There is nothing better on a hot summer day than good food and an ice-cold drink. Maybe you just finished three grueling hours of yard work or a jog in the scorching sun.
All you want is to sit back, relax, and enjoy a cold drink.
Can you feel the sun on your face? Feel the refreshing sensation of a cold beverage on your lips?
Then it’s time to look into purchasing the newest game-changing trend that allows you to store ice and any cold beverages of your choice (we recommend beer, duh).
The beer bucket trend allows you to store drinks in a practical way that also looks nicer than throwing them in a cooler.
But before you buy beer buckets, read this helpful guide to the different options available for purchase.
Remember, not all beer buckets are made the same! Be sure you are purchasing the one that best suits your drinking needs.
The Beer Bucket Craze
If you’ve been to a bar in the past five years, especially one at or near a beach, you’ve probably seen a table of thirsty customers order a bucket of beer. And once you saw that, you were immediately been green with envy. Am I right?
The beer bucket trend has gained popularity because it is an easy way to order and store beers for a small group in a serve-yourself manner.
If you’re the one ordering the beers, it’s simple and easy. You can choose the variety of beer you want and order once instead of trying to get the attention of your server when you want another round.
If you own or work for a bar or restaurant that uses beer buckets, there are financial and branding advantages to using beer buckets. Not to mention it’s less work for the servers not having to go back and forth bringing more beers to your customers.
Beer in a bucket is instantly more fun and appealing then ordering a single bottle, can, or pint of beer at a bar. A beer bucket promotion at a bar is a great strategy to bring in more customers and ultimately make more money.
So if you haven’t gotten on board with the beer bucket craze, believe the hype! It’s a better way to serve an already awesome product.
Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!
If you want to purchase beer buckets there are a few things you should consider before making your purchase. Keep reading to find out more!
Types of Beer Buckets
You already know there a ton of different options for beers out there – IPAs, Pilsners, Stouts, Ales, and the list goes on. But did you know there are also different options for types of beer buckets to hold that delicious, foamy, goodness?
Probably not.
Here are a few of your options when choosing beer buckets.
Plastic Beer Buckets
The most basic form of beer bucket is made from plastic. Plastic buckets are a less expensive option if you aim to spend about one dollar or less per bucket. The price is the most appealing reason to purchase plastic buckets.
The other benefit of plastic beer buckets is that they are often sold in bulk with many different color and logo varieties available. You have the ability to select your favorite styles and order tens or even hundreds at a time.
Plastic beer buckets may not always come with handles, which may be an important consideration if the buckets will often be carried from one location to another. Be careful though, if the beers are heavy enough the plastic handle may not be strong enough to use and could break.
Generally speaking, however, these plastic beer buckets are very durable. You can expect to get a lot of use out of plastic buckets before having to dispose of them. They are easy to clean but are not dishwasher safe because the plastic may melt.
They are easy to stack and store as well!
The average size for a plastic beer bucket is about 5.5 quarts, but you may see some larger or smaller options out there as you look. The 5.5-quart option holds about five standard 12-ounce beers at one time with ice.
Because of their relatively low price point, plastic beer buckets also make great gifts or giveaway items. You can also use them to promote a product, event, or special occasion.
If you are looking for other promotional giveaway ideas, check out more options here!
Metal Beer Buckets
If you are looking to spend a little more money on your beer bucket to impress neighbors, friends, or customers, you may want to purchase the metal variety.
Typically the metal beer bucket comes in the same shape and size (5.5 quarts) as the plastic variety but offers a more upscale look like you would see at a beach bar. Metal beer buckets can be customized with different logos to personalize them as well.
The metal buckets may keep the ice from melting for longer, which is ideal on a hot day. Although different types of beers have different ideal temperatures for storage, there is no substitute for an ice-cold beer.
If you’re looking for another way to ensure your beer stays cold, look into purchasing koozies to insulate the bottle or can while you hold it.
Metal beer buckets usually come with handles for easy carrying and are also durable and easy to clean.
It is not advisable to put metal beer buckets in a dishwasher because it may discolor the metal.
Keep in mind when choosing between the plastic and metal version of the beer bucket, the metal bucket may be susceptible to dents if dropped or stored improperly.
Stainless Steel Beverage Tub
The difference between a beer bucket and a beverage tub usually comes down to shape and size.
