Hey Everyone, I am going to the BWCA in early August and was planning on bringing a few beers with, enough for a couple a night. Anyone have any ideas on how to chill my beer at this time in August?
Thank you!

Cans and bottles are not allowed in the BWCA (unless it's a non-food item like insect repellent) so I don't think you'll find many people that have done it. I know I haven't. I wouldn't want to carry the extra weight even if it were okay.

I would suggest a plastic flask with your favorite sippin' beverage, or something that can be mixed into hot chocolate or something (i.e. Baileys, Kahlua). A friend of ours brought in a small box of wine once too. I was cool with it, I just told him I wasn't going to carry it.

I have taken a couple trips outside the BWCA where a buddy brought a 6-pack. The only thing that helps is to sink it in cold water. It as okay, just not worth the hassle IMO.

You can get beer in plastic bottles in Ely, but I can't say as I've ever bothered.....just didn't seem like a priority in the woods. I'd rather have extra and/or more interesting food!

I always pack in a couple of beers. Just bring along a mesh bag and some rope. When the time is right...put the beer in the mesh bag with a couple of small rocks. Tie off with rope and sink it in 15+ feet of water. Wait a couple hours. Retrieve. Enjoy!

The best way to keep beer cold is to drink it right away, then it never gets warm!!! ;-))

I've done it. Stop at Kats liquor in Ely and pick up some BW legal beer in plastic bottles.

Bring a mesg bag or basketball net and 30-50 feet of rope. Be usre it is tied securely. Tie a rock to the bottom of the mesh bag and drop overboard in about 6 feet or more of water. Tie the rope to a tree on shore. It will cool to water temp in about 3 hours. The deeper you go the colder it gets.

Just make sure to watch for renegade turtles and pike if you sink you beer to chill... they may want something to wash down the fish they steel off your stringer.

If you use Bogs method as noted above please be aware of a new BWCA policy instituted by the USFS. Effective immdiately you must identify all sunken items for safety purposes and also so as to facilitate later retrieval and adhere to "no trace..." principals. Similar to markings used by scuba divers a floating buoy and flag must be used to mark sunken treasures such as your late afternoon refreshment. May I suggest the flag noted below.






As a side note please make sure that you place your cold beer and associated buoy in plain sight so that when others (such as myself) find themselves in a beer emergency and in your area they (we) can easily find the necessary means to revive any stricken and extremely thirsty individuals who might be in desperate need!

Thank you for your cooperation!!

I skip bringing in Beer. What "self medications" I bring in with me do not required cooling, or a cup for that matter.

Here I had a similar thread: Beer in the BW

Beer in plastic bottles and put them in a cooler with ice.

Thanks for the advice, do you know if there is anywhere in the twin cities that sells beer in plastic bottles?

liquor store in ely does if you are going to be in that area

I let the kind young woman at Ely Steak House keep my beer cold. She has continually succeeded at turning out an icy cold product, whether it is a late hour on the night before our entry or at lunchtime upon our return.

I think you can get the plastic bottles at most any twins games at 6 or 7 dollars a pop. lol!

Miller and mich golden light in plastic is available at most large liquor store in the twin cities. Just give some a call. MGM or your local. They are typically 16oz.

The only time I have brought beer in is a heavy, strong, belgian bread ale which I brewed myself and bottled in 2 liter pop bottles. The beer was sunk in a extra anchor bag as described above.

I enjoy a good beer as much as the next guy, so thats why I have never bothered to bring MGD or something simmilar into the BWCA. IMHO that isn't beer.

Adam- If I had the patience to brew beer I would follow your lead. Sounds like a nice beverage.

I usually bring in a flask of something stonger to mix with lemonade.

But as we all should know by now. To each their own.

I saw a group of 6 college aged guys lugging in three cases of plastic bottle beer a few years back. I shook my head and chuckled at the follies of youth!

I bring whiskey instead of beer on the canoe trips, but I have used the bottles submerged in a bag with good success on Montana backpacking trips.

I hear ya, YaMarVa. But we also bring in a couple bladders of red wine for sippin' around the campfire. Never have brought in beer. Too much hassle.

I took a plastic bag of wine last fall and put it in the water to cool off a little. Took it out the next evening and the bottom off it had seveal leeches on it. Well it was red wine.

Cool thing about red wine - it does not require chilling. Keep those bladders locked in a tough, odorless drybag though. Two years ago we had a little too much wine our first evening and forgot to lock up the drysack. This gave a lucky mouse the opportunity to help himself to a little vino.

Best way I found to keep beer cold in August is leaving it in the fridge at home and taking the Captain into the waters.

