Keg Craft Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy Fresh Brews

If you're looking to buy kegs of craft beer, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can explore local breweries in your area, as some of them offer kegs of their craft beer for purchase or rental. For instance, in Toronto, breweries like Amsterdam Brewery, Black Oak Brewery, and Great Lakes Brewery sell or rent out kegs in different sizes and varieties. Similarly, in Metro Vancouver, Storm Brewing Ltd., Dead Frog Brewery, and Granville Island Brewing offer kegs of their craft beer for sale. Another option is to check online retailers, such as Beerwulf, which provides a range of beer kegs in various sizes and brands, including Heineken, Birra Moretti, and Lagunitas IPA. Additionally, some companies, like Beau's, allow you to pre-order kegs of their craft beer and offer delivery services in select regions. It's recommended to pre-order a few days in advance to ensure your preferred beer and keg size are available. Prices for craft beer kegs can vary depending on the brand, size, and location, so it's always a good idea to check with the specific brewery or retailer for the most accurate information.

Kegs of craft beer in Toronto

Toronto is home to a variety of breweries that sell kegs of craft beer. Here is a guide to help you find the perfect keg for your next party or event.

Amsterdam Brewery

Amsterdam Brewery offers 50L and 30L sizes of their main brands, with prices ranging from $135 to $212. Their most popular options include Amsterdam Blonde and Big Wheel, as well as their (416) Lager. You can also rent a pump for a $100 deposit. Orders can be picked up at their Leaside location, and while calling ahead is recommended, small orders can be accommodated for walk-ins.

Black Oak Brewery

Located in Etobicoke, Black Oak Brewery offers a variety of keg sizes, including 20L, 30L, and 58.6L, with prices depending on the style of beer. For example, a 30L keg of 10 Bitter Years will cost $175, while their Nut Brown Ale or Pale Ale are priced at $140. Black Oak provides pumps for rent, and they may even be able to deliver the beer, depending on their availability. Contact them by calling 416-252-2739 or sending an email to erica@blackoakbeer.com.

Great Lakes Brewery

Great Lakes Brewery offers a range of keg sizes, including 20L, 30L, and 58L. Their lagers, Red Leaf and Golden Horseshoe, are more affordable options, while their Canuck Pale Ale and Devil's Pale Ale are priced higher. Beers from their Tank Ten series, when available, are considered "top tier" pricing. Pumps are available for rent, and it is recommended to call ahead to reserve your keg, especially if picking up on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays, as these are their busiest days for keg sales.

Indie Alehouse

Indie Alehouse can sell you a keg of whatever they are currently pouring, provided that kegs are available. However, due to high demand in their bottle shop, their inventory may be limited. It is best to call 416-760-9691 for pricing and availability.

Junction Craft Brewery

Junction Craft Brewery offers kegs of their regular brews, Conductors Craft Ale and Brakemans Session Ale. They also sell small-batch beers that may be pouring in their tap room, depending on availability. A deposit is required for their provided keg pump, and prices vary depending on the beer. Contact them by calling 416-766-1616 for pricing and availability.

Granite Brewery

Granite Brewery, located on Mount Pleasant at Eglinton, offers 20L kegs of their craft beers. While specific prices are not listed on their website, they can be contacted for availability and pricing details.

Steam Whistle

Steam Whistle offers a convenient and efficient option for your next party. They provide 20L, 30L, and 50L kegs, with prices ranging from $124.95 to $255.95. For an additional $49.95 service charge, they will deliver, tap, and set up the keg, providing a bag of ice, beer cups, and pickup after the party.

Local craft beer in Vancouver

Craft beer is becoming increasingly popular in Vancouver, with several breweries opening up in recent years. If you're looking to buy local craft beer in kegs, there are a few options to consider.

Storm Brewing

Storm Brewing Ltd. offers a range of six different craft beers, including Hurricane IPA, Highland Scottish Ale, and Black Plague Stout. The price includes a 37.85L keg (approximately 100 glasses), a bar-style pull tap, a tank of CO2, and cups if needed. They also provide guidance on how to set up your keg. Storm Brewing is located at 310 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC.

Dead Frog Brewery

This brewery offers five different beers in 58L kegs, including a Lager, Classic Nut Brown Ale, and Seasonal Citrus Wit. The prices range from $210 to $229, and a $150 deposit is required for all kegs. You will also need to rent a pump and a tap dispenser separately.

Granville Island Brewing

Granville Island Brewing has a wide selection of kegs in different sizes. Their 30L kegs, which include Island Lager and English Bay Pale Ale, are priced at $129. They also offer eight beers in a larger 50L size for $192. Pumps, taps, and plastic tubs can be rented from them as well.

R&B Brewing Co.

R&B Brewing Co. offers a variety of craft beers, such as Sun Gold Wheat Ale, Red Devil Pale Ale, and Raven Cream Ale. Their 20L kegs are priced at $86.50, while their 50L kegs cost $185. They also sell equipment like a hand pump, bucket, and dispense unit. It is recommended to order at least a week in advance as they have limited units available for rent.

Red Truck Beer Company

Red Truck Beer Company offers slow-brewed beer in both kegs and packaged products. They are located at 295 East 1st Ave in Vancouver, and you can place orders by calling their order desk or through their website.

U-Need-A-Bottle

U-Need-A-Bottle is a one-stop shop for craft beer kegs and equipment sales and rentals. They offer a wide selection of name-brand kegs and microbrewery products. In addition to kegs, they provide keg fridges with built-in taps, pumps, and cooler boxes. They also deliver to any location in the lower mainland for an additional charge.

