Beatrix Montes
Yes, you can buy kegs of beer, and there are several companies that offer this service. Kegs are a great way to provide beer for events and parties, as well as for at-home setups. Kegs are available in various sizes, from small 5-gallon kegs to large 50-gallon kegs, and can be purchased from companies like Total Wine & More, NYC Beer & Kegs, and NYC Kegs. These companies offer a range of beer options, including popular brands such as Budweiser, Coors Light, and Bud Light, as well as craft beers. Some companies also provide additional services, such as kegerator installation and servicing, and the option to rent a beverage dispensing unit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keg availability | Beer kegs can be bought online or from breweries and delivery services. |
| Keg capacity | Kegs can hold between 1.32 gallons and 50 gallons of beer. |
| Keg dimensions | The height of a beer keg depends on its size and model. The shortest keg is a stubby quarter barrel, which is just under 14 inches tall. Most other kegs are under 24 inches tall. |
| Keg cost | The cost of a keg depends on the brand and size. Craft beer kegs are typically more expensive than those from larger breweries. Kegs can cost anywhere from $79 to $579.99. |
| Keg couplers | There are several types of keg couplers, including A, D, G, M, S, and U. The type of coupler depends on the keg's origin, with different couplers for North American, European, and German kegs. |
| Keg preservation | Beer kegs are typically made of stainless steel and use a sealed dual-chamber system to preserve the beer's quality, freshness, and carbonation. |
What You'll Learn
Keg prices
The price of a keg of beer depends on the size and brand of beer. For example, a half keg of Dos Equis Amber costs about $158 plus a deposit, while a half keg of Stieglitz Grapefruit is $220 plus deposit. The keg deposit is typically small, about $15. A quarter keg of Bud Light is $80 plus deposit, and you can expect to serve about 83 12-ounce beers from it.
In New York, the cheapest full-size kegs are Bud Light, Miller High Life or Narragansett at $199.99. Prices for craft brands range from $175 to over $500. A half-barrel keg of Bud Light can cost anywhere from $79 to $139, depending on the market (plus deposit).
Kegs come in various sizes, from small 5-gallon sizes to large 50-gallon kegs. The different keg sizes include the half barrel, quarter barrel, sixth barrel, Cornelius keg, and mini-keg, ranging from 15.5 gallons to 1.32 gallons.
A half barrel (a.k.a. full-size keg) holds 15.5 gallons or 165 12-ounce beers. A quarter barrel (a.k.a. pony keg, stubby or slim quarter) holds 7.75 gallons or 83 12-ounce beers. A sixth barrel (a.k.a. sixteen) holds 5.2 gallons or 55 12-ounce beers. A Cornelius keg (a.k.a. corny keg) holds 5 gallons or 53 12-ounce beers. A mini-keg (a.k.a. bubba keg) holds 1.32 gallons or 14 12-ounce beers.
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Keg couplers
A keg coupler is a vital piece of equipment that connects the gas and beer lines to your keg. It has one opening at the top, which allows gas to go in and beer to flow out into your cup. The coupler opens the sealed chamber in the keg, using gas to force the beer out of the line.
There are several different types of keg couplers, with letter names: A, D, G, M, S, and U. These couplers are not interchangeable, so it is important to ensure you have the right one for your keg.
The D-System Sankey Coupler will tap most American or Canadian domestic kegs, including Yuengling, Miller, Budweiser, and most North American beers. The S-System European Sankey Coupler works with many European beers, including Heineken, Stella Artois, and Amstel. The U-System Guinness Coupler is needed for Guinness, Harp Lager, and Kilkenny. The A-System Coupler will tap several German beers, including Hoegaarden, Isenbeck, and Aigner. The M-System and G-System Couplers are less common but are required for some beers.
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Keg freshness
Kegs are a great way to keep beer fresh. They are designed to preserve the beer's quality, freshness, and carbonation. A beer keg is a sealed dual-chamber system, with the top chamber holding CO2 and the bottom containing the beer. When you tap a keg, the CO2 pressure smoothly dispenses the beer.