Seems to me like to much bulk and to much hassle. I'll stick w/my bourbon.

i have been known to fill up a couple nalgenes and keep them on ice until entry. stashed out of the sun they will stay cool til first night's dinner. after that the nalgenes are cleaneda and used for extra cooking water. baileys and whiskey for successive nights.

tg

Several years ago at the Lake One landing, we came across a college-aged guy sitting on 6 cardboard cases of Budweiser in plastic bottles waiting for the others in his group to show up. Had to smile- the only thing worse than having to carry all that beer would be to drink it. (Bud's not my favorite, especially warm). We commented to each other that this was one group that would not be in competition for a campsite with us that day. I like my beer (porters, stouts, IPAs), but the bdub calls for something concentrated and good at room temperature- Wild Turkey 100 proof is my bump choice.

Well, if your on Loon Lake you could always go up to the railroad portage and buy some Ice. Say $20 bucks worth. Should keep your beer cold.

I am a Beer guy for sure, but with that said, I never take beer to the BW. Last year I took a few small bottles of Captain. This year it will be Crown Royal, along with a couple of tiny plastic bottle 6 packs of Coke Zero. A few drinks of the Crown and I have a good enough buzz to settle in for the night and catch walleyes off the shore. 4 more days!

My group of 6 always bring 3 partyballs for our 5 day August trip. A partyball is a 5 gallon plastic ball of beer (53.33 12oz.beers) that comes in a box with a heavyduty plastic bag. You line the box with the plastic bag and put in the partyball and fill with ice. Tape up the box and wrap with insulation. I made a sweet cooler with 2 inch styrofoam insulation. There is still ice left in the cooler after 5 days to make mixed drinks with and bring filets home after the beer is gone. The other 2 partyballs we just wrap with closed-cell foam wrap since they don't need to last as long. We put some frozen vacuum packed meat in each one along with the ice to enjoy throughout the trip. I removed the frame from an external frame pack and use a tie down to attach them for portaging. For many years we were hand carrying them and getting the weight on your back makes it sooooo much better. Each one will weigh about 60 pounds with ice. Nothing beats ice cold beer in the bw in August.

I saw someone with a keg at a campsite on Lake Two. Technically not a Can, but talk about "if there is a will there is a way"... guy must of really wanted it.

If you are base camping with no or little portage is not to bad to carry the extra weight of beer. Last year I base camped at Alton and brought in 2 huge coolers of bud in 16oz plastic bottles. I think we got 4 cases and some ice in the 2 coolers, but they where at least 80 pounds each. Very Heavy! The 30 rod portage from sawbill to Alton was "ok". We where there in early June so the beer stayed pretty cold. We kept it in the shade under tarps, and only opened once or twice a day. We filled up a collapsible cooler to take with us in the canoe and fished all day with beer it was great! But this year we are doing a modified version of the lady chain, and the beer is staying home. Just some whiskey this trip!

I have never brought beer with on any trip, nor do I usually bring any spirits. However, i would love to have a couple ice cold brews around the fire the first couple nights. WE are looking into purchasing some stainless steel growlers, 64oz., to bring with us on a non portage intensive trip. Fill them up at Bent Paddle or Castle Danger on the way up, keep them in an icy cooler and pack them away. Should still be good and cold for the first night or two. I can only imagine how good a piney, citrusy IPA would taste around the fire, followed of course by a deep smoky stout.

Always leave a few beers on ice in the cooler and covered from the sun in the car. They are always happy to see me when I get out.

Stop by Fitgers in Duluth and get some 64 oz Nalgene bottles of beer. Submerge it in the lake to keep it cooler. Not sure what you drink, but a lot of craft beers are great when they are a bit warmer than fridge temperature.

quote lindylair: "I have never brought beer with on any trip, nor do I usually bring any spirits. However, i would love to have a couple ice cold brews around the fire the first couple nights. WE are looking into purchasing some stainless steel growlers, 64oz., to bring with us on a non portage intensive trip. Fill them up at Bent Paddle or Castle Danger on the way up, keep them in an icy cooler and pack them away. Should still be good and cold for the first night or two. I can only imagine how good a piney, citrusy IPA would taste around the fire, followed of course by a deep smoky stout. "

Picked up 2 KleanKanteen growlers at Copia. Have Screw top and Grolsch spring top growlers. KleanKanteen has the easiest opening and re-sealing caps I have used. Will keep cold and bubbly for 2 to 3 days.

butthead

Are aluminum re-sealable bottles legal? Being re-sealable makes me think yes but aluminum makes me think no. Never got a clear answer from the rulebook.