Renting kegs and equipment

For example, U-Need-A-Bottle offers a comprehensive package that includes premium kegs from leading breweries and microbreweries, as well as refrigeration units, jockey boxes, hand pumps, and ice tubs. They can also deliver to any location in the lower mainland for an additional charge. Similarly, Love Beer provides a unique taste and aesthetic experience with their professional dispense system and a wide range of taps for multiple kegs. Their trained technicians deliver, set up, and collect the equipment, making it a hassle-free option.

Some breweries, like Beau's, allow customers to rent kegs directly from them. Beau's offers a range of keg sizes, including 20L, 30L, and 50L, with prices ranging from $156.95 to $334.95. They also charge a $50 deposit, which is refunded upon returning the empty keg. However, they do not rent portable draft equipment, so customers will need to source that separately.

In Metro Vancouver, several craft breweries offer keg rentals with additional equipment. Storm Brewing Ltd. includes a 37.85L keg, a bar-style pull tap, a CO2 tank, and cups with their kegs, and they'll even show you how to set it up. Dead Frog Brewery offers 58L kegs for their craft beers, but a separate pump and tap dispenser must be rented. Granville Island Brewing provides 30L and 50L kegs with the option to rent pumps, taps, and plastic tubs. R&B Brewing Co. sells 20L and 50L kegs of their craft beers and also offer a hand pump, bucket, and dispense unit for rent.

For those in Toronto, there are several breweries that offer keg rentals with equipment. Amsterdam Brewery provides 50L and 30L kegs, as well as pumps available for a $100 deposit. Black Oak Brewery offers multiple keg sizes, with prices ranging depending on the style, and they provide pumps to borrow as well. Great Lakes Brewery sells 20L, 30L, and 58L kegs with pumps available for rent. Junction Craft Brewery offers kegs of their regular and small-batch beers, along with a pump with a deposit.

Buying kegs online

If you're looking to buy kegs of craft beer online, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the availability of craft beer kegs can vary depending on your location and the specific brewery you're interested in. It's always a good idea to check with the brewery or retailer directly to confirm if they offer delivery or pickup options for your area.

When buying kegs online, you'll also need to consider the size of the kegs you need. Kegs typically range from 20L to 50L, and the right size for you will depend on the number of people you're serving and the duration of your event. Most craft breweries offer a variety of keg sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Options in Toronto

In Toronto, you have several options for buying kegs of craft beer online. Amsterdam Brewery offers 50L and 30L sizes of their main brands, with prices ranging from $135 to $212. They also provide pumps for a $100 deposit, and you can pick up your order at their Leaside location. It's recommended to call ahead for larger orders.

Another option in Toronto is Black Oak Brewery, which offers kegs in multiple sizes (20L, 30L, and 58.6L) with prices varying by style. For example, a 30L keg of 10 Bitter Years costs $175, while their Nut Brown Ale or Pale Ale cost $140. Black Oak Brewery can provide pumps, and they may even be able to deliver the beer to you if they're not too busy.

Great Lakes Brewery in Toronto offers 20L, 30L, and 58L kegs, with prices depending on the beer. Their lagers, Red Leaf and Golden Horseshoe, are typically more affordable, while their Canuck Pale Ale and Devil's Pale Ale are priced higher. They also offer kegs from their Tank Ten series, which fall into their "top tier" pricing category. You can rent pumps from Great Lakes Brewery, and it's recommended to call ahead to reserve your keg.

Options in Vancouver

If you're based in Vancouver and looking for craft beer kegs, Storm Brewing Ltd. offers six different craft beers, including Hurricane IPA, Highland Scottish Ale, and Black Plague Stout. The price includes a 37.85L keg (approximately 100 glasses), a bar-style pull tap, a tank of CO2, and cups if needed. They will even show you how to set up the equipment.

Dead Frog Brewery in Vancouver offers five different brews in 58L kegs, with prices ranging from $210 to $229. A $150 deposit is required for all kegs, and you will need to rent a pump and tap dispenser separately.

Granville Island Brewing in Vancouver has a large selection of 30L and 50L kegs, with all options priced at $129 and $192 respectively. In addition to their beer, you can rent pumps, taps, and plastic tubs if necessary.

R&B Brewing Co. in Vancouver offers a variety of beers in 20L and 50L kegs, with prices ranging from $86.50 to $190. They also sell a hand pump and bucket, as well as a dispense unit. It's recommended to order your keg at least a week in advance to ensure availability.

Online retailers

Online retailers like Beerwulf offer a convenient option for buying kegs, as they provide a range of beer taps and compatible kegs that can be delivered directly to your doorstep. Beerwulf offers three different sizes of kegs: SUB Kegs (2L), Draught Kegs (5L), and BLADE Kegs (8L). These kegs are designed to work with specific beer taps, such as the BLADE appliance or the BeerTender appliance, bringing the pub experience into your home.

Another online option is Beau's, which offers a small float of kegs for home customers. They recommend pre-ordering at least two days in advance to ensure your chosen beer and keg size are available. Beau's offers 20L, 30L, and 50L kegs, with prices ranging from $156.95 to $334.95. While they don't rent portable draft equipment, you can purchase it online. Kegs must be picked up from their brewery in Vankleek Hill, and they also offer keg delivery in select regions of Ontario.

Small-batch craft beer

Toronto

• Amsterdam Brewery
• Black Oak Brewery
• Great Lakes Brewery
• Indie Alehouse
• Junction Craft Brewery
• Kensington Brewing Company
• Mill Street Brewery
• Steam Whistle

Vancouver

• Storm Brewing Ltd.
• Dead Frog Brewery
• Granville Island Brewing
• R&B Brewing Co.

Online

Additionally, websites like totalwine.com offer a wide variety of craft beer kegs for purchase, with options for in-store pickup or delivery.

Frequently asked questions