New Gear!

Otterbox Elevation 64 Stainless-steel Growler $69.99, otterbox.com

The stainless-steel growler market is getting more and more crowded by the day, so manufacturers have to deliver new killer features to rise above the noise. Otterbox is no stranger to innovation—and they aren’t scared of manufacturing challenges—so they’ve sandwiched a copper sleeve between the inside and outside stainless-steel walls of their new Elevation 64 growler to improve insulation. The lid seals tight, and the growler keeps beer fresh and carbonated, so this one will see more use in our regular growler rotation.

Coolbot Walk-in Cooler Controller $329, storeitcold.com

We’re kicking off a project to build our own DIY walk-in cooler, inspired by the folks at Coolbot— their small controller is designed to fool wall-unit air conditioners into operating well below their intended temperature zone. In the meantime, we’ve talked to our friends who use these in fullfledged commercial operations, such as the folks at Outer Range Brewing in Frisco, Colorado, and they’ve reported bulletproof performance under challenging conditions. If you’re looking to build a small walk-in at home or your business, the Coolbot is an affordable and effective way to do it.