Bag In Box Guide

Bag in Boxes or polypins are convenient ways in which to enjoy cask beer especially for parties and events. They need to be made up to order and so we require a couple of days’ notice. They will store best at below 15 degrees, but we recommend that if you have an event you collect as close to the event as possible, especially if the ambient temperature is above 15 degrees

This cask beer contains live yeast particles which will react to heat and movement and may make the bag inside the box expand. See below for how to manage this.

Keep your beer in a cool dry place and allow it to settle for several hours before use. Because the air cannot get in, then the beer is good for several weeks, even after opening, although over time it will lose condition (fizz). Blend it with a more conditioned beer to carry on enjoying it into week 2 and 3 if there is any left by then!

To open the box and release the tap

  1. Carefully place the narrow surface of the box, with the flap on the top, on a flat, sturdy surface such as a table or kitchen worktop

  2. Lift the flap and snap out the small disk of cardboard and discard

  3. Gently pull the red tap up and forward and settle in the semi-circle left by the disk

  4. Push the flap down snugly behind the tap so that the tap can’t dislodge

  5. Pull off the red plastic tab around the tap and discard

  6. Slowly bring the box down through 90 degrees onto tabletop and ensure that the tap is overhanging the edge

  7. The beer can now be poured

  8. Hold your glass at a tilt and press the top of the tap down with your thumb and with your fore and middle finger underneath– tap automatically shuts off once you stop pressing

    Enjoy your beer

Problems with the box expanding and distorting before opening

On occasion the yeast in the beer will become active, particularly if the box is driven from A to B or the ambient temperature is above 15 degrees. This means that excess carbon dioxide will be created, trapped, and can inflate the bag and distort the box.

To resolve this, keep the tap uppermost and follow steps 1 to 5 and release the CO2 through the tap. Use a cloth or paper towel as once the CO2 is released the beer will follow!