Best Beer Tap Buying Guide For Your Home Bar

If you're looking to buy a beer tap, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can try online retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and eBay, which offer a wide range of beer taps and related equipment at various price points. Additionally, specialised websites like KegWorks and BeverageCraft provide specific products such as keg pumps, tap handles, and kegerator kits. For official brand-related gear, sites like ShopBeerGear offer products featuring popular beer brands. Alternatively, you may want to explore the websites of specific breweries, as some of them sell tap handles directly to customers. Lastly, local hardware stores like Ace Hardware can be a good option for finding the necessary hardware to build your own tap handles.

Where to buy beer taps and tap handles:

Online retailers like Amazon and Walmart

Walmart, on the other hand, offers a diverse selection of beer taps, including tap pumps, draft beer towers, and keg couplers. The prices vary, with some products priced as low as $8.78 for plastic beer faucet handles and $9.29 for a clear beer line tool set with a picnic tap faucet. Walmart also offers a Tap Pro bottled beer dispenser for $9.99, providing a cost-effective option for customers.

Both Amazon and Walmart provide customers with a variety of choices, catering to different preferences and budgets. The websites offer detailed information about each product, including pricing, availability, and, in the case of Amazon, customer ratings and reviews. By offering a range of beer taps and accessories, these online retailers ensure that customers can find the products that best suit their needs, whether they are individuals looking for a personal beer tap or businesses requiring equipment for a restaurant or bar setting.

In addition to the beer taps themselves, Amazon and Walmart also provide related products such as kegs, beer lines, and tap handles, offering a one-stop solution for customers looking to purchase all the necessary equipment for dispensing and serving beer. With their competitive pricing, product variety, and convenient online shopping experience, these retailers make it convenient and accessible for customers to find and purchase the beer taps and related accessories they require.

Brewery websites

Many breweries offer beer taps and tap handles for sale on their websites. For example, the official online store of Anheuser-Busch sells gear from popular beer brands like Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, and Busch Light. Similarly, Rogue and Lazy Magnolia, a local Mississippi brewery, also offer beer taps and handles on their websites.

Additionally, some breweries may offer personalised tap handles with unique designs. For instance, BeverageCraft provides customers with the option to customise their tap handles, with prices starting at $17.67.

While some breweries sell beer taps and handles directly through their websites, others may require you to contact them or a distributor to make a purchase. It is worth reaching out to the brewery to inquire about their specific purchasing process.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that prices for beer taps and handles can vary depending on the specific product and brewery. Some breweries may offer more competitive prices than others, so it is beneficial to compare prices across different websites before making a purchase.

eBay

If you're looking to buy a beer tap, eBay has a wide selection available. You can find both new and used beer taps for sale, including commercial and collectible beer tap handles and knobs.

For those interested in commercial beer tap handles, eBay offers a range of options such as air and beer line hoses, CO2 and nitrogen air tanks, draft beer parts and accessories, drip and drain pans, empty kegs, faucets and shanks, and more. These items are typically listed as either auctions or "Buy It Now," with prices ranging from under $30 to over $70.

Collectors, on the other hand, can explore a variety of collectible beer tap handles and knobs on eBay. The options include vintage and antique beer taps, as well as taps from well-known brands like Budweiser, Miller, Hamm's, Schmidt, and LoneStar. The prices for these collectible taps vary, with some starting as low as $8.95 for a new item, while others are listed as auctions or "Buy It Now."

In addition to the handles and knobs, eBay also offers complete beer tap systems. These systems often include the necessary parts and accessories for draft beer dispensing, such as keg couplers, pumps, and kegerators. The listings on eBay provide a range of options for those looking to set up a beer tap system, whether for commercial or personal use.

Whether you're a collector, a business owner, or simply looking to install a beer tap at home, eBay presents a diverse marketplace for acquiring the desired beer tap handles, knobs, and systems.

In-person hardware stores

If you're looking to purchase a beer tap in person, there are a few options for hardware stores you can visit.

One option is to check out your local hardware store. These stores often carry a variety of tools and equipment, including those related to beverage dispensing. You can inquire about beer taps with the staff and they should be able to point you in the right direction. If they don't have what you're looking for in stock, they may be able to order it for you or direct you to a store that specializes in such products.

Another option is to visit a specialty hardware store that focuses on kitchen and bar equipment. These stores often carry a wider range of beer taps and other related products. They usually have knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the right tap for your needs and may even offer installation services. Some popular stores in this category include checking out local specialty stores or exploring online options for specific recommendations. Visiting these stores allows you to physically examine the products, ensuring you find the perfect beer tap for your requirements.

Additionally, you can explore home improvement stores that offer a diverse range of products, including those related to beverage dispensing. Stores like "Lowe's" or "Menards" often have sections dedicated to kitchen and bar equipment, where you might find beer taps and necessary accessories. The advantage of visiting these stores is that you can benefit from the expertise of staff who can guide you toward the best options available.

By visiting these hardware stores in person, you'll not only have the opportunity to see the beer taps up close but also seek advice from professionals. This can be particularly useful if you're unsure about the specific type of beer tap you need or if you have any installation queries. So, whether you're looking for a simple tap for your kegerator or a more sophisticated draft beer tower, exploring these in-person hardware stores can be a great starting point.

Keg suppliers

If you're looking to buy a keg, there are a few options available to you. Firstly, you could try Total Wine & More, which sells beer, wine, and kegs in-store and online. They offer a range of keg sizes, including half-barrel, quarter-barrel, sixth-barrel, Cornelius keg, and mini-keg, with capacities ranging from 15.5 gallons to 1.32 gallons. The cost of a keg of beer will depend on the size and brand; for example, a half-keg of Dos Equis Amber costs around $158 plus a small deposit, while a half-keg of Stieglitz Grapefruit is $220 plus deposit.

Another option is Kegco, which offers a large selection of commercial beer kegs in various sizes, from large to small, and in bulk quantities. They also provide parts and accessories for ongoing use and maintenance.

You could also try contacting local breweries, which may be able to provide you with a keg directly. Additionally, online marketplaces like eBay offer a wide range of kegs and related equipment at potentially lower prices than official retailers or breweries.

When purchasing a keg, it's important to consider the coupler type required, as different kegs use different couplers, such as the Sankey coupler, which has a single opening at the top for gas and beer flow. The sales associate at the point of purchase should be able to advise on the correct coupler for your keg.

Frequently asked questions