Review: Coldbreak Jockey Box for cold, cold beersies

A Jockey Box is the ultimate solution for beer lovers who want to enjoy a cold, refreshing drink in any setting. Whether you're tailgating, camping, or simply relaxing in your backyard, a Jockey Box allows you to dispense delicious, icy-cold beer without the hassle of hauling around heavy coolers or dealing with warm drinks.

Think about it: summer is just around the corner, and what better way to beat the heat than with an ice-cold beer in your hand? With a Jockey Box, you can enjoy your favorite drink at the perfect temperature, no matter where you are. It's like having your own personal bartender, but with the added bonus of being able to take it anywhere you go!

The Coldbreak Jockey Box is a portable cooling and dispensing system designed to do one thing and one thing only - to serve your beer cold. 

Here is a detailed review of theproduct, including its features, performance, and value for money.

Features:

• The Coldbreak Jockey Box is equipped with a stainless steel coil and can keep your beer chilled for hours without the need for a power source.
• The box comes with a tap and a shank assembly that makes it easy to dispense your beer without any mess or waste.
• The Jockey Box is portable, lightweight, and can be transported to different locations with ease.

Performance:

• According to user reviews, the Coldbreak Jockey Box is effective in keeping beer at the desired temperature for several hours.
• The stainless steel coil is reportedly efficient in cooling the beer, and the tap dispenses the beer smoothly and consistently.
• Some users have reported that the Jockey Box can sometimes have a slight metallic taste, but this is a common issue with similar products and can be remedied by flushing the coil with water before use.

Value for money:

• The Coldbreak Jockey Box is priced competitively compared to other similar products on the market, and many users feel that the product offers good value for its price.
• The Jockey Box is made of high-quality materials, and its durable construction is expected to last for many years.

Pros:

• Portable and easy to transport
• Efficient cooling
• Smooth dispensing
• Good value for money
• Made of high-quality materials

Cons:

• Some users have reported a slight metallic taste
• May not be suitable for large events or crowds

Here's what some users and reviewers have said about the jockey box:

• "I purchased this for my husband for his birthday, and he was thrilled! It was easy to set up and kept the beer cold all day. The dispensing was smooth and didn't foam like some other jockey boxes we've used in the past. We will definitely be using this for our next outdoor gathering!"
• "This jockey box is a game-changer! We used it for a small backyard BBQ, and all of our guests were impressed by how cold and fresh the beer was. The setup was simple and the dispensing was quick and effortless. We're very happy with our purchase."
• "I've used this jockey box several times now, and I'm very impressed with its performance. The stainless steel coil keeps the beer ice cold, and the tap dispenses the beer smoothly. ."
• "This jockey box was the perfect addition to our camping trip! We were able to keep our beer cold and dispense it without any hassle. The portability of the jockey box was great, and it was easy to transport from one location to another. We would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a high-quality and portable beer dispenser."

Conclusion: 

The Coldbreak Jockey Box is a well-designed product that offers excellent value for its price. Its portable design, efficient cooling, and smooth dispensing make it ideal for outdoor activities, small gatherings, and camping trips. However, it may not be suitable for large events or crowds. Overall, the Coldbreak Jockey Box is a great investment for beer enthusiasts who want to enjoy their favorite drinks at the perfect temperature.

Fun fact on the Jockey Box name:

The name "jockey box" is believed to have originated from the horseracing industry, where jockeys would use portable boxes to store and dispense drinks for themselves and their horses. The concept of the portable dispensing system was later adapted for use with beer and other beverages, and the name "jockey box" was carried over.

In essence, the name refers to the portable and convenient nature of the product, much like a jockey's box in the racing industry. Today, "jockey box" is widely used to refer to portable beer dispensing systems, and the term has become synonymous with this type of product.

How to set up and use a jockey box

Setting up and using a jockey box is a straightforward process. Here's a quick overview of the steps involved:

1. Assemble the components: Most jockey boxes come with a cooler, a coil, a tap, and a shank. Assemble these components according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Place the box in a level place where it will not get knocked over
3. Fill the cooler with ice: Fill the cooler with ice, making sure that the ice level is high enough to cover the coil. This will help to keep the beer at the optimal temperature.
4. Connect the beer line: Attach one end of the beer line to the shank and the other end to the keg or other beverage source.
5. Connect the CO2 tank: Connect the CO2 tank to the regulator, and adjust the pressure to the appropriate level for the type of beverage you are dispensing. Be careful to apply to much pressure!
6. Dispense the beer: Once the setup is complete, you can start dispensing the beer by pulling on the tap handle. The beer will flow through the coil, which will keep it cold as it is dispensed. Obviously have a suitable cup or glass at the ready to capture that liquid gold!

