Buying Beer Kegs In North Carolina: What's The Deal?

North Carolina has some relatively open laws regarding beer sales. You can buy beer in North Carolina any day of the week, including Sundays, and the state permits the sale of kegs. In fact, there are several businesses in North Carolina that sell or rent beer kegs, and some even offer delivery services.

Where to buy kegs of beer in North Carolina

Carolina Brewing Company

Based in Holly Springs and Wendell, the Carolina Brewing Company offers a range of beers available in kegs, including Epic Hazy and Specialty IPA. Last-minute orders are accepted, but they advise giving as much notice as possible to ensure your desired size and style are available.

College Beverage

College Beverage stocks a large variety of local, craft, import, and domestic beers, including many kegs in various sizes and styles. They can get kegs from their warehouse in as little as 24-48 hours, and you can reserve one for your event via their website.

Fermental

Fermental in Wilmington offers a wide range of craft and domestic beer kegs, with some kegs available for next-day delivery and others taking up to a week. They also supply and rent pump taps and sell supplies for home draft systems.

Local Distributors

North Carolina is home to many local beer and keg distributors, including:

• Albemarle Distributing Co. (Elizabeth City)
• American Premium Beverage (Colfax)
• Atlantic Beverage (New Bern)
• Bealer Wholesale Inc. (Charlotte, Monroe)
• Best of Beers LLC (Hickory)
• Budweiser of Asheville, Inc. (Skyland)
• Budweiser of Sylva (Sylva)
• Carolina Eagle Distributing Inc. (Rocky Mount)
• City Beverage Co., Inc. (Elizabeth Cit)
• Coastal Beverage Co. (Elizabeth Cit, Wilson, Wilmington)
• Cunningham Wholesale Co., Inc. (Charlotte)
• Eagle Distributing Co. (Lumberton)
• Empire Distributors of NC (Charlotte)
• Fox Distributing Co., Inc. (Shelby)
• Harris Inc. (Durham, Henderson)
• Harris Wholesale Inc. (Raleigh)
• Highland Distributing Co. Inc. (Fayetteville)
• I.H. Caffey Distributing Co., Inc. (Concord, Greensboro)
• JacKansason Beverage Co. (Wilmington)
• Long Beverage Inc. (Raleigh)
• Mims Distributing Co., Inc. (Raleigh)
• Mutual Distributing Co. (Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, New Bern, Raleigh, Wilmington)
• R.A. Jeffreys Distributing Company (Goldsboro, Greenville)
• R.H. Barringer Distributing Co., Inc. (Greensboro, Roaring River, Winston-Salem)
• Rudisill Enterprises Inc. (Gastonia)
• Sam Zahran & Sons Inc. (Fayetteville)
• Seago Distributing Co. (Rockingham)
• Silver Eagle, LLC (Linwood)
• Skyland Distributing Co., Inc. (Asheville)
• Standard Distributors Inc. (Gastonia)
• Sullivan Wholesale Inc. (Southern Pine)
• Tryon Distributing (Charlotte)
• United Beverages of North Carolina, LLC (Hickory, Salisbury)
• Ward Distributing Company Inc. (Wilmington)

The cost of kegs of beer in North Carolina

Kegs of beer can be purchased in North Carolina. The state permits the sale of beer seven days a week, and beer can be bought any time from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and after noon on Sundays.

The cost of a keg of beer in North Carolina depends on the brand, the size, and the retailer. For example, a half-barrel (15.5-gallon) keg of Bud Light costs between $79 and $139, plus a deposit, while a half-keg of Stieglitz Grapefruit is $220 plus deposit. A quarter-barrel (7.75-gallon) keg of Bud Light is $80 plus deposit, and a sixth-barrel (5.2-gallon) keg will be cheaper again.

Some retailers in North Carolina charge $135 to $215 for a half-barrel keg, and $60 to $100 for a sixth-barrel keg. The deposit for a keg/handpump is usually around $50, which is refundable upon undamaged return.

How much beer is in a keg

In the state of North Carolina, you can buy kegs of beer from breweries and taprooms. A standard keg size is a half-barrel, which holds 15.5 gallons of beer, or 124 pints, or 165 12-ounce bottles. This is the most widely used and commonly distributed type of keg.

