An ambient beer cooler from J & E Hall is helping a traditional Cotswold village pub to cut its running costs in a green and clean way.
An ambient beer cooler from J & E Hall is helping a traditional Cotswold village pub to cut its running costs in a green and clean way.
The cooler has been installed at the Bell Inn in picturesque Selsley, two miles from Stroud in Gloucestershire. The Bell Inn is a 16th Century Grade II listed hostelry serving real ale, locally-sourced food and seasonal game.
Owner Mark Payne said: 'Energy costs are astronomical in any business. When installing an ambient beer cooler was suggested to me it seemed to tick all the boxes. It was like a blinding light. It was such a simple idea but it made such common sense – I had to look at it.'
The unit – installed in the compact above-ground cellar – helps to ensure that a selection of up to four cask ales, including the locally-brewed Stroud Organic Ale and Uley Bitter, are kept in prime condition at temperatures between 10 and 12°C. Lager, cider, Guinness and bottled beers are also kept.
Energy costs are a major issue for the pub and restaurant trade and it is estimated that up to a quarter of a pub's energy bill is accounted for by its refrigeration requirements.
Publicans, breweries and restaurant managers are always looking for more cost-effective ways to cool their cellars. The J & E Hall ambient beer cooler contains no refrigerants and by doing so this allows it to employ a greener method of cooling. This in turn helps to reduce servicing costs and also extends the life of the main cellar cooling system.
The ambient beer cooler cuts in when outside temperatures fall to 10°C and below, which means it will be busy for most months of the year. It draws in fresh, cool air from outside via a fan and ducting kit.
The installation was carried out by TK Refrigeration which operates within a 50-mile radius of its Gloucester base and employs 10 people. The unit was supplied by FSW of Gloucester.