The Ultimate Guide to Beer Kegs: Everything You Need to Know
When planning an event, ensuring your guests have enough to drink is crucial. Whether it's a wedding, corporate event, or a casual backyard gathering, understanding the ins and outs of beer kegs, beer keg prices, and beer keg sizes can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll answer common questions like "how many beers are in a keg," "how much is a beer keg," and more.
How Many Beers Are in a Keg?
One of the most frequently asked questions is, "how many beers are in a keg?" The answer depends on the keg size. In Australia, the standard keg size is 50L. Some select beers come in 20L, however these are much less common. Here’s a breakdown:
50L Keg: Approximately 118 schooners (425ml each) or 175 pots/middies (285ml each).
20L Keg: Approximately 47 schooners (425ml each) or 70 pots/middies (285ml each).
Knowing how many beers a keg can provide is crucial for event planning. It helps in budgeting and ensures that you won't run out of beer mid-party, which could be a disaster for any event host.
How Much are Beer Kegs?
The price of a beer keg varies based on size and brand. The cost of a beer keg usually increases with more complex beers like IPAs and sour beers compared to lagers. Generally, a 50L keg of popular local beer costs between $395.00 and $480.00. Specialty and craft beers can range from $450.00 to $500.00 or more.
The price difference is due to several factors, including the ingredients used, the brewing process, and the demand for the beer. For example, craft beers often use higher-quality ingredients and more labor-intensive brewing processes, which can drive up the cost.
What Are the Most Popular Beer Kegs for Sale?
At Boss Bar Hire, we offer a large range of beer kegs for hire. You can check out the full range here. Remember, if you are after something in particular which isn't listed, just get in touch, and we can source the keg for you. These are our top 5 most ordered beer kegs:
These popular options are crowd-pleasers and are known for their consistent quality and taste, making them reliable choices for any event.
How Many Schooners in a 50L Keg?
In Australia, a schooner is typically 425ml A 50-liter keg contains approximately 118 schooners. Here’s the math:
50,000 ml / 425 ml per schooner = 117.65 schooners
Understanding this can help you plan the number of kegs you'll need based on your guest list. It's always a good idea to have a bit more than you think you'll need to accommodate unexpected guests or particularly thirsty attendees.
How Long Do Beer Kegs Last?
The longevity of a keg depends on several factors, including storage conditions and whether it’s been tapped. Generally, an untapped beer keg can last 8-10 weeks if stored properly. Once tapped, it’s best to consume the beer within 2-3 weeks to ensure optimal freshness.
Proper storage involves avoiding exposing the keg to direct sunlight or drastic temperature changes, as these can affect the beer's quality.
Benefits of Using Kegs
Using kegs instead of bottles or cans has several benefits:
Wow Factor: One of our favorite things is still seeing our clients excitment when we setup a mobile bar with beer taps in their own backyard. The bar comes a talking point for the night, and your guests will love the novelty.
Environmentally Friendly: Kegs reduce waste, as they eliminate the need for individual packaging.
Space-Saving: Kegs take up less space compared to the equivalent volume of bottles or cans. 1 50L keg of beer is the same as 6 slabs!
Freshness: Beer from a keg is often fresher, as it is stored in an airtight container and kept at an optimal temperature.
How to Tap a Keg
Tapping a keg might seem intimidating, but it’s quite straightforward with the right equipment and knowledge. If you are going to be changing the kegs yourself (no staff) our team will give you a run down of how everything works & even get you to tap the first kegs so you are confident. We also leave detailed instructions behind the portable bar.
Connect the Coupler: Attach the keg coupler to the keg, as shown. Make sure it’s securely fastened.
Twist or Push: Either turn the keg coupler clockwise, or push/slide the coupler forward (this depends on the keg) and then push the coupelr down to engage the beer keg.
Pour the Beer: Open the tap and pour your first glass of beer. It’s common for the first pour to be a bit foamy, but this will settle after a few pours.
Properly tapping a keg ensures that your beer flows smoothly and maintains its freshness.
Planning Your Event with Kegs
When planning an event, consider the following tips to ensure your keg setup is a success:
Number of Guests: How many total guests are you expecing for your event?
Length of Service: From the first beer poured from the keg to the final song, how long does the event run for?
Seasonality: For example, red wine is more popular in the cooler months & beer has a higher consumption in Summer!
Drinking Habits: You know your friends and family best. Is beer going to be more popular than wine? Are you also offering Spirts?
As always, we will help you calculate how many kegs you need, as well as wine and spirits etc.
What ELSE can I hire with my keg?
We offer a large range of extra things to match with your beer keg. We hire Pot Glasses, Schooner Glasses, Wine Glasses, Champagne Glasses as well as things like Wine Barrels For Hire. You can check out the extras here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further assist you, here are some frequently asked questions about beer kegs:
Can I Return an Unused Keg?
We can take back some unopened kegs, please reach out prior to your event to ask if this is possible. This deppends on the type of beer keg.
How Do I Keep the Beer Cold?
You don't need to worry about that! Our high powered beer chillers flash chill the beer, so there is no need to worry about chilling down the beer kegs. However, if it is a particularly hot day and using one of our smaller esky systems, we do recommend adding ice around the keg which will sit in a tub which we provide.
Which keg system do I need?
This depends on a few factors - how many different kegs do you want running at once? How many people are going to be attending, and how many kegs total are going to be used. We work with you to ensure you hire the correct keg system for your event!
Conclusion
Understanding the details of beer kegs can significantly enhance your event planning process. From knowing how many beers are in a keg to understanding the different sizes and prices, this guide covers all the essential information. At Boss Bar Hire, we offer a wide range of kegs, including popular brands like Carlton Draught, Carlton Dry, and Hard Solo Kegs. Explore our Mobile Bar Hire, Keg Hire, and The Caravan Bar services to make your next event a hit!
With this comprehensive knowledge, you’re now ready to make informed decisions about beer kegs for your next event. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large party, having the right beer kegs can ensure your guests have a great time.
Cheers!
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