If you’ve followed my blog for the past few years, you may have realized that I’ve focused a lot on creating a great home bar. Don’t get me wrong, I still love visiting breweries, but the reality is I enjoy a lot more beer at home than anywhere else. So, it only makes sense to have all of the elements to make hosting a craft beer tasting a great experience at home. Part of that experience includes how I store my craft beer. Which leads me to this article about the NewAir and Stone Brewing Beer and Wine Fridge (SWB180SB00).
But first, let’s back up and explain how we got here. For anyone that doesn’t know, NewAir is a manufacturer of great home appliances and other items. Specifically, they offer a huge variety of beer and wine fridges for just about every use. From small to large, freestanding or built-in; they offer a lot of options to fit your home.
And they probably don’t need an introduction, but Stone Brewing is one of the original craft beer brands. They made their mark in Southern California with hoppy beers. Many consider Stone IPA the original beer that pushed people’s tastebuds to new levels, and their beer continues to be a favorite of craft beer enthusiasts.
I’ve written about Stone Brewing on numerous occasions, featuring details about their brewery, specific beers, or how their beer fits into cooking or pairings. Needless to say, I’m a fan! Check out all of my articles about Stone to learn more.
All that to point out how excited I was to hear that NewAir and Stone Brewing were working together. The result is a lineup of fridges that really highlight someone’s deep passion for craft beer. They are great decor just as much as they are functional appliances. It is the type of addition to your home bar that will make people ask where you got it.
Go Check Out All Of The NewAir and Stone Brewing collaboration beer fridges!
A Hard Decision
Getting my hands on one of these was inevitable but I truly didn’t know which one to get. Each has their own “personality” that shows off Stone Brewing’s branding in different ways. And each is functionally different as well with regards to size, capacity, and features.
After much debate and contemplation, I choose the NewAir and Stone Brewing Beer and Wine Fridge (SWB180SB00).
For me, I loved the iconic look of this one. Both from NewAir’s design and the look of Stone’s branding. It just works so well. Specifically, I think it is the stainless-steel door & handle up against the large white Stone graphics. It really pops without being overly flashy which is kinda my style.
Also, I thought the size and features really spoke to what I wanted in a beer fridge with the ability to handle beer and wine (or large format beer bottles). Not to mention is can be used as a built-in fridge which is a nice option for the future.
Review of the NewAir and Stone Brewing Beer and Wine Fridge (SWB180SB00)
When it arrived, I found myself at a time when I couldn’t unbox it immediately (just too much going on personally). It was killing me to see the box sitting in my garage begging to be opened. Finally, after about a week, I opened it to lay my eyes on it for the first time. I think it might look even better in person than it does online – which is impressive.
Next, I needed to enlist some help moving it; this is a tank of a beer fridge. And I mean that in the most positive way possible. This isn’t a cheap mini fridge you’d buy for a freshman going to college, NewAir makes really great units designed for long-term use at your home, not just a year or two at college.
Setting up the unit was super simple, pull off some tape and packing items, install the handle (2 screws), then plug it in. The well-placed controls are just inside the door at the top. These are easy to use to ensure your beer is kept at the temperature you prefer. Also, make sure to turn on the LEDs to spotlight your beer!
It has 4 shelves that you can adjust to fit different size cans and bottles. In addition, the shelves are reversible to hold items standing up or rounded items like wine or large format bottles laying down. This is a huge feature for me as I do have some large “bomber” style beers and we like to keep wine around too. This makes this fridge so much more functional.
Another feature that I didn’t realize would be so important was the bottom mounted, front vented compressor. This design element allows it to be used as a built-in fridge. This means it can replace a standard bottom cabinet. The front vent means it doesn’t need airflow around the unit.
While I don’t plan on using it as a built-in unit (at least for now), the front vent causes the door not to go all the way to the bottom like some beer fridges. Why this is so important is when the door goes to the bottom of the unit, it is harder to place it on carpeted surfaces as the door will “drag” when you open and close it. That isn’t the case for this unit.
Last but not least, can we talk about the design? While Gargoyles may not be for everyone, for a craft beer fan, this is iconic branding. And the bold, white graphics pop against the black sides and stainless-steel door. If you are looking to add some flare to your home bar, any of the NewAir and Stone Brewing fridges will do the job.
Want one for yourself? Or maybe one of the other NewAir and Stone Brewing options are a better fit for you?
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