How to Buy the Perfect Keg

Your Guide to buying the best Kegs

Overview

Kegs are an essential part of any home brewing or beverage-serving system. Buying a keg is a long-term investment, so it's important to understand the different types of kegs and the different features they offer. This buying guide will provide an overview of what to look for when purchasing a keg, including types of kegs, capacity, and other considerations. It will also provide tips on how to best preserve and maintain your keg once you have it. With this information, you can make an informed decision and find the best keg for your needs.

Key features

  1. Size and Capacity: Kegs come in a variety of sizes and capacities, so it's important to consider the size and capacity that will best meet your needs. Larger capacity kegs are generally more expensive, so if you don't need a large capacity, you may want to opt for a smaller size.
  2. Material: Kegs are typically made from stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to consider which material will best suit your needs.
  3. Pressure Rating: Different kegs are designed to handle different levels of pressure. Consider the pressure rating of the keg you are looking to purchase to ensure that it can withstand the pressure of your beverage.
  4. Price: Price is always a factor in any purchase, and kegs are no exception. Consider the amount you are willing to spend and look for a keg that fits within your budget.
  5. Accessories: Many keg manufacturers offer accessories such as taps, hoses, carbonators, and more. If you plan to use any of these accessories, make sure they are compatible with the keg you are considering.

See the most popular Kegs on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Cost Savings: Kegs typically cost less than bottles or cans and are more economical for larger-scale consumption.
  • Convenient Storage: Kegs are much more compact than bottles or cans and require less storage space.
  • Eco-Friendly: Kegs are more eco-friendly than bottles or cans in terms of energy use and waste production.
  • Freshness: Kegs help maintain the freshness of the beverage for longer periods of time than bottles or cans.
  • Better Taste: The absence of oxygen in kegs helps maintain the original flavor and taste of the beverage.

Cons

  • Cost of Purchasing - Purchasing a keg can be expensive, depending on what type and quality of keg you choose.
  • Space Requirements - Most kegs require a substantial amount of space for storage, both in terms of floor space and in terms of height.
  • Weight - Kegs are heavy and awkward to move around, so you will need to make sure you have a way of moving them around easily.
  • Maintenance - Kegs require regular maintenance, such as cleaning and checking for leaks, to ensure they are in working order.
  • Accessories - Depending on what type of keg you purchase, you may need to purchase additional accessories, such as a tap, in order to properly use it.

Best alternatives

    Bottles- Bottles are a smaller alternative to kegs and can be used for storing and dispensing beer or other beverages. Cans- Cans are an affordable alternative to kegs and offer a great way to store and dispense beer or other beverages. Growlers- Growlers are a glass or ceramic container that can be used to store and dispense beer or other beverages. Barrels- Barrels offer a large capacity for storing and dispensing beer or other beverages and are a great alternative to kegs. Jugs- Jugs are a plastic or glass container that can be used for storing and dispensing beer or other beverages.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Tap - A tap is a device that is attached to the top of a keg that dispenses beer.
  • Keg coupler - A Keg Coupler connects to the keg and allows pressurized gas (usually carbon dioxide) to enter the keg and push the beer out through the tap.
  • Keg lid - A Keg Lid is a device that seals the top of a keg and helps to keep the beer inside the keg fresh.
  • Tubing - Tubing is the plastic or rubber hose that connects the keg coupler to the pressurized gas tank.
  • Pressurized gas tank - A pressurized gas tank is a container filled with carbon dioxide that is used to push the beer out of the keg.
  • Ice bucket - An ice bucket is a container filled with ice that helps to keep the beer cold while it is being dispensed from the keg.

Common questions

  1. What is a Keg? A keg is a large cylindrical container for storing and dispensing beer, cider, wine, and other beverages.
  2. What types of Kegs are available? The two most common types of kegs are the half-barrel keg and the quarter-barrel keg. Some also come in mini-kegs, which are smaller versions of the full-size models.
  3. How much beer does a Keg contain? A half-barrel keg holds 15.5 gallons (about 165 12-ounce servings), while a quarter-barrel keg holds 7.75 gallons (about 82 12-ounce servings).
  4. How long will a Keg hold beer? A keg of beer can be stored for up to three months without losing its carbonation or flavor.
  5. How do I store a Keg? Kegs should be stored in cool, dark places such as a basement or refrigerator in order to maintain their quality.
  6. Do I need a special tap to dispense the beer? Yes, you will need a special tap to dispense the beer from the keg.

Trivia

An interesting fact about kegs is that they used to be made from wood. Before modern technology allowed for metal kegs, they were made of wood, usually oak, and were very sturdy and lightweight. The most popular keg sizes were 20-30 gallons and many would line up along taverns for easy access for customers. This practice dates back to the Middle Ages and is still seen in some traditional pubs today. With the invention of metal kegs, the wooden keg has gone by the wayside, but it remains an interesting fact about the history of kegs. Source: https://www.thebeerstore.ca/kegs-101/history-of-kegs/

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.