Where To Buy A Barrel Of Beer?

If you're looking to buy a barrel of beer, you're in luck! There are several options available to you, depending on your needs. You can choose from a variety of barrel sizes, ranging from small batches of 1-5 litres to larger formats of 15-53 gallons. When selecting a barrel, it's important to ensure that it is suitable for storing beer and not just for decorative purposes. Additionally, used barrels should be handled properly, kept wet, sealed, bug-proof, and leak-free.

You can purchase beer barrels from various suppliers, including local microbreweries, liquor stores, and online retailers. It is recommended to call ahead or place an order in advance to ensure availability. The cost of a barrel of beer varies depending on the size and brand, with prices ranging from $79 to $220 for a half-barrel, plus a small deposit.

When buying a barrel of beer, you may also need to consider additional equipment such as a tap, a bucket for chilling, or a kegerator—a refrigerator designed specifically for kegs. Keep in mind that proper planning is essential to avoid excessive foaminess, which can result in losing up to 25% of the beer. Maintaining the optimal temperature of 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit will help reduce foam and ensure a smooth pour.

Where to buy a barrel of beer

You can buy a barrel of beer from a variety of places, both online and in-store.

Online

You can buy a barrel of beer online from specialist websites such as Total Wine & More, which offers a wide range of beer kegs, including popular brands like Busch, Coors, and Budweiser. CraftShack is another online option, although it seems that they currently have no products available in their "Barrel-Aged Beers" collection.

In-Store

You can also buy a barrel of beer in-store from liquor stores, breweries, wineries, and even some restaurants. Village Square Liquor & Kegs in San Diego, for example, offers a "nice selection of wine, beer and spirits", as well as snacks. Another San Diego store, California Keg and Liquor, offers kegs, CO2, and propane.

Considerations

When buying a barrel of beer, it's important to consider the type of event you are hosting, how much beer you will need, and whether you will need to apply for a permit. You should also be aware that kegs are heavy, weighing around 162 pounds when full, and that most places will require a refundable deposit and a non-refundable cleaning fee.

How much does a barrel of beer cost?

The cost of a barrel of beer depends on the type of beer and the size of the barrel. A full keg (half barrel) holds about 15 gallons of beer, which is roughly 165 12-ounce servings or 124 pints. The cost of a full keg can range from $100 for Budweiser to $225 for beers like Dogfish Head.

There are also smaller keg sizes available, such as the pony keg (quarter barrel) and the log keg (sixth barrel). A pony keg holds about 7.5 gallons, which is approximately 82 12-ounce servings or 62 pints. A log keg holds about 5 gallons, which is around 55 12-ounce servings or 41 pints. These smaller kegs are typically more expensive per volume than full kegs. For example, a half barrel of PBR would cost around $120, while a sixth barrel of craft beer would be around the same price.

In addition to the cost of the keg, there are also other costs to consider, such as deposits, tap rentals, and party pumps. Deposits for kegs can range from $30 to $75 or more, and tap rentals typically cost around $50 with an additional cleaning fee of $10-$15. Party pumps can cost $50-100 to rent, with a $10 rental fee.

How to store a barrel of beer

Storing a barrel of beer requires some patience and willpower to not drink it too early. Here are some tips on how to store a barrel of beer:

• Beer should be stored in a cool, dark place, away from direct light and heat sources. The ideal temperature for storing beer is between 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit for most beers, with stronger beers stored at room temperature (55-60 degrees Fahrenheit) and lighter beers refrigerated (45-50 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Beer should always be stored upright, as this limits the amount of beer exposed to oxygen, slowing the rate of oxidation. Storing beer upright also ensures that yeast compacts at the bottom of the barrel, preventing a yeast ring from forming inside the barrel.
• If you are using a corked bottle, it is recommended to store the beer upright as modern corks are almost completely impenetrable to liquid, and the risk of the cork drying out is related to the external environment's humidity rather than the bottle itself.
• Avoid storing beer in clear or green glass bottles, as these offer little to no protection against light strike, which can cause skunked beer. Brown bottles are best, but cans are even better at preventing light strike.
• Fluctuations in temperature are not ideal but will not significantly harm the beer. Chilling and then re-chilling beer will not impact its quality. However, freezing beer will cause proteins to denature and clump together, creating haze and affecting the texture and mouthfeel of the beer.
• Beer should be consumed within a suitable time frame, depending on the type of tap used. Manual pumps will reduce the quality of the beer's taste within 8 hours, while kegerators and CO2 can prolong the freshness of the beer for up to 3 months.
• If you are cellaring beer, it is best to store it in a cool, dark room with moderate humidity levels (between 50% and 70% humidity). High humidity can cause mould, while low humidity can dry out corks.

How to tap a barrel of beer

Tapping a barrel of beer is a simple process that won't take more than a couple of minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tap a barrel of beer:

Step 1: Identify the Coupler System

Firstly, identify the type of coupler system of your keg and acquire the correct tap/coupler/pump type. Most beer kegs sold in the US use the American 'D' system, whereas imports will use the European 'S' system or a number of other less common systems. Your keg distributor should point you in the right direction and will often supply the correct parts too.

Step 2: Ice the Keg

Ice the entire keg, not just the bottom third. This will help you later with pouring a perfect head, and not a cup of foam. A large bucket or garbage bag can help you stuff ice around the sides of the keg and keep it tightly packed. Leave the keg to chill for several hours. Don't forget to also ice your tap and beer line for about an hour before you pour.

Step 3: Remove Plastic or Cardboard

Remove any plastic or cardboard from around the tap fixture at the top of the keg.

Step 4: Line Up the Tap

With the pump handle up (this is the off position), line up the tap with the mouth of the keg and insert the bottom of the tap into the keg.

Step 5: Turn the Tap Clockwise

While applying downward pressure, turn the tap system clockwise as far as it will go (about 90 degrees).

Step 6: Push the Pump Handle Down

Push the pump handle down (this is the on position). This allows gas to enter the keg, and the beer to flow out. Check the seating. If you see bubbles around the connection, then it is not seated correctly and you will have to turn the pump handle back off, disconnect the pump and try again.

Step 7: Pour Your First Beer

With a full, new keg, you will not have to pump for the first few pints – there is already enough pressure within the keg to get the beer flowing. Simply push down on the valve at the end of the beer line, and pour it into your drinking vessel. It is very likely that the first pint will be all foam. This is usual, and you can either set it aside or discard it. After pouring several pints, you may wish to use the pump to build up the pressure in the keg again from the displaced liquid.

Step 8: Untap the Keg

When you are done, untap the keg by pulling the handle upwards on the tap to the “off” position. Then, twist the tap counterclockwise to unscrew it.

How long does a barrel of beer last?

The shelf life of a barrel of beer depends on a few factors, including the type of barrel, the type of beer, and how the beer is stored.

Type of Barrel

Wooden barrels are typically not used for storing beer in the USA. Instead, kegs are used, and these can be made of stainless steel or food-grade plastic.

Type of Beer

Not all beers are created equal when it comes to shelf life. Hoppy beers, lagers, and ales typically have a shorter shelf life, while darker or aged beers, such as stouts, porters, barley wines, and Belgian ales, can last longer. In general, beers with low alcohol content have a shelf life of up to 6 months, while beers with high alcohol content can last up to 1-2 years.

Storage

Storing your barrel of beer correctly is essential for prolonging its shelf life. Beer should be kept cool at a temperature of around 12°C, and preferably between 9-10°C. It should also be stored in a dark place away from direct sunlight to prevent chill hazes from forming and spoiling the beer. Additionally, the barrel should be kept upright to limit air contact.

When stored correctly, a barrel of beer will last around 5-7 days after tapping. Darker and/or higher ABV beers may last a further 2-3 days. However, if the cask tap is not clean, the quality of the beer will deteriorate quickly. Using a cask aspirator can help to extend the shelf life of cask beer.

Frequently asked questions