly light. 

The speed at which beer is released is standard, and you can alter it to fit your preferences. Having the option to replace the handle is a nice touch, and it doesn’t produce much foam when using the correct pressure settings. Still, despite the manual’s suggestions, this can take some experimentation to perfect. 

Growlerwerks uKeg drawbacks

Although Growlerwerks claims the uKeg keeps beer cold for eight hours, our test indicates it’s closer to around six hours. At about eight hours, the beer was warm and almost all foam. It's worth noting that this likely varies depending on environmental conditions.

There is a bit of a learning curve. The manual gives helpful instructions, but some of their recommendations resulted in foamy beer. In some cases, our tester had to set the PSI lower than the manual’s recommendation to avoid foam. Finally, it’s relatively expensive, so it may not be the most economical choice for casual drinkers.

Should you get the Growlerwerks uKeg?

Beer enthusiasts and homebrewers will love its easy operation, stylish design and solid build. It’s an excellent choice for keeping drinks cold for a few hours at a time, and dispensing beer like you would with a keg is a fun experience. However, at its price point, those who don’t drink often aren’t likely to get their money's worth.

There are cheaper options for those who don’t mind pouring their beer, and the CO2 cartridge costs can add up over time. Still, the Growlerwerks uKeg is worth checking out if you're a beer enthusiast.