How To Keep Beer Cold Without A Cooler?

You’re at an outdoor party with friends, and you reach out for a can of beer, but… it’s kind of warm… Getting the beer was your job, and everyone counted on you. And the beer was cold when you got to the party, but now it’s too warm to really enjoy it. So what happens? What can you do if you need a cooler or fridge nearby? How to keep beer cold without a cooler at an outdoor party?

Far from electricity or a cold fridge, keeping your beer cold is tough. Yeah, you could use ice, but where do you get it? What if you want to drink a beer with friends and it’s too warm? Here’s what to try:

#1 – Wet Paper – The Old School Way Of Keeping Drinks Cold

You probably heard about this method from your parents or grandparents. They used newspapers back in the day, but you can rarely find one nowadays. Instead, use paper towels or napkins. Soak them in water and wrap the beer cans or bottles just like when you do paper-mâché. Wrap the can or bottle in multiple layers if possible, and leave it in a shady, cool spot for at least 30 minutes. The method works better if you find a windy spot, where fresh air circulates freely. Your beer will chill and will stay cold thanks to the chilling effect of water and wind (another term for the phenomenon is evaporative cooling). 

Quick fact: Paper-mâché is a crafting method that uses paper and paste (usually adhesives based on water) to create objects. The paper pieces are glued in multiple layers on an object to create various toys, sculptures, or miniatures. 

#2 – Bury Your Beer

Underground cooling may sound a little weird, but it does work. You’ll just have to dig a shallow hole in sand or dirt. The hole should be at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep, and line it with paper or cloth. Ideally, look for a place with plenty of shade and cooler soil. Cover the cans and bottles with another piece of cloth, paper, or plastic bag, and add another layer of soil on top of it. The cans and bottles must be fully submerged. The top layer of soil should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) to keep the beer cool. Wait for about 30 minutes – your beer should be cooler! Leave them overnight; they will be even colder and fresher in the morning!

#3 – Salt Water Bath

Get a bag of salt and water and try this method to cool your beers in just a few hours! Fill a small container with cold water, add several spoons of salt, and submerge the beer cans or bottles. Leave them for about one to two hours to get the best results. 

This method works because salt lowers the freezing temperature of the water, making it colder much quicker when compared to regular water. Salt has a cooling effect on liquids, making it useful in ice cream production. Add ice to get even faster results!

#4 – Cool Water Method

This method is pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people simply don’t know anything about it. If you’re camping by a river, creek, beach, or lake, just submerge the beer cans or bottles in water. Use a rock or other heavy object to keep them in place. You can also tie them with a piece of string. Leave them in the cold water for at least 30 minutes to get the best results. Leave it overnight to make sure your beer is really chilled. 

#5 – Use Sand To Cover The Beers

Are you at the beach, and the sun is burning? Stop your beers from getting too warm by covering them with a 3 to 5-inch (7 to 12 cm) layer of sand. This is an excellent idea to stop your beers from getting too warm (it doesn’t necessarily get them cooler, especially during the summer). Use wet sand to get even better, faster results. Wet sand and the beach breeze create a cooling effect, so your beers will keep cooler for longer. 

#6 – Water Bags And Ice Baths

Obviously, you’ll need a bag of ice. Get a large container and fill it with ice or ice-cold water. Submerge the beers in the container for at least 30 minutes. If you don’t have a large container, use ice bags (ice is available in large bags at most stores). Just put the beer bottles and cans in the bag, and as the ice melts, your beers will get cooler. You can also place the bags around the beers without having to submerge them in water. Do this overnight to ensure the beers are cold and ready for the next day! The perfect bitter refreshment!

#7 – Snow, snow, and more snow

This is probably the easiest method to cool your beer… Obviously, you’ll need snow for this method. If you are surrounded by snow, just dig out a hole and put the beer bottles and cans for at least 15 minutes. Don’t bury them too deep, as they can freeze! 

#8 – Clay Pot Method

Get two clay pots (you can also use plastic pots, but they are not good insulators), one smaller and one larger. The smaller one should be large enough for 2 to 5 cans or bottles of beer. The larger one should be able to hold the smaller one, with about half-inch (1 cm) of clearance on each side. Make sure to plug the bottom of both pots to keep the sand inside. 

Place sand in the larger pot. Fill the space carefully between the two pots – they should be neatly placed, and there should not be any air pockets. Add icy-cold water to the sand, let it soak, and add more until it creates small pools.

Then, add the beer cans or bottles to the smaller pot. Place them vertically so they don’t spill in case they break. Place a wet towel over both pots. The towel can be made of fabric, or you can use multiple layers of wet paper towels or newspapers. Make sure they cover the pots completely – there should not be any openings (create a tight seal around the rims). According to archaeological evidence, this is an ancient pot fridge used by ancient civilizations. Leave the beers for about 3 to 4 hours in a shaded place. The evaporation effect will cool your beers in no time! Leave them overnight to make sure they are really chilled!

Wrapping it up – How To Keep Beer Cold Without A Cooler?

Warm beer? It happens, but don’t worry. You should never give up and drink warm beer! These low-tech options are perfect for cooling your beer to acceptable, drinkable levels. They are also great ways to keep them cooler for longer, for those long days far away from a cooler or fridge! Just be creative, and your beer will be cooler! (just beware of cold sores!)