Beverage tubs tend to be larger (up to 68 quarts) so that you could hold enough beverages for a large group of people without having to refill it. A beverage tub may also have more of an oval shape than the typical circular shape.
Stainless steel is one of the more common types of beverage tub because it is durable and aesthetically-pleasing. A stainless steel beverage tub is a good way to store drinks if you are hosting a more formal event either indoors or outdoors.
If you want to store a combination of beer, wine, or soft drinks in one place, the beverage tub might be the right option for you. The larger size allows for storage of different shapes and sizes of beverages.
Also due to the larger size, the stainless steel beverage tub is a little more challenging to transport. It is still easy to clean and will last a long time through many uses.
Galvanized Metal Beverage Tub
Uh, galvanized? What the heck does that mean?
Galvanized metal is a form of metal that is coated in zinc and therefore does not corrode as easily. For your beverage container, this means that it will last longer and not show signs of corrosion like discoloration or rust build-up.
If you invest in a more expensive beverage tub, like the galvanized metal version, it will not only be durable but you can plan to use it for many years if you take good care of it.
The shape and size are again more of an oval than a circle typically, and they are not as deep as the traditional beer bucket.
Acrylic Beverage Tub
An acrylic beverage tub is made from a form of plastic that is not only durable but generally scratch-proof. Usually, the acrylic beverage tub is clear but it can also come in a “cloudy” variety which is the same type of plastic but it is harder to see through.
The clear plastic appearance tends to look more formal than typical colored plastic and has the added benefit of being able to see the beverages inside.
Similar to the beverage tubs mentioned above, the acrylic variety usually comes in larger sizes. They are available from the 5-quart size up to the 68-quart size.
An acrylic beverage tub can store beer, wine, or any other drinks that you want to keep cool and is perfect for indoor and outdoor events alike.
Acrylic beverages tubs are easy to clean but over time you might notice the clear appearance becomes a bit hazy if you are using and washing it frequently.
Making Your Purchase
Is your head spinning from all the information above? Facing a little analysis paralysis?
Well, take a deep breath and focus on this list of questions that will help you narrow down your options to find the perfect option.
1. What Amount of Money Do You Want to Spend or Do You Have the Budget to Spend?
This question can help you narrow down your options based on your cashflow. Plastic is going to be the cheapest option but you may have to replace them more often. Metal or acrylic will be pricer but may last longer if taken care of properly.
2. What Size Beer Bucket Do You Need?
If you don’t care much about the material of the bucket itself you can make your purchase based on what you plan to serve in it and the quantity you anticipate serving.
Obviously, wine bottles are going to be larger and require more depth than beer bottles. Soft drinks or cans of beer will pretty much fit in any bucket, but you may run into the problem of having to stick your hand in ice-cold water to fish out your drink.
While you’re shopping for beer buckets be sure to look at the dimensions, not just the picture.
3. Where Do You Plan to Use It?
As highlighted above, different types of beer buckets and beverage tubs may fit better in different environments. For a casual, by-the-beach beer bucket, plastic could be perfect, but at a higher-end establishment or event maybe you would opt for a metal or acrylic variety.
Consider your venue and your audience before making your purchase. Would they be turned off by the use of plastic? Would they be impressed by a high-end galvanized metal bucket?
Also, if you anticipate a lot of wear and tear on the bucket, that might impact your decision as well.
4. Do You Want to Customize the Beer Bucket in Any Way?
If you want to personalize the beer bucket with a logo or another form of promotion that will also impact what type of bucket you choose.
For example, choosing a clear, acrylic variety would make lettering or a logo more difficult to see as compared to a plastic or metal variety.
Use the four questions above to narrow down your options for beer buckets and make a confident decision when you are ready to purchase.
I’m Ready to Purchase, Please!
Have you decided what you’re looking for? Close your eyes and imagine that perfect beer bucket filled with ice and filled to the brim with your favorite ice-cold beverage.
You can practically taste it, right?
Even if you think you have a little more browsing to do, check out some excellent, high-quality, customizable beer buckets here.
Once you’ve bought your dream beer bucket and are ready to put it to use, check out these additional tips on using a beer bucket to make sure you are getting the most out of your new purchase.
And if you are looking for additional personalized products like clothing, drinkware, or even beach towels check out our blog!