Keg Hunting: Where To Buy Or Rent Beer Kegs

If you're looking to buy or rent a beer keg, there are several retailers that offer this service. Total Wine & More, for example, offers a wide range of beer kegs for various occasions, including popular domestic lager, craft beer, ale, and imported beer. They also provide rental options for taps and beer kegs, as well as accessories like tubs, ice, cups, and snacks. Spec's is another retailer that offers beer kegs for various occasions, with both full-size and pony kegs available. The Liquor Bros also provide a range of beer options in kegs for rental at their retail location. Additionally, some breweries, such as The Grizzly Paw, offer keg rental services, which include a refundable deposit upon the return of the keg.

Keg rental prices

When it comes to renting a keg, prices can vary depending on factors such as the size of the keg, the type of beer, and the location. Here is an overview of keg rental prices to help you plan your next party or event:

Kegs typically come in various sizes, including sixth barrels, quarter barrels, and half barrels. The price of renting a keg can depend on the size you choose. For example, El Paso Home Brew Supply Store offers the following rental prices for different-sized kegs:

• Sixth Barrel (5.23 Gallon, 50 12oz servings): $80-$130
• Quarter Barrel (7.75 Gallon, 80 12oz servings): $100-$150
• Half Barrel (15.50 Gallon, 155 12oz servings): $160-$220

Specialty Beer Kegs:

Specialty beer kegs, such as those offered by Mireles Party Kegs, can vary in price depending on the brand and size. For example, they offer an 8-gallon Kirin Ichibban keg, a 13-gallon Stella Artois keg, and a 16-gallon Sierra Nevada keg, each with 50 cups, 40lbs of ice, and tax included.

Popular Domestic and Craft Beer Kegs:

Total Wine & More, a popular retailer, offers a wide selection of domestic and craft beer kegs at competitive prices. They sell over 200,000 kegs per year and have an "always available" supply of popular brands and sizes in their self-service, walk-in coolers. While specific prices are not listed, they offer special orders and rentals, as well as additional equipment like taps, tubs, ice, and cups.

Deposit and Additional Costs:

When renting a keg, it's important to consider additional costs such as deposits and equipment rental. Some retailers, like Spec's, charge a deposit for their kegs, which is separate from the rental price. You may also need to rent additional equipment, such as taps and pumps, which can incur extra charges.

In summary, keg rental prices can vary depending on the size of the keg, the type of beer, and the retailer. It's always a good idea to contact your local beer retailer or rental company to inquire about their specific keg offerings, availability, and pricing.

Retail locations

Beer kegs can be purchased or rented from various retail locations. Total Wine & More is a popular option, offering a wide range of beer kegs for different occasions, from large parties to personal kegerators. They provide a self-service, walk-in cooler with an "always available" stock of popular brands and sizes. You can also special-order kegs that are not regularly in stock by contacting their customer service. In addition to kegs, they offer taps, tubs, ice, cups, and snacks to cater to your event needs.

Another option is The Liquor Bros, which offers a variety of beer options in kegs for rental at their retail location. They have a range of full kegs, 5-gallon kegs, and quarter kegs available at different price points. The Liquor Bros also provide additional equipment such as taps and buckets, with associated fees for rental.

If you're located in Canada, The Grizzly Paw offers 20L keg rentals, which can be picked up at their brewery location or delivered to designated zones. They have a range of beers available, including Grumpy Bear Honey Wheat, Beavertail Raspberry Ale, and Three Sisters Pale Ale. A refundable deposit is required for the keg and any additional equipment, such as a keg pump.

Spec's is another retailer that provides kegs for various occasions. They carry both full-size kegs and pony kegs and charge a deposit for the keg. You can place an order by calling your local or preferred Spec's store, and they can guide you on any additional equipment you may need.

Deposit and refund policies

When purchasing a beer keg, you are essentially renting it from the vendor, and a deposit is required. This deposit is refunded when the keg is returned to the vendor. The deposit amount varies depending on the vendor and the type of keg. For example, at Pat's Liquor Leaf and Wine, the deposit for a keg shell is $30, while some craft beer kegs require a $40 deposit.

It is important to note that kegs should always be returned to the original vendor from whom they were purchased. This is because the keg remains the property of that vendor, and returning it to a different store may result in the rejection of your keg due to keg registration laws. In such cases, you would lose your deposit, and the vendor would lose their keg.

Additionally, many states have keg registration laws that require retailers and wholesalers to attach an identification tag to kegs exceeding a specified capacity. Returning the keg with the ID tag intact is crucial, as some states impose penalties or consider it a crime to possess an unlabeled or unregistered keg.

When obtaining a keg, retailers will typically record your identifying information, such as name, address, driver's license, and telephone number. This information is essential for tracking and ensuring the keg is returned to the right vendor.

It is worth mentioning that the deposit system is in place to encourage the return of kegs, as kegs are expensive, and breweries lose a significant number of kegs annually due to misplacement or theft. By returning your keg, you are fulfilling your part of the agreement, and your deposit will be refunded.

Age restrictions

When it comes to buying or renting a beer keg, it's important to be aware of any age restrictions that may apply. In most jurisdictions, the legal drinking age is set at 18 or 21 years old, and these age limits are typically enforced when purchasing or renting alcohol products like beer kegs.

In Canada, for example, the legal drinking age is 18 years old, and this age restriction applies when buying or renting a beer keg. The Grizzly Paw, a brewery in Canada, requires individuals to be 18 or older to purchase a keg rental and mandates the presentation of valid photo identification upon pickup or delivery. Similarly, Spec's, a beer retailer in the United States, requires individuals to be 21 or older to enter their website and purchase products, including beer kegs.

When buying or renting a beer keg, it's essential to comply with the age restrictions in your specific location. These restrictions are in place to ensure responsible alcohol consumption and prevent underage access to alcoholic beverages. As such, retailers and breweries will often require you to present valid identification to verify your age before completing the transaction.

In addition to age restrictions, it's worth noting that there may be other regulations and requirements surrounding the purchase or rental of beer kegs. For instance, you may need to sign a rental agreement, provide a deposit, or coordinate proper cooling and storage for the kegs. By understanding and adhering to these regulations, you can ensure a smooth and compliant transaction when acquiring beer kegs for your event or personal use.

Additional equipment

When purchasing or renting a beer keg, you may need to consider additional equipment to ensure you can serve and store the beer effectively. Here is a list of some of the extra items you may require:

Taps and Tubing

You will need a tap to dispense the beer from the keg. Some companies include these with the keg rental, but others require you to rent them separately. The tap connects to the keg via a tube, which should also be included.

Keg Pump

A keg pump is used to pressurize the keg, forcing the beer out through the tap. Like taps, these may be included or may need to be rented separately.

Cooling

Beer is typically served cold, so you will need a way to keep the keg cool. This could be a large tub or bucket filled with ice, or you may choose to store the keg in a refrigerator or kegerator.

Cups or Glassware

Depending on the event, you may want to provide plastic cups or glassware for your guests to drink from.

Snacks

It is customary to serve snacks alongside beer, so you may want to provide some food items such as nuts, crisps, or other bar snacks.

Deposit

Many companies require a deposit when renting a keg, which is refunded when the keg is returned. This is an additional cost to factor in when budgeting for your event.

Frequently asked questions