Our tradition on each BWCA trip is to celebrate arriving at our first campsite with an ice-cold beer. We pack it in the morning when we leave (plastic bottles) at near-freezing temperature, wrap it with a towel and bury it deep in a pack. Even in August it's still been nice and cold when we get to our first site, usually sometime mid-afternoon. Really hits the spot, though, as others have mentioned, have only been able to find the lower-end brands in plastic bottles. Still, I think it's better than nuthin' even though I usually avoid the major-brand, thin American lagers.

About time for the why is American beer like making love in a canoe?

quote billconner: "About time for the why is American beer like making love in a canoe?"

I know you need good head on the beer but I'm struggling to make the connection to the canoe part...

Went on a trip to Basswood once and a guy put a beer ball in an insulated food pack with dry ice. Had cold beer for the first three days. The fourth day is was a little harder to drink, but we killed it.

quote billconner: "About time for the why is American beer like making love in a canoe?


"

With the micro brewery cult current, it no longer applies!
Best thing about the Monty Python joke is that Fosters is NOT popular in Australia.

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote billconner: "About time for the why is American beer like making love in a canoe?"

With the micro brewery cult current, it no longer applies!
Best thing about the Monty Python joke is that Fosters is NOT popular in Australia.

butthead"

OK - fine point - and maybe a Canadaphile - but revise that to "Why is light beer like making love in a canoe?"

quote A1t2o: "

quote billconner: "About time for the why is American beer like making love in a canoe?"

I know you need good head on the beer but I'm struggling to make the connection to the canoe part..."

Now it makes sense?

quote Hawbakers: "

quote A1t2o: "

quote billconner: "About time for the why is American beer like making love in a canoe?"

I know you need good head on the beer but I'm struggling to make the connection to the canoe part..."

Now it makes sense? "

I already knew the joke, just adding the part about good head.

We bring brandy and 7up instead of beer. This is in May though. I have beer at home after the trip. Marc

quote A1t2o: "Are aluminum re-sealable bottles legal? Being re-sealable makes me think yes but aluminum makes me think no. Never got a clear answer from the rulebook."

Yes they are, as they're reusable without the additional step of recycling first. Basically, they're not single use containers like cans. Same logic that makes kegs legal - they're reusable!

Last September I was going out on Pine Lake and I saw two guys in solo canoes. One guy was towing an inner tube with a keg inside.

When our group has took beer in we buy the plastic bottles and put them in a mesh bag and sink them down. The rope we use is a water ski tow rope and it just floats back up to ask as a marker.

I LOVE beer, LOVE IT. I would never even consider taking it on a trip, its bang for buck (weight) ratio is unacceptable.

quote fishslayer: "My group of 6 always bring 3 partyballs for our 5 day August trip. A partyball is a 5 gallon plastic ball of beer (53.33 12oz.beers) that comes in a box with a heavyduty plastic bag. You line the box with the plastic bag and put in the partyball and fill with ice. Tape up the box and wrap with insulation. I made a sweet cooler with 2 inch styrofoam insulation. There is still ice left in the cooler after 5 days to make mixed drinks with and bring filets home after the beer is gone. The other 2 partyballs we just wrap with closed-cell foam wrap since they don't need to last as long. We put some frozen vacuum packed meat in each one along with the ice to enjoy throughout the trip. I removed the frame from an external frame pack and use a tie down to attach them for portaging. For many years we were hand carrying them and getting the weight on your back makes it sooooo much better. Each one will weigh about 60 pounds with ice. Nothing beats ice cold beer in the bw in August. "

Holy shit. Fishslayer for the win.

Gutmon, a gallon of Wild Turkey 100 is what my group did in 2013. Drunk, I lost a $100 camera and my cell phone on that trip. This year I'm going to be smarter... I'll still bring the camera and phone (for music), but instead of Wild Turkey 100, I'm gonna bring a mixed bag of 3 liters of different whiskeys, so nothing bad will happen.

dalet, your comment about the leeches on the bag of red wine made me laugh pretty hard

I'm somewhat embarrassed to say, but about 30 years ago, my best friend and his brothers brought a keg. However, by the time they bounced it 60 miles up the gunflint trail, and bounced it several miles across white caps on Sag, it was basically ALL FOAM at the campsite. I wouldn't recommend it. But then, I tried to talk them out of it before hand, that time too...

Carry on.

a 7 year old thread coming back to life ! i took 2 friends into the BW 1 year , there from texas and wanted to bring in 3 patryballs into the SAK. i talked them into just bringing 1.. i tryed to explain to them it's not paved paths between the lakes. after the trip there glad they brought only 1 and said if they knew they wouldnt have brought that 1.

When you sink your beer to the bottom to keep it cold put a big red float on it. That way I can spot it easier when I'm fishing.

