Editors’ Picks: Gear that Stands the Test of Time

We’re suckers for cool new stuff. We love to build and tinker, we appreciate truly great design, and we ruthlessly edit things from our lives that don’t meet our expectations. We test then give away most of what companies send us here at Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine®, but not everything—some things we test and hang on to, or else we receive them as gifts and refuse to part with them, and we realize (years later) just how important they’ve become to our day-to-day lives. Here are a few favorites—the things that we just can’t live without and that have continued to perform, year after year.

[PAYWALL] No matter how much beer has changed over the past decade, coolers remain crucial. We hold our blind-panel review sessions in our Fort Collins office as well as in a space in Denver, so keeping beer cold while shuttling back and forth is of utmost importance. The wheeled coolers from ROVR and Yeti are our go-tos. The ROVR RollR 45 is a bit older, with the original-style handle; while we were initially fearful for the longevity of the inflatable wheels, they’ve proven great when the office elevator is out of service and we have to roll down stairs. The Yeti Roadie 60 has proven to be equally unbreakable, despite our attempts over the years. Find them at rovrproducts.com and yeti.com.

The Icemule Pro Large 23L joined our arsenal back in 2017. Besides hauling beer, it’s served as my general backpack ever since. I do a fair amount of bike commuting, and the roll-top and water-resistant shell are perfect for keeping my laptop dry and any beer inside cold. Find it at icemulecoolers.com.

I’m on my second BACtrack Mobile breathalyzer, but only because I lost the first. The minimal form factor, easy-to-use mobile app interface, and accuracy—we tested ourselves against a police-issue breathalyzer—make it a continued favorite. We drink a lot of beer here, but we never want to put ourselves or others at risk, so the breathalyzer is a necessity. Find it at bactrack.com.

The Dropcatch bottle openers (both in the office and at home) may open more Topo Chico now that beer is predominantly canned, but it’s still something we use several times a week. It’s also the only magnet my wife and I will allow on the side of the fridge. Get it at dropandcatch.com.

One of the best things about the revival of Anchor Brewing is the prospect of a fresh supply of their titanium keychain openers. Mine hasn’t left my personal keychain since former brewmaster Mark Carpenter gave it to me in 2014 or so. No link to find one now, but I’ll be checking the website soon.

I’m always skeptical of fridges—I’ve had plenty die over the years—but this small NewAir Beverage Fridge has been going strong since 2019, even though we keep it packed to capacity. The same model is no longer available, but their lineup of reasonably priced beverage and wine coolers can be found at newair.com.