What to Pack for a Brewery Camping Weekend When the Cooler is Already Full

There are always a lot of things to consider when packing for a weekend camping trip, but especially when you’re looking to hit up all the local craft breweries. When you’ve filled up your cooler with four-packs, growlers, and specialty releases, there may not be much room for food or ice. This enthusiasm is recognition of the joy of finding good beer, but a little preparation will go a long way. 

Packing efficiently not only keeps the craft beer properly in the fridge, but also allows for the inclusion of some food items and other necessities to improve the outing without sacrificing any beer cans, allowing each beer to be enjoyed to its fullest.  This means that all the other items you are packing should be placed outside the cooler. As you put your trip together, here are the ultimate tips on what to bring to an awesome brewery camping weekend with a full cooler.

1. Dry Foods and High-Protein Snacks

If you’re all about craft beer, when fresh meat and dairy aren’t available in your cooler. Thankfully, there’s no need to fear going hungry at the campsite when you’re served dry, shelf-stable food.

Cook foods that don’t require refrigeration, including hearty foods:

• Beef jerky and meat sticks: High protein, great for after the brewery tour.
• Trail mix and dry-roasted nuts: A convenient snack when around a campfire.
• Canned soups and chili: Canned products such as Amy’s or Hormel make good soups or chili. Simply open them and begin heating over your camp stove.
• Pita bread, peanut butter: PB&J won’t get wrung out of the wrap in your pack when you eat it on sturdy pita bread.
• Ramen or oatmeal: Easy, hot food that needs only boiling water.

1. Compact Cooking Gear and Coffee Essentials

You don’t need to have a large cooking station to be able to enjoy a tasty meal off the grid. With already limited space in the vehicle, it is best to have cookware for multiple uses during brewery camping. Compact, the Jetboil or Coleman single-burner propane stoves can get you a pot of boiling water in less than 3 minutes, and can be comfortably stored in the back of a car. Carry a cast-iron Lodge large skillet to cook with over the fire ring. 

Cast iron is extremely heat-retaining and comes in very handy for breakfast cooking, like chingalos, and hot camp quesadillas. Be sure to drink coffee in the mornings. With a French press or basic pour-over cone, boiled water will become a life-saving brew before you go to your first taproom of the day.

2. Unwinding Essentials for the Campsite

Getting a fresh pour at the taproom will fill the afternoon, and now it’s time to chill out after hours at camp. If you enjoy smoking around the campfire, then bring along a nice small portable herb vaporizer or pipe along with a travel-grade grinder with solid heavy-duty construction so you can make natural herbs in the comfort of your own campfire. Taking a few minutes to learn how to grind dry herb can make a huge difference to the consistency if it is set to medium, fluffy. 

It will allow your material to heat evenly and offer a nice, smooth session without any loss of material while you are gazing at the stars. Enjoy a fireside chill session with a nice camp chair, such as a Helinox or Yeti Trailhead. It’s ultimate bliss to have a comfortable and supportive seat after getting around the brewery throughout the day.

3. Insulated Drinkware and Hydration Stations

Even though your beer is in the cooler, this doesn’t mean you can get into your drink straight out of the can all night. Investing in a good glass to pour craft beer into allows the aroma to be enhanced and enhances the flavor. Pack stainless steel insulated drinkware, Glass bottles, and breakable pint glasses make a huge fire hazard at campsites.

• For keeping your IPA ice-cold for as long or longer than you need it, while avoiding sweating, try out some vacuum-insulated steel pints like Hydro Flask, Stanley, or Yeti.
• Growler Totes: For those who purchased fresh draught beer from the brewery in a stainless steel growler, pack it in an insulated pouch or shoulder strap to make for easy carrying.
• Large Water Jug: Beer dehydrates you quickly, especially when you are outdoors all day. Bring a 5-gallon CamelBak or Igloo water dispenser to keep at your picnic table so everyone stays hydrated between brewery stops.

4. All-Weather Shelter and Sleep System

It is well to have a good night’s sleep if you’re hoping to enjoy your weekend. Your cooler does take up a bit of room, so pick some sleeping gear that can shrink to a compact size. 

• Camp Tents: REI Co-op 2- or 4-person tent that comes in a stuff sack, or Marmot tent that comes in a stuff sack.
• Gone are the bulky foam sleeping pads, and hello to inflatable sleeping pads. New R.V. sleeping pads are compact enough to fit into a water bottle and offer insulation from the cool surface.
• Sleeping Bag: Before packing, consider the weather forecast for that night. For desert or mountain areas, if the temperature dips after dark, a 30-degree rated sleeping bag will keep the sleeper warm.

5. Camp Lighting and Bug Protection

Once it gets dark, visibility at the campsite becomes poor. Secure lighting and lighting for ambient and hands-free use at all times, to move around safely, prepare food, and organize your beer station. It’s a lot easier to have a good time around the campfire with friends and share a well-chilled craft beer in a comfortable setting when everything is well-lit and much easier to see.

• LED Headlamps: A Black Diamond or Petzl headlamp will give you the option of holding that beer or catering to the campfire.
• Collapsible Lanterns: Solar or battery-powered lanterns provide warm and soft lighting to your picnic table.
• Thermacell Bug Repeller: Mosquitoes enjoy outdoor beer drinkers. Repel area up to 15 ft. around with no sticky spray – portable Thermacell spatial repellent device.

How to Pack for Brewery Camping Done Right: Brewery Camping Beer Lovers Packing Tips 

With a full cooler, it’s important to plan what will fit into the cooler for a brewery camping excursion. Just go with shelf-stable food items, long-lasting cookware, insulated steel drinks holders, and easy camping equipment to get the most out of your space and good craft beer. When all is set, do things well; you can spend the day visiting the local breweries and then come back in the evening around the campfire and drink responsibly while enjoying great beer, great people, and the outdoors.