My wife bought me a Hydroflask growler (64 oz) for our trip a couple summers ago. Yes it's rather heavy, but I loved it and will continue to bring it. I filled it up at 6 am the morning we left and it was still ice cold at 7 pm that night. I don't know how well that would work for multiple nights since I drank it all the first night, but I was still able to enjoy delicious ice cold beer in the b-dub. The best part is you can fill it with whatever you want so you can bring a beer that actually tastes good.

I then used it as my water bottle the rest of the trip. The great part about that is my water also never got warm. With a plastic nalgene or non-insulated metal water bottle your water can get warm/hot on a hot day. My water was always nice and cold.

Hydroflask Growler

I use the HydoFlask, only 50% seal well with the screw top. Options to consider,
left to right HydroFlask, MiiR, KleanKanteen, regular glass. HydroFlask is easy to use but either seals well or not, MiiR seals very good but is hard to swing the top in place, KleanKanteen seals very well simple to use spring latch and easy to replace seal. All SS insulated keep cold for 48 hours of use longer if not opened, MiiR and KKanteen really seal well!

Looked at Stanley Growler, was not impressed with the plastic latch and handle.

butthead

PS; Apologies, if over technical on beer gear! bh

On the trips we take and base camp; we take beer in plastic bottles. To keep it cold I gradually fill heavier plastic jugs (like OJ ones) with water and freeze them. This gives us two pleasures: 1) ice cold beer, 2) ice cold water! We have gone 6 days before like this, under the right conditions, and it can keep you in some fresh foods as well.

Again, this is for some of the shorter trips that have been necessary for various reasons (mainly medical) on lakes with short or no portages, and then on base camping trips at that. Lakes like Brule, Pine on the east end, Alder/Pierz/Canoe, Alton, and Square to name a few.

It also depends on the group dynamics, some people just can't see bringing beer, ice, and/or fresh food to the BWCAW... And some can't see going without!

So, we try to accommodate when and if we can.

quote kanoes: "I LOVE beer, LOVE IT. I would never even consider taking it on a trip, its bang for buck (weight) ratio is unacceptable."

Me too? Can't imagine portaging it like many seem to be doing? Oh well, different strokes, I guess? But IMHO, canoe country is pretty darn special sober, why "Dull" the experience?

I like beer
!!!! It makes me a jolly good fellow

quote ozarkpaddler: "

quote kanoes: "I LOVE beer, LOVE IT. I would never even consider taking it on a trip, its bang for buck (weight) ratio is unacceptable."

Me too? Can't imagine portaging it like many seem to be doing? Oh well, different strokes, I guess? But IMHO, canoe country is pretty darn special sober, why "Dull" the experience?"

Right on.

I'm bringing in a few suede leather bota bags, filled with some top shelf vodka, mix with some powderd ice tea , they sell them ebay for 12-15 bucks..

Bring in a small cooler with dry ice. A little dry ice will go a long way with beer

I'm not a fan of alcohol on wilderness trips. I prefer to have my wits about me. Also, dehydration is a concern. But if I did, I'd definitely bring whiskey or tequila. Something to sip without having to haul the weight of beer or soda around. I can't imagine doing that.

But... some folks have different priorities and that's fine. I like the idea of nalgene bottles as the vessel. You'll lose a little carbonation and freshness by transferring them, but you also don't have to futz with the extra trash to pack out, and the nalgene becomes a multi-tasker.

snakecharmer: "I always pack in a couple of beers. Just bring along a mesh bag and some rope. When the time is right...put the beer in the mesh bag with a couple of small rocks. Tie off with rope and sink it in 15+ feet of water. Wait a couple hours. Retrieve. Enjoy!"

+1

'Cept I found the thermocline was deeper than 15' in early august...40 feet sure did the trick. Really cold.

Recommend the 5L mini-kegs.


And a shotgun to defend your cache from the alcohol-deficient...

Best way to find out if you are an alcoholic or not is to take none in with you for a week or so. You will know one way or the other by then,

This was August few years back. Fun wknd! Sank half the first night with basketball hoops and finished the rest the next. Lot of work and never again even though we had wheels to portage to Ella hall.

over 2 years since my last post on this thread. i say if you want to bring it in and everyone is in on that , it's all good .
i bring a cooler of perishable food but i asked everyone , do want want to eat good and more weight going in(your not taking it out) or pack lighter and not eat quit as good , everyone is in for more food, (especially breakfast's)
EELPOUT89 , can you imagine if you ran into some rain or just waving conditions taking on water with those cardboard case's ?
the only fix is a lot of duck tape before you even hit the water. wrap and wrap and rewrap ;)