That's all there is to it! With a jockey box, you can enjoy a cold, refreshing beer anytime, anywhere. Just remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines to ensure safe and proper use.

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3 best value "Jockey Box" for cooling keg beer

Jockey boxes - coil or plate, copper or steel?

If you want to serve your beer nice and cold at a party or BBQ, then a jockey box beer dispenser is a great way to share your nut brown ales.

The jockey box is a container filled with ice and water. A long coil of hollow tubing is connected to an external supply of beer, the other end, to the beer faucet.

As the beer is drawn from the box through the coil, the beer is cooled by the cold temperature of the water.

A simple, yet handy solution:

The longer the coil, the more contact time the beer has with the cold, thus allowing the beer to get to a nice serving temperature.

A good jockey box will be insulated to ensure the ice remains frozen as long as possible. An ideal temperature is considered to be 32°-33° Fahrenheit. 

If your ice melts and you've got an all-day event you may wish to have a supply of spare ice to top the box up with.

NY Brew Supply 50' Stainless Steel Coils Jockey Box Cooler with Double Faucet

This 28 quart / seven gallons jockey box cooler features stainless steel coils that are superior to boxes with cold plates because there is much more tubing, allowing for a much greater cooling capacity.

This unit is double trouble as it comes with two 50' stainless coils that are 5/16" outside diameter meaning you will get good beer flow.

Featuring two chrome faucets with black handles this unit also comes with includes bonus faucet wrench.

This is a basic set up, for fair value. Check out the price on Amazon.

Coldbreak Jockey Box - Bartender / BJB54SBE2

Coldbreak is slowly but surely earning itself a fine reputation for selling quality brewing gear. They state that their jockey boxes are built specifically for the craft beer industry and designed so your beer has 100 per cent contact with stainless steel. Which is just what you should be looking for.

All the shanks, coils, ferrules, and faucets of this unit are made from stainless steel. 

Their Bartender Edition line of jockey boxes have the liquid inputs on the same side as the faucets. This gives your jockey box a clean look from the 'patron' side and also allows your bartenders to see if your keg is about to blow.

Check the specs:

• 2 taps, stainless steel shanks
• Includes stainless steel faucets with black tap handles
• 2X50-foot stainless steel coils (5/16-inch od)
• Stainless steel belted cold break cooler with stainless drain plug
• Note this unit does not include a dispensing kit

Check out the price on Amazon.

Three's not a crowd? Try New York Brewers Triple Faucet↦

NY Brewing proclaim their jockey box cooler is perfect for dispensing ice cold beer at any party or event. Simply fill the cooler with ice and water, attach your keg(s), and you are ready to pour cold beer.

They also reckon that their stainless steel coil jockey boxes are superior to those with cold plates because there is much more tubing, allowing for a much greater cooling capacity.

It's a sensible argument...

• Three 50' stainless coils, 5/16" outside diameter tubing
• Three chrome faucets with black handles
• 48 quart cooler, with hinged lid and drain
• Includes bonus faucet wrench
• Comes assembled with instructions for use and care.

Check out the price on Amazon.

What's better, a stainless steel or plastic jockey box?

There are pros and cons to using each.

Plastic is lighter but less durable.

Stainless is heavier and stronger.

A quality jockey box made of steel would have had all its shanks, coils, ferrules, and faucets made from stainless steel. Shank plates should be in place to reinforce the cooler's walls to prevent buckling of the unit which is really important as this will help ensure that you are properly able to tighten your faucets.

Nothing worse than a leaky faucet than when beer is involved!

Why can't I just place my keg in a bucket of ice rather than use a jockey box?

There are two schools of thought on this and the thinking can get muddled.

You sure are very free to cool down your keg with ice but it's an intensive process that requires a lot of ice and time to cool the whole keg, especially if it's full of delicious beer. If you can get the beer cold enough, you might not need a jockey box but they are still handy for serving.

A jockey box is an easy setup, doesn't require as much ice and arguably it cools the beer faster due to the coil system which means the beer gets exposed to a lot of coldness. 

THAT said, warm kegs will likely serve foamy beer. 

That means there's nothing wrong with keeping your keg out of the sun when using a jockey box - try and keep it in the shade, or use an umbrella or at least a towel to prevent the sun from heating the keg too much, thus countering the effect of the dispenser!

This is actually quite an important thing to consider because as the temperature of the keg rises, the PSI changes with it, thus affecting the pouring of the beer.

So to round off, if you are using a jockey box, it also helps to keep the keg cool, at the very least, try and prevent it from warming in say direct sunlight. 

