Keg Beer Buying Guide For Your Next Party

Planning a party and wondering what keg beer to buy? There are a variety of options available, from cheap mini beer kegs to lager kegs, craft beer kegs, and wine and prosecco kegs. When buying a keg, it's important to keep in mind that beer is a fresh product and should be consumed within 5-7 days of tapping. Additionally, make sure you have the necessary dispensing equipment, such as coolers, lines, gas, and keg connectors. With options from popular breweries worldwide, you can offer your guests a range of beverages to suit their tastes.

Popular lager kegs

When it comes to the most popular lager kegs for a party, there are several options to consider. Firstly, Peroni Nastro Azzurro is a well-known choice, offering an 11-gallon (50-litre) keg that serves 88 pints at 5.1% ABV. This option is priced at £266.88. If you're looking for a larger quantity, the 50-litre kegs from Tuborg Lager, Coors Light, and Stella Artois are also popular. These provide 88, 88, and 80 pints, respectively, and their prices range from £170.57 to £216.40.

For those who prefer a smaller quantity, Birra Moretti offers a 30-litre keg that serves 52 pints at 4.6% ABV. This option is priced at £155.53. Another popular choice is the Camden Town Hells lager, which comes in both 50-litre and 30-litre kegs, serving 88 and 52 pints, respectively. The larger option is priced at £220.00, while the smaller one is £127.69.

If you're looking for a higher ABV, the Asahi Super Dry lager keg provides 5.2% ABV and serves 88 pints with its 50-litre keg, priced at £244.34. Additionally, the Brooklyn Lager, with 5.2% ABV, offers a smaller 30-litre keg that serves 52 pints and is priced at £167.75.

When choosing a lager keg for your party, it's important to consider the size of your guest list and their drinking preferences. The options provided above offer a range of quantities, ABVs, and prices to suit different needs and budgets. Remember to plan accordingly, as fresh beer kegs should be consumed within a certain timeframe to ensure optimal taste and quality.

Craft beer kegs

When purchasing a craft beer keg, it is important to ensure you have the necessary equipment for dispensing and serving the beer. This includes a compatible tap, a way to keep the keg pressurised, and a coupler that attaches the keg to the tap. You can either purchase or rent this equipment from most retailers.

If you are looking for a simple and cost-effective option, you can keep the keg in a tub of ice during your party and use a "party pump" to serve the beer. However, this method may affect the flavour of the beer, as it will be exposed to the atmosphere and may start to oxidise within a couple of days.

For those who are serious about serving craft beer from a keg, investing in a "kegerator" is an option. Kegerators are refrigerators dedicated to holding kegs and can be purchased pre-built or custom-built to hold several kegs.

When planning your party, consider the duration of the event, the number of guests, and their drinking preferences to determine the appropriate amount of beer needed. As an example, for a three-hour party with 50 average drinkers, you would need approximately 204 beers.

• Spaten Hells Craft Beer 5.2% – 50 Litres
• Camden Town Hells 4.6% – 50 Litres
• Brooklyn Lager 5.2% – 30 Litres
• Camden Town Hells 4.6% – 30 Litres

Stout and porter kegs

If you're a fan of stouts and porters, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to kegs for your party. Stout and porter kegs are available in various sizes, including 20L, 30L, 41L, and 50L. The right size for you will depend on the number of guests you're expecting and how much beer you think they'll consume. Remember that a 20L keg contains 32 pints, so you can use that as a guideline when deciding on the keg size.

When selecting a stout or porter keg, you'll also want to consider the specific type of beer you prefer. For example, if you're a fan of chocolate flavours, you might opt for the Collective Arts Stranger Than Fiction, which is a smooth porter with a generous amount of chocolate notes. Or, if you prefer something with hints of blueberries and chestnuts, you could choose the Garage x 3 Sons Airtight stout. For those who enjoy the taste of dark fruits, the Delirium Christmas, a strong Belgian stout, or the Lervig Naughty & Nice, with notes of caramel toffee, could be excellent choices.

In addition to these options, Guinness, a well-known and popular stout, is also available in 30L and 50L kegs. John Smiths, another classic beer option, can be found in 50L kegs.

When purchasing a keg, remember to plan ahead and consider any necessary equipment, such as a dispenser or tap system, to ensure you can serve the beer at your party without any issues.

German/Bavarian kegs

If you're looking for German or Bavarian kegs for your party, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you can choose between stainless steel kegs and traditional wooden barrels. For example, the Party-KEG from SCHÄFER Container Systems is designed to look like a traditional wooden barrel, complete with a Bavarian bung system, and can hold between 10 and 30 litres of beer. This option offers a rustic appearance and constant drinking temperatures, ensuring that your guests can enjoy fresh draught beer.

Alternatively, BLEFA BEVERAGE SYSTEMS offers a stainless steel keg with a Bavarian tapping system, which can be operated without a tap system. This keg also has the advantage of being customisable, allowing you to add a logo or lettering to promote your brand or event.

When it comes to the type of beer, you have a wide range of German and Bavarian options to choose from. Popular brands include Paulaner, Hofbrau, Hacker-Pschorr, Spaten Helles, Lowenbrau, Krombacha, and Rothaus. These beers come in different styles, such as lager, wheat beer, and pilsner, and range in alcohol content from around 4.5% to 6%.

For example, Paulaner's Munchner Hell is a 4.9% lager with a mild, elegant malt flavour and a hint of sweetness. On the stronger side, Paulaner's Oktoberfest is a 6% lager with rich, caramel notes and a smooth finish. If you're looking for a wheat beer, Paulaner also offers a 5.5% weissbier with a mild banana aroma and a balanced sweet and bitter taste.

Another option is Hofbrau's Original, a 5.1% lager with a luminous golden yellow colour and a refreshing, slightly malty taste. Or, for a classic German Hefeweizen, try their Munchener Weisse, a 5.1% wheat beer with a doughy bread character and spicy, herbal hops.

These are just a few examples of the German and Bavarian kegs and beers available to choose from. By considering the style of beer, alcohol content, and branding options, you can find the perfect keg to suit your party's theme and your guests' tastes.

Mini beer kegs

When it comes to throwing a party, mini beer kegs are a fantastic option. They are a great way to serve beer at your event, offering a fun and convenient drinking experience for your guests. Mini kegs are a good choice if you're looking for something more interesting than a standard bottle or can, but don't want to commit to a full-size keg. They are also a good option if you're looking for a more sustainable alternative to single-use containers.

Mini kegs typically hold around 50 litres of beer, which is enough for about 88 pints or 14 standard drinks. This makes them perfect for smaller gatherings or for offering a variety of beer options at a larger event. You can choose from a range of popular beers, including lagers, pilsners, wheat beers, and craft beers, from well-known breweries around the world. Some of the beers available include Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Tuborg Lager, Stella Artois, Coors Light, and Brooklyn Lager.

When buying mini kegs, consider the type of beer your guests will enjoy and the overall theme or style of your party. You may want to offer a variety of options, including different styles and flavours of beer, to cater to a range of tastes. Also, keep in mind that you may need to purchase or rent additional equipment, such as a beer pump or tap system, to serve the beer from the kegs.

Mini kegs are a great way to elevate your party and offer your guests a unique and enjoyable drinking experience. With a range of beer options available, you can find the perfect mini kegs to suit your event and ensure your guests have a great time.

Frequently asked questions