Best Places To Buy Beer Kegs Online

If you're looking to buy a beer keg, there are several options available to you. You can either purchase one online or from a physical store. When buying online, websites such as Total Wine & More offer a wide range of options, including different beer brands and keg sizes. On the other hand, physical stores like Parkit Market in Dallas, TX, provide a large selection of import, craft, and microbrew kegs, along with the necessary equipment for tapping them. It is recommended to reserve your keg at least a day in advance, although some popular options may be available immediately.

Keg prices and payment methods

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 half-barrel keg of Bud Light can cost anywhere from $79 to $139, depending on the market (plus deposit). The reason for the range in price is that distributors, who sell the kegs to retailers, vary by state and market.

Keg prices do not include ice and cups. Some retailers offer a cups and ice package, which includes 50 cups and 32 pounds of ice. Some also offer free use of a keg tap with the purchase of each keg, and free use of a keg tub for customers purchasing a certain amount of ice.

Some retailers add a small fee for credit or debit card payments, for example, $3 per keg. A security deposit is also required on all keg equipment rentals.

One retailer, Keg Logistics, offers a 'Pay-Per-Fill' model, where you pay a fee every time a keg is filled and shipped to your distributor. The benefit of this approach is that it reduces the individual brewery's costs of purchasing and managing kegs. The per-keg costs of the program depend on the keg size and the distance it has to travel. For instance, a 1/6 BBL keg sent to a local distributor might cost $6 per fill, while a 1/2 BBL keg sent across the country could cost almost triple that amount.

Kegmaster, an Australian company, accepts the following payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Gift Voucher, Bank Deposit, ZipPay, and American Express cards.

Keg delivery and pick-up options

If you're looking to get your hands on a beer keg, there are a few options available to you, depending on your location and preferences. Here are some delivery and pick-up options to consider:

Pick-up options:

Some retailers, such as The Beer Store, offer in-store pick-up for kegs. You can order your desired keg and then pick it up at one of their Distribution Centres or retail stores. It's recommended to contact your local store well in advance of your desired pick-up date to ensure availability.

Delivery options:

Parkit Market in Dallas, TX, offers keg delivery. They have a wide selection of import, craft, and microbrew kegs, and they can also help you source a specific keg if you don't see what you're looking for on their website. They also offer free use of a keg tap and tub with the purchase of each keg.

Total Wine & More is another option for keg delivery. They carry a range of popular and craft beer kegs, and they also sell wine, beer, and spirits in their stores. They can provide guidance on the different types of keg couplers and can rent out the proper coupler for your keg order.

When considering delivery options, it's important to keep in mind that some retailers may have restrictions on where they can deliver kegs. For example, The Beer Store only delivers to licensee establishments and cannot deliver to homes or offices. Be sure to check the delivery policies of your chosen retailer before placing your order.

Keg rental and deposit requirements

• Many vendors, such as The Grizzly Paw Brewing Company, require a refundable deposit for keg rentals, which is typically returned when the keg is brought back to the brewery. The deposit amount can range from $75 to $100.
• To rent a keg, you must be of legal drinking age (usually 18 or 21 years old, depending on your region). A valid photo ID and the payment card used are typically required upon pickup or delivery.
• Keg rental agreements must be signed upon pickup, and there may be specific requirements or restrictions listed in the agreement that you should be aware of.
• The rental period is usually limited, with The Grizzly Paw, for example, requiring the keg to be returned within 45 days to receive a refund on the deposit.
• Some vendors, like Parkit Market, offer free use of a keg tap with the purchase of a keg, as well as free use of a keg tub if a certain amount of ice is purchased.
• Deposits are typically required for all keg equipment rentals, as mentioned by Parkit Market.
• In some cases, vendors may not issue a refund if the keg is returned untapped or partially consumed, as they cannot guarantee the quality of the product for resale.
• Keg prices usually do not include ice and cups, so these may be additional costs to factor in when planning your purchase.
• Some vendors may charge a small fee for credit or debit card payments, so it's worth checking if there are any additional fees beyond the listed keg price.
• For local options, it's recommended to reserve your keg at least one day in advance, as Parkit Market suggests, to ensure availability.

Types of kegs and their sizes

There are several types of kegs, and their sizes vary. The most common keg size in Europe, including the UK, is 50 litres. In the US, the most common sizes are:

• Half barrel (a.k.a. full-size keg): 15.5 gallons or 165 12-ounce beers
• Quarter barrel (a.k.a. pony keg, stubby or slim quarter): 7.75 gallons or 83 12-ounce beers
• Sixth barrel (a.k.a. sixteen): 5.2 gallons or 55 12-ounce beers
• Cornelius keg (a.k.a. corny keg): 5 gallons or 53 12-ounce beers
• Mini-keg (a.k.a. bubba keg): 1.32 gallons or 14 12-ounce beers

The Cornelius keg, also known as the "corny keg" or "soda keg", was originally used by the soft drink industry but is now commonly used to store and dispense beer, especially homebrewed. The mini-keg is a 5-litre keg produced for retail sales, with some brands coming with a spout that pours from the bottom via gravity, while others use a low-cost pressurised tap.

Keg couplers and compatibility

Keg couplers are a key element of any draft beer system. They are small but vital pieces of equipment that connect the gas and beer lines to your keg. Pressurised gas (either CO2 or nitrogen, depending on the type of beer) flows into the side of the keg coupler through an air line, and the beer flows out through a beer line attached to the top.

There are six main types of keg coupler, each of which works with different styles of beer:

• D-type coupler: Fits US Sankey keg valves, used by the majority of North American beers, including Budweiser, Coors, and Miller.
• U-type coupler: Fits some European keg valves, including beers from Ireland, such as Guinness, Harp Lager, Smithwick's, and Magners Cider.
• G-type coupler: Fits some European keg valves, used by some British, Dutch, and American breweries, including Anchor and Boddington's.
• S-type coupler: Fits European Sankey keg valves, used for popular European brews like Amstel, Pilsner Urquell, and Newcastle.
• A-type coupler: Fits most German keg valves and about half of Belgian beers, including Ayinger, Franziskaner, Hoegaarden, and Krombacher.
• M-type coupler: Fits some German kegs, including Schneider Weisse.

While these couplers may look similar, they are not interchangeable, so it is important to ensure you have the correct one for your keg.

Frequently asked questions