This week, I decided to combine two hombrew tips into one post since they are similar in function. Let’s talk about how you can label your kegs and fermentation vessels to provide the information you need at a glance.
Why You Should Label Your Homebrew Kegs and Fermentation Vessels
Have you ever looked at a keg, fermentation bucket, or carboy and wondered, “Wait, what’s in this one?” Sure, you can eventually figure it out, but wouldn’t it be nicer to take a quick glance at your keg and know, this is my German Pils, which is 5.2% ABV, and was brewed on 2018/12/18? Or look at a fermentation bucket, and know it’s your Irish Red, which was brewed on 2019/02/16, and the target FG is 1.009?
A simple label will make your life SO…MUCH…EASIER.
Items Needed
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. In the event of a sale, I will be awarded a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Don’t worry, I’ll just use the commission to buy more brewing stuff anyway.
One or more of the following:
- Reusable Homebrew Labels from Etsy’s custombeerlabels
- 3M Dry Erase Tape
- Fine Tip Dry Erase Marker
- Reflective Number Stickers
- Dry Erase Board
Keg Labeling Photo Gallery
Three Keg & Fermenter Labeling Options
Option 1: Custom Reusable Homebrew Labels
I’ll cover three ways you can approach keg and fermenter labeling. First, let’s start with the approach I’m currently using. I recently started using “reusable homebrew labels” from the custombeerlabels store on Etsy. These are homebrewing-specific dry erase labels with spots for a variety of homebrew information – ABV, beer name/style, brewer, date brewed, and more.
I use the “shorty” label size for the tops of my kegs and the “bottle” size for the sides of my kegs (see Photo Gallery). Having that “shorty” label on the top allows me to look down into my keezer or fermentation chamber (I ferment in kegs too) and see the beer name/style, ABV, and date brewed. When I have a keg out of the freezer or lift it up, the “bottle” size label on the side shows me the same info plus the OG, FG, and notes about the beer (e.g. “dry hopped with Mosaic” or “spiced with star anise, cinnamon, and vanilla”).
The Etsy store sells larger sizes but I find the 3″ x 3″ bottle label on the side to be perfect for my needs. If you decide to go this route, you might like the bottle size or you might want something bigger. Cut a piece of paper to that size and see what you’d be working with. I prefer something on the smaller side.
The advantage of this option of course, is that it’s homebrew-specific. The disadvantage is that it’s a bit more expensive.
Option 2: Dry Erase Tape
A second and less expensive way to accomplish this would be to use dry erase tape on your kegs and fermentation vessels. It doesn’t give you specific spots for writing ABV or the beer name but that certainly isn’t necessary. You could buy a roll of dry erase tape and cut pieces off as needed. Advantages with this approach are cutting the tape to the size(s) that best meet your needs, writing whatever information you feel is most pertinent, and it’s less expensive. Just make sure you also buy a fine tip dry erase marker. The disadvantage is that it looks a bit less polished.
NOTE: I’ve not used dry erase tape before but I see no reason it wouldn’t work. It’s a less expensive option that I assume would work just as well. I’ve just received a roll to give it a try myself but have not yet put it to use.
Option 3: Numbering and an Upcoming Beers Board
The final alternative that I’ll offer is a combination of reflective numbers (i.e. mailbox numbers) and a dry erase board. If you don’t care to write on labels or you like the idea of having an “Upcoming Beers” board (which friends will start to monitor closely), you should consider this route. I’ve done this in the past and it works quite well. The idea is to number your kegs (1, 2, 3, etc.) using reflective mailbox numbers of a size you prefer. Then, you have a dry erase board on the wall or on your refrigerator with details for that beer. Keg or fermentation vessel #3 might be “in waiting” and on your board it reads:
Beer #3
English IPA
OG: 1.050
Target FG: 1.012
ABV: 4.98%
If you go this route, you could use large numbers on the side of your kegs/buckets/carboys or smaller numbers on the lids. You might choose to do both.
Speaking of both, there’s no harm in doing a combination of the three options listed above. You could have a number on the lid with an Upcoming Beers board and on the side of your bucket or keg, you could have some dry erase tape that gives the beer’s specifics right on the vessel so you have it if the board isn’t visible. Mix and match to meet your specific needs.
Hope you found this Homebrew Tip helpful and you’ll consider a dry erase label to save yourself some frustration. At this point, I can’t imagine looking into my keezer, my kegerator (yes, I have both), or my fermentation freezer and not seeing what I need to know on every keg.
BONUS! Your friends will think that you’re super-organized.
Now that you’ve read this Homebrew Tip, let me know if you have a question, recommended improvement, or other thoughts in the comments below. As I mention in About Homebrew Notes, these are living documents and your feedback is appreciated!