Beer kegs are great for a variety of occasions including house parties, holiday parties, weddings, and any other party where many people will be drinking together. However, ordering beer kegs isn’t a skill everyone has. You can order a beer keg from a variety of retailers online or in-store. Select your retailer, the size, quantity, date of delivery, and any addons at the time of order, and have it delivered at least 24 hrs. early to be safe.
Places to Order a Keg
There are lots of online and physical locations to order a keg of beer. I’ll cover both in-person and online locations.
In Person
You can order kegs of beer in-person from liquor stores, breweries, wineries, and some restaurants. To clarify if a business sells beer in kegs, call ahead. They will typically require advance notice, a deposit for the keg, and want the empty keg back afterward.
Online
For online orders, you can sometimes order from a brewery, but you’ll primarily be working with companies that offer many different brands and ship them across the country. Examples of online beer keg businesses.
1. Beer Run
2. King Keg
3. The Beer Junction
4. Belmont Station
Most of these companies will want you to fill out a digital order form, and/or call them to place an order. Make sure to clarify whether you are also buying the keg itself, or they expect it back again.
When to Order Your Keg?
Ordering your keg will depend heavily on shipping or pickup times. If you are picking up a keg in person, then allow at least 24 hrs. If you are planning to have a keg delivered, order it three to four weeks before you need it.
Sizes of Keg
There are several sizes for a keg, but only two standard sizes.
Standard Sizes
The standard sizes are mini and full. A full-size keg (a.k.a. a ½ barrel) holds 15.5 gallons. This is equivalent to 165 bottles of beer. A mini keg is the smallest size on the market and holds only 1.3 gallons of beer. This is equivalent to 14 beers.
Non-standard Sizes
In addition to the standard sizes, many (but not all) retailers offer three more sizes.
Cornelius Keg
The Cornelius Keg is five gallons, which is equivalent to about 54 bottles of beer.
Sixth Barrel
A sixth barrel is 5.16 gallons, which is equivalent to 56 bottles of beer.
(Slim) Quarter Barrel
This one comes in two shapes, the traditional quarter barrel (thick and short) and the slim version, which is taller. The traditional quarter barrel is no longer very common. Both hold the same amount of beer – 7.75 gallons. This is equivalent to 82 bottles of beer.
How to order a Keg Step-by-Step?
1. Choose your location.
2. Choose the size of the keg.
3. Visit the store in advance to place your order.
4. If you plan to serve at a wedding or similar function, check local laws to see if you need a permit.
5. Bring your State issued ID to pick up the keg on the appointed day (anyone who comes with must also have an ID).
6. Sign the paperwork to accept responsibility for the keg. This document will have information about what you are expected to do regarding returning the keg.
7. Give the name of the person who will be returning the keg.
8. Pay the keg deposit and pay for the beer.
9. Ask for instructions on tapping the keg before leaving the store.
10. Take the keg home with you.
Tapping a Keg
Remember when ordering a keg that you will need to tap it. Tapping a keg is done with either a party pump or a similar device. The place you ordered the keg from usually also has keg tapping equipment for rent.
FAQ
How cold should I keep my beer keg?
You should chill your beer keg to about 27 degrees Fahrenheit. You can achieve this with a keg refrigerator, or a bucket filled with ice.
Summary
Ordering a keg is a novel experience for many young hosts, but not particularly difficult. You have many options to order kegs of beer online or in stores nearby. To ensure enough time, reserve your keg at least twenty-four hours in advance. Most places will want you to return the empty keg, so be prepared to do so.
