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Mug & Bottle Chillers
These refrigeration units are designed to store and cool bottles, such as beer, wine, or spirits. They
are typically compact and designed to fit under the bar counter or in other convenient locations for
easy access by bartenders. These units are engineered for quick cooling, ensuring that bottles are
ready to serve at optimal temperatures and that glasses have a frosty exterior, enhancing the drinking
experience. As noted above, the glass/mug chilling trend has changed; however, chilling bottles of beer
is important when back bar space is limited.
Bottle and mug chillers are essential tools for bars and restaurants looking to enhance their beverage
service. By providing perfectly chilled beverages and frosty mugs, these units contribute to a better
customer experience while also improving service efficiency. When selecting a chiller, it’s important
to consider factors like capacity, energy efficiency, and placement to ensure it meets your operational
needs. One challenge with these units is they are often manual defrost and with the frosting of mugs,
glasses or bottles, is something to consider over the long term.
In addition to self-contained, draft beer & wine coolers,
there are beer and wine systems that are installed and
serviced by dedicated technicians specializing in this
area of commercial foodservice. It is a good idea to
learn about the different types and how they work so you
can choose the best option for your establishment.
When considering a draft beer system, think about where the beer kegs will be stored compared
to where the taps are as well as how many types of beer and/or wine you want to offer. This
helps decide if you need a system where the beer is kept close to the taps, or if it can be further
away with draft lines such as a walk-in cooler.
With craft beer very popular, tap systems are getting bigger & more sophisticated including
several taps of various types of beer and/or wine on tap. There are cheaper systems where
the beer doesn’t have to travel far to reach the tap, and more expensive ones where the beer
travels through special lines with glycol to chill the product to the correct temperatures. New
technology in beer systems helps keep the beer tasting good all the way from the keg to the tap.
Some systems even have special taps that keep the foam down, so there is little waste.
PRO TIPS: Choosing Beer and Wine Systems