Kegs are typically made of stainless steel, which helps to keep the beer tasting fresh by preserving its original flavors. The stainless steel construction and tight seal help maintain the beer's freshness. In general, beer in a keg will stay fresh for up to two weeks, although this can vary depending on the type of beer and how well it is sealed.
If you want to keep your beer fresh for longer, storing it in a kegerator that relies on CO2 is a good option. This can extend the freshness of your beer to six to eight weeks. Pasteurized beer that is kept chilled can even last up to six months, while unpasteurized beer will typically stay fresh for about two months.
To ensure the best possible freshness, it is important to clean your keg regularly. Rinsing the keg with warm water immediately after use will help prevent any residue from sticking. For a deeper clean, you can use a mild detergent or a specialized keg cleaner. Always make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the keg before storing it.
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Keg delivery
If you're looking for keg delivery, there are a few options available to you.
Total Wine & More
Total Wine & More offers a wide range of beer kegs, including domestic, imported, and craft beers. They also provide wedding keg rental services. However, it seems that keg delivery is unavailable for this service.
NYC Beer & Kegs
NYC Beer & Kegs offers a variety of beer, craft beer, and lager kegs for delivery within New York. They provide free delivery with no additional charges and have a 1-hour rapid delivery option. They also offer kegerator installation services.
NYC Kegs
NYC Kegs delivers to Brooklyn and Manhattan, including Financial District/Downtown, Soho, West Village, Chelsea, Gramercy, Lower East Side, and Midtown in Manhattan, and Williamsburg, Dumbo, Greenpoint, Downtown, Park Slope, Bed Stuy, and Fort Greene in Brooklyn. They also offer kegerator installation services and free pickup of empty kegs purchased through them.
Drizly
Drizly is an on-demand alcohol delivery service that provides keg services. They offer a range of keg sizes, including standard and mini-kegs, and allow you to rent a tap and a bucket to store the keg.
General Information
When ordering a keg, it is important to consider the number of guests and the duration of the event to determine the appropriate keg size. A standard keg typically contains around 15.5 gallons of beer, which is equivalent to 165 12-ounce servings.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some services may require the keg, tap, and tub to be returned within a specified time frame to avoid additional fees.
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Keg rental
Renting a keg is a great option for those who don't want to commit to buying a full keg or for those who are hosting a one-off event such as a wedding.
Where to Rent a Keg
Total Wine & More offers keg rental, with prices for popular beers such as Bud Light ranging from $79 to $139 for a half-barrel. They also offer rentals of taps, tubs, and other accessories. The Liquor Bros also offer keg rental at a range of price points, with full kegs of Budweiser and Coors Light for $159.99 and quarter kegs for $119.99.
Pick-up and Delivery
Some companies offer pick-up and delivery services for keg rentals. NYC Beer & Kegs charge a fee for delivery and pick-up, whereas NYC Kegs offer free delivery within certain areas of New York and charge a reasonable fee for other areas.
Returning Your Keg
Most companies require that the keg is emptied before it is picked up or returned. NYC Beer & Kegs charge a fee of $120 if the keg, tap, and tub are not returned within one week, whereas Total Wine & More allow customers to special-order kegs that are not usually in stock.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy kegs of beer online or from breweries and beer distributors. Some companies also offer keg delivery services.
The cost of a keg of beer depends on the size and brand. For example, a half keg of Dos Equis Amber costs around $158 plus a deposit, while a half keg of Stieglitz Grapefruit is $220 plus deposit. The cheapest full-size kegs are Bud Light, Miller High Life, or Narragansett at $199.99.
If kept cold in a CO2-based kegerator, a keg of beer can last six to eight weeks. Pasteurized beers stored cold can last up to six months, while unpasteurized beers typically last about two months.
