Once Upon a Keg...

In July 2009, four guys braved the elements, cramped quarters, and the perilous advances of a ferocious bear (Alright, it may have been a squirrel, but it was huge! ),  and set out to camp in the picturesque Lake Erie region of Pennsylvania.

Albert, Doug, Mark, and Todd had planned for every gastronomical need to create a campground feast, but the four were tight on space.  Because the RV's refrigerator was overflowing with food, there was no room for beverages inside.  Deciding that a keg would be the most economical and space efficient way of bringing beer, Mark set up a system known as a "jockey box."  While it was a functional solution, it was far from ideal.

Setting up the system took longer than expected.  The component parts had to be assembled and tested before the first drop was poured.  The keg was housed in an oversized bucket filled with ice.  While the bucket was hidden under a table and tablecloth the ice had to be continually replaced in the sweltering heat.  The table-top cooler with tubing and hoses needed frequent attention to make sure connections were staying secure, or else the beer would become too frothy.

In short, there had to be a better way.  Ducking inside during a summer thunderstorm, the guys had a flash of inspiration.  What if you could contain a keg in an easy to set-up and transport container?  It would need to be sturdy, yet compact.  It would also need to be simple enough that even a beer novice could pour a glass without the least bit of effort.  In this moment Portabeer LLC and its signature product, the PortaKeg, were created.

While the product was being thoughtfully designed and tested, the guys decided to build a website to help others who have been in similar situations – at a tailgate, camping, or otherwise off the beaten path.  This site would offer reviews, products for sale, and information to those people who appreciate quality bear, even when they're away from a bar or restaurant.

Today, the guys are finishing the engineering and production of the PortaKeg (available for sale Fall 2011), as well as continuing to help those active aficionados find the best products on the market.  And avoiding giant squirrels.