Larger quantities of beer can be stored in kegs. It stabilizes your drink and allows you to dosage the beverage by way of a tap. For parties, wedding receptions, and Sunday barbecues, there are numerous factors to consider when deciding if you need a beer keg.
Pouring your favorite beer from a tap is something you may wish to do on a regular basis as well. Knowing how much a keg of beer costs will help you make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing one. Let’s see what influences the price of this product.
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Beer Keg Sizes
Two distinct containers make up a beer keg. One of them holds beer, while the other is filled with gas that may be tapped. An average keg’s price is determined by numerous elements, but its volume and capacity are the most important.
The equations are straightforward. Your bill will go up the more beer is in it. If you want a 1.3-gallon mini-keg, you’ll have to fork over between $15 and $30. (5 l). Half-barrels containing 15.5 gallons (58.7 l) of wine cost upwards of $250.
The final cost, on the other hand, is determined by the beer brand, trade margins, the deposit, and taxes if any. There are three different price points for the same amount of Stella Artois beer: the half barrel is $200, the quarter keg $125, and the sixtel less than $100.
A half-barrel keg is what most people think of when they hear the word keg. However, the following sizes are also available:
- European keg
- 1/4-barrel keg
- 1/6-barrel keg
- 5-gallon keg
- Mini keg
The volume of beer in each of these sizes varies. Half-barrel kegs, the most common, hold enough beer to replace 165 12-ounce (0.35 l) bottles, whereas a popular sixtel (sixth barrel) only replaces 55 bottles.
Different Beer Keg Sizes |
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| Size | Volume | Average price |
| Half barrel | 15.5 gallons (58.7 l) | $200 |
| Quarter barrel | 7.7 gallons (29 l) | $100 to $150 |
| Sixth barrel | 5.2 gallons (20 l) | $70 to $120 |
| Cornelius keg | 5 gallons (18.9 l) | $70 to $100 |
| Mini keg | 1.3 gallons (5 l) | Approximately $20 |
| European standard | 13.2 gallons (50 l) | $150 to $200 |
There are two types of the quarter barrel keg, which is ideal for smaller gatherings. A normal width and a taller, narrower version are both available. Pony and tall kegs are commonly referred to as such.
Brand Affects Keg Price
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Regardless of the packaging, each variety of beer has a different pricing. For the most part, domestic beers are less expensive than imported ones, whereas craft brews tend to be more expensive.
A Half-Barrel Keg Price |
|
| Brand | Average Price |
| Bud light | $180 |
| Budweiser | $170 |
| Corona light | $230 |
| Miller | $190 |
| Heineken | $240 |
| Guinness | $255 |
Pricing fluctuates constantly, depending on market demand, the popularity of a particular brand’s marketing campaign, and other factors.
If you rent a beer keg at a discount, you will save a lot of money. Seasonal craft beer campaigns, on the other hand, that feature new flavors are more expensive. Dogfish Head artisan beer kegs sell for an astonishing $400, yet a Bud keg can be purchased for less than $200 at your local liquor shop.
Beer Keg Renting Costs
When purchasing a keg of beer, it is common practice to hire a keg and then return it at the end of the event. As a result, you’ll also have to budget for the cost of renting a bar. Any local liquor store, vineyard, or third-party seller can provide the same level of service.
You can order kegs online and have them delivered to your preferred location. However, in this situation, you’ll be responsible for covering the cost of delivery.
You’ll need help lifting the keg if you buy a beer from a local store instead of having it delivered. Only a deposit, taxes, and the cost of the tap are required in this situation.
Keg deposits can range from $20 to $50, depending on the keg size, the brand, and the due date. Between $15 to $30 is the cost of renting a tap.
You’ll receive your deposit returned if you bring back an empty keg. In most cases, kegs must be returned disinfected and cleaned before they may be sold. If you don’t, you’ll have to pay an additional cleaning fee of up to $50.
Other Factors
To keep costs down, you’ll need to consider other variables that affect the cost of a keg. What you choose to drink, where you live, and how many guests you have are all factors.
Due to the wide range of profit margins among retailers, it is prudent to acquire all the relevant information before making a purchase. Price differences between Costco and Total Wine might be up to $20 for Miller kegs.
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You should budget for one drink each hour per guest as a general rule. Half-barrel kegs can supply 40 people with beer for four hours, since they contain 165 12-ounce drinks (0.35 liters). If you also provide wine or soda, you won’t run out of beer, so that’s a plus. As a result, you could consider about having two sixtels.
Many brewers now provide the option to keg any beverage you like. If you want to serve your guests several different varieties of beer in the form of little kegs, then you can do so without having to make a choice in their name. To keep costs down, don’t forget to factor in the expense of kegging beers.
Keg Vs. Cans Price
There is a widespread belief that buying in bulk is more cost-effective. Keg rentals can be more expensive than buying beer in cans or bottles, though. Using a keg for a small party will not save you much money.
There is little difference in the cost of kegs and cans once you locate your favorite beer on sale. If you add all the rental charges to the price of a drink, you’ll only save pennies, not thousands. Tapped beer, however, is preferred by certain people because of its flavor and freshness. If you fall into this category, a keg is the best option for you.
Kegerator Price
A kegerator is a refrigerator specifically intended to keep beer kegs cool and fresh. You can’t keep it for very long once you start tapping it. It will keep for up to six months in the kegerator, on the other hand. After converting to only tapped beer from bottles or cans, you’ll save a lot of money this way.
Currently, there are a wide variety of kegerators to choose from. A few of them have two or more taps and an ice maker built in, while others are more compact and may be used in a home bar setting.
The temperature can be changed, despite the fact that they are factory fixed at 38 F (3.3 C). As a result, you will be able to keep the drink chilled without producing excessive froth.
According to its features, tap and brand, the price of a conventional half-barrel-keg kegerator ranges from $500 to $2,000 or more. It’s possible to purchase a second-hand one for just a fraction of the cost. In addition, the tiny kegerator costs between $50 and $400 to set up.
Conclusion
Beer keg costs can’t be pre-determined due of a wide range of variables. A normal half-barrel keg costs twice as much as a smaller variant. Remember that the price of a keg of the same brand and style of beer might vary significantly. Rental charges including deposit, tap, cleaning, and an ice bucket must also be factored in.
Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Beer
