Whether you’re at a summer festival, a tailgate party, or a backyard BBQ, nothing beats the joy of sipping a cold draft beer. While kegs offer a cost-effective way to serve beer in large quantities, traditional tap systems can be cumbersome and challenging to transport. Enter the jockey box – a portable and efficient solution for beer dispensing. In this blog post, we will explore what a jockey box is, how it works, and why it’s becoming a popular choice for beer enthusiasts and event organizers alike.

What is a Jockey Box?

A jockey box, also known as a “beer box” or “cold plate,” is a compact, portable, and insulated container used to dispense draft beer on-the-go. The primary purpose of a jockey box is to maintain the beer’s cold temperature from the keg to the tap, ensuring that every pour is crisp and refreshing.

How Does a Jockey Box Work?

At its core, a jockey box operates on a simple principle – cooling the beer as it travels from the keg to the faucet. The typical components of a jockey box include:

1. Cooler: The heart of the jockey box, the cooler is an insulated container that holds the ice and keeps the beer cold.
2. Coils or Cold Plates: Inside the cooler, you’ll find stainless steel coils or cold plates. These are responsible for chilling the beer. The coils/cold plates are connected to the keg and the faucet.
3. Faucet: The faucet, usually located on the front of the cooler, is where the beer is dispensed into glasses or cups.
4. Shanks and Hardware: Shanks connect the coils or cold plates to the faucet, and hardware secures everything in place.

How to Use a Jockey Box?

Using a jockey box is straightforward:

1. Prepare the Cooler: Fill the cooler with ice, ensuring the coils or cold plates are fully submerged.
2. Connect the Keg: Attach the beer line from the keg to the input of the coils or cold plates.
3. Dispense Beer: Open the faucet, and the chilled beer will flow through the coils or cold plates, maintaining its cold temperature until it reaches your glass.

Why Choose a Jockey Box?

1. Portability: Unlike traditional tap systems, jockey boxes are lightweight and compact, making them easy to transport and set up at various events and locations.
2. Efficiency: Jockey boxes can cool beer quickly, ensuring that you serve a constant stream of refreshing brews without the need for electricity.
3. Ideal for Outdoor Events: Perfect for outdoor events, where access to electricity may be limited, a jockey box ensures that your beer stays cold for the duration of the gathering.
4. Minimal Maintenance: Jockey boxes require little maintenance compared to more complex draft systems, making them a convenient choice for beer enthusiasts on-the-go.

Conclusion

The jockey box has revolutionized how we dispense draft beer in a portable and efficient manner. With its ease of use, portability, and ability to keep the beer cold, it has become a popular choice for events and gatherings of all sizes. So, the next time you’re planning a picnic, hosting a party, or attending an outdoor festival, consider adding a jockey box to your beer-serving arsenal for a hassle-free and enjoyable beer-drinking experience. Cheers!