How do I set up a jockey box?

Do I need a regulator? 

What kind of PSI is required?

These three questions are lumped together as they go together. 

The beer line from the keg goes from a shank into the keg and then into the coil and out the faucet. The keg should be connected to a CO2 tank to carbonate the beer and assist with pouring the beer. If you need a quick pour, you'll want to use a shorter coil system, say the standard 50' foot length. 

However if you are doing a continuous poor, then you could perhaps go up to 120' feet and get a cooler beer depending on your conditions. 

This difference may mean you need to adjust the PSI pressure of the CO2 up a little higher for the longer coil. 

Typically, a PSI of 25 is used.

Here's a great instructional video which clearly demonstrates how to hook up the CO2 regulator to the keg and then the piping to the jockey box.

Cleaning the jockey box after use

You need to flush the pipes out! If you don't clean the piping and coil, you'll get nasty residue leftover which is just gross. Flush them out with water until they run clean. Consider using some pipe cleaner, especially after several uses to prevent and remove any build-up.

What about using a plate cooler over a coil?

You can totally use a plate cooler - however, there's a real drawback with them in that you can only have ice and you'll need to keep it refreshed with ice and drain any melted water. 

As I understand it, cold plate coolers work best if the keg itself is cooled, which as we've discussed is good practice.

The coil system, of course, loves ice and water.

What's the difference between a kegerator and a jockey box?

A kegerator is a permanent set up which is basically a fridge. It's perfect for the man cave. The jockey box is a portable unit, designed to allow for pouring stations at parties, beer tastings and the like.

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↠ Best faucet tap for pouring beer

What's the best tap for pouring beer from a keg?

If you're going to make a kegerator, jockey box or beer dispenser for your bar or keg system that's any good, you are going to need a quality beer faucet. They are integral to your dispensing system.

A good faucet will not leak and you'll feel like a king when pouring a cold beer from something you've installed yourself. 

When looking for the best kind of faucet for your set up, you may want to consider the following attributes.

• Your tap ideally will have a 4-inch shank threading which means it's suitable for all standard tap handles.
• It should be leak proof when tapping a keg
• It should be durable
• The faucet and shank are ideally made of chrome-plated brass or stainless steel.
• The produce a smooth pouring action

That's your basic set up for a tap faucet.

As with most beer brewing equipment, there is an absolute range of faucets on the market from your basic steel versions that retail for cheaper than 15 dollars to the high end of the market where a quality chrome faucet will cost you a sharp 55 dollars. 

It's up to you as the master of your domain to install whatever kind of faucet you want, but just remember, cheap and cheerful is for dining, not a good beer drinking experience. Cheap equipment can corrode over time, many you'll need to replace it, effectively doubling your cost!

We would recommend you go at least mid-range when selecting a beer faucet for your kegerator. 

If you don't want to muck around deciding on what to buy, then it may interest you to know that the beer faucet that is most often bought via this site is the renowned Perlick 630SS tap.

The Perlick is a bit of a premium champ went it comes to faucets - it's a genuine quality product. 

Featuring a forward seat design to prevent the lever from sticking and quick handle action, it's easy to take apart and clean as well. 

The Perlick also features a 'spout angle' that helps keep your homebrew from collecting inside. This feature reduces the chance of beer drips.

Many industrial players install these faucets on coffee dispensers due to their exceptional performance and low maintenance needs.

Here are some reviews from brewers who have installed these units after buying them on Amazon:

"Amazing faucet! Never gets stuck or clogged like others. I can keep the keg pressure significantly higher than my old faucet and still get a smooth pour. Highly recommended."

"So far I have 2 Perlick 630SS taps and they both work flawlessly. I have not tried any of the generic taps but went straight to these. If these keep working as they are then I will be enjoying these for years to come."

"Great taps, and a good price. They seal quite well, and don't leak at all"

If these genuine, real deal testimonials seal the deal, check out the price on Amazon.

If you are looking to drop down to a mid-range draught beer dispenser that's a bit easier on the wallet, then consider this basic G Francis model:

It's sturdy and made to do the business of tapping a keg. To install one simply pulls out and then down on the lever handle to properly couple the keg.

The 4.9-inch length and 4.2-inch width of this beer faucet make it easy to handle and function. It has a standard 4” shank threading makes this beer faucet quite suitable for all standard tap handles.

The black knob is a twist on and can so you can swap it out with your own personal knobs!

Check out the price on Amazon.

To add and remove faucets, a specially designed wrench may be of use. These handy tools will help you install your facuet relatively easy. The key thing to remember is to not over tighten the faucet!

Leave a Comment beer taps, faucet, jockey box, kegerator, perlick