Craft Beer
Experience Unparalleled Refreshment: The Cooler Keg and New Trail Brewing Collaboration
2025-07-18

Embrace the pinnacle of summer enjoyment with a groundbreaking collaboration designed to revolutionize your outdoor gatherings. This exclusive partnership introduces an innovative portable draft system alongside a collection of beers crafted for the adventurous spirit, promising to elevate any outdoor experience. This unique offering combines the convenience of a mobile beverage dispenser with the refreshing taste of expertly brewed craft beer, ensuring that wherever your summer travels take you, premium refreshment is always within reach.

At the heart of this summer's most exciting innovation is the Cooler Keg, a ingenious device born from the desire for fresh, draft-quality beverages in any setting. Anthony Bernas, a seasoned homebrewer and co-founder of Cooler Keg, conceived the idea after contemplating how to enjoy draft beer on a lake. This led to the creation of a system that integrates a CO2-driven draft mechanism within a stainless steel cooler, making it possible to dispense not only beer but also ciders, seltzers, cocktails, and even non-alcoholic options like soda, all without the need for electricity or external refrigeration. His early prototype, ingeniously assembled from common hardware, quickly captured the attention of friends and later, a wider audience, through a viral social media video, demonstrating the undeniable appeal of on-demand, chilled drinks at outdoor events.

Complementing this portable innovation is New Trail Brewing, a company deeply rooted in the outdoor lifestyle. Founded by Dave Hertwig, Charles Imbro, and Tony Ecker, New Trail isn't merely a brewery; it's a brand synonymous with adventure and exploration. Their beers are meticulously crafted to be the ideal companions for any outdoor pursuit, from backyard barbecues to rugged mountain expeditions. Don Rieck, Marketing Director at New Trail, emphasizes that their brews are designed to seamlessly integrate with outdoor activities, reflecting the founders' passion for both great beer and the natural world. Based in Williamsport, PA, the brewery leverages its proximity to untouched wilderness, encouraging patrons to enjoy their surroundings with a refreshing beverage in hand.

Among New Trail's celebrated offerings, the Broken Heels Hazy IPA stands out as a flagship beer perfectly suited for the Cooler Keg. This New England-style IPA, developed by Director of Brewing Operations Mike LaRosa, showcases a masterclass in hop selection, featuring Citra and Mosaic hops from the Pacific Northwest. The result is a delightfully orange-forward beer with subtle notes of citrus rind and pine, culminating in a crisp, dry finish. Its immense popularity, leading to brewing schedules of up to seven days a week, underscores its appeal. Named after an incident where co-founder Charles Imbro broke both heels during an adventure, this beer embodies resilience and the spirit of overcoming challenges, making it an apt choice for any outdoor excursion. For those seeking a lighter option, New Trail also offers 24/7, a session hazy IPA launched in April, which maintains robust flavor and body despite its lower alcohol content, thanks to a unique thiolized yeast strain that unlocks vibrant tropical and citrus notes. This thoughtful selection of beverages ensures that whether you're relaxing by a lake or trekking through mountains, your Cooler Keg will be filled with the perfect accompaniment.

This unique partnership between Cooler Keg and New Trail Brewing culminates in an unparalleled opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts. Imagine a summer where fresh, draft beverages are always at your fingertips, whether you're by the lake, camping under the stars, or simply enjoying your backyard. This collaboration provides not just a portable solution for drinks, but a complete enhancement for any outdoor adventure, offering convenience and quality that transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

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