There are also smaller kegs available, such as the quarter-barrel, which holds 7.75 gallons of beer, or 62 pints, or 82-83 12-ounce bottles. This is often used for small to medium-sized parties.

For even smaller gatherings, you can get a mini keg, which holds 5 litres of beer, or 14 12-ounce pours.

Another option is the sixth-barrel, which is very similar in size to the Cornelius keg, which was originally used in the soda industry. The sixth-barrel holds 5.2 gallons of beer, or 42 pints, or 55 12-ounce bottles.

The largest keg mentioned here is the 50-litre keg, which is the standard in Europe. This holds 13.2 gallons of beer, or 105 pints, or 140 12-ounce bottles.

How to transport a keg of beer

Yes, you can buy kegs of beer in North Carolina. Many breweries and taprooms in the state sell kegs for off-premise consumption, as long as they are in their original packaging.

Transporting a beer keg requires careful handling to avoid injuries, prevent damage to your vehicle, and ensure the beer arrives in optimal condition. Here are some detailed instructions to help you safely transport a keg of beer:

Picking Up the Keg:

• Avoid picking up the keg during the hottest time of day, as heat can affect the flavor of the beer.
• Bring a friend or ask a sales clerk for help when lifting the keg. A standard-sized full keg weighs around 160 pounds, so it's not advisable to carry it alone.
• Use a dolly or cart to move the keg if it doesn't have handles.

Loading and Securing the Keg:

• Place the keg upright in your vehicle, preferably in a pickup truck or a vehicle with ample space.
• Secure the keg firmly using bungee cords to prevent it from rolling or moving during transport.

Driving:

• Drive smoothly and avoid harsh braking, sharp turns, or potholed roads. Treat the keg like a precious cargo and maintain a steady, gentle pace.
• If possible, avoid transporting the keg on its side. Keeping it upright reduces the risk of the beer becoming foamy.

Chilling and Settling:

• Upon arrival, let the beer chill for a few hours before serving. Use a kegerator or a trash can filled with ice for an ice bath.
• Allow the beer to settle, preferably overnight or for at least a few hours. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to pour foam instead of beer.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid rolling or dropping the keg, as this can affect the quality of the beer.
• If you need to transport the keg horizontally, ensure it is pressurized to minimise the risk of stirring up the contents.
• If you have a long drive, consider pouring off the trub (sediment) before travelling to reduce haze and cloudiness in your beer.

Alcohol laws in North Carolina

North Carolina is not a dry state, and alcohol sales are permitted in bars, restaurants, and retail locations. Beer and liquor sales are allowed every day of the week, including Sundays and holidays, although some counties may implement time restrictions.

Age Restrictions

The minimum drinking age in North Carolina is 21 years old, and there are no exceptions for minors, even when accompanied by their parents. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, attempt to purchase, or consume alcohol. It is also illegal for those under 21 to drive with any trace of alcohol in their blood. The minimum age to serve alcohol in restaurants or other venues for on-site consumption is 18 years old, while the minimum age to sell spirits is 21.

Retail Sales

Retailers may sell alcohol between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. from Monday to Saturday and after noon on Sundays. However, some counties and towns may have additional restrictions on Sunday sales. Happy hours and certain drink promotions are prohibited. Customers may only receive one drink at a time, except for a boiler maker, and only two or more customers may buy a pitcher of beer. Retailers must not allow customers to continue drinking on their premises after 2:30 a.m.

Keg Sales

It is illegal to possess an unregistered, unlabeled beer keg in North Carolina. Kegs are defined as containers that hold 7.75 or more gallons of liquid. When purchasing a keg, retailers must collect the purchaser's name, address, and the address where the keg will be consumed, verified by a government-issued ID.

Driving and Alcohol

North Carolina has strict laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol (DWI). The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers under 21 is 0.00%—any detectable amount of alcohol is considered a violation. For drivers 21 and older, the BAC limit is 0.08%. For commercial drivers or those with prior DWI convictions, the limit is 0.04%.

Boating and Alcohol

It is illegal to operate any boat, waterski, surfboard, or similar device under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Boaters are considered guilty of boating under the influence (BUI) if they operate a vessel with a BAC of 0.08% or higher or if they are impaired by a substance at any relevant time after boating.

Frequently asked questions