Kegging Your Wallet: Investigating the True Cost of Beer Kegs

The Rise of Kegging

For the typical beer enthusiast, enjoying a cold brew on a hot summer day is considered paradise. It’s always been a popular pastime, but over the years, the rise of home-brewing and craft beer has transformed this simple pleasure into a full-blown hobby. And with this hobby comes an inevitable question: Should I keg my beer?

Kegging equipment ranges from simple to complex, which means the costs of implementation vary. However, home-brewers often assume that kegging beer is the pricier of the two options — kegs are the monopoly of large breweries, after all. But is this true? Let’s dive in and investigate the true cost of beer kegs.

The Cost of Kegging vs Bottling

Before we get into the specifics of kegging costs, we need to establish a baseline: How much does it cost to bottle beer? Bottling supplies include bottles, caps, cappers, and a bottling wand, and the average cost of these supplies ranges from around $50 to $100, depending on the quality of the equipment.

Conversely, kegging systems require quite a bit more equipment, ranging from the keg itself, a CO2 tank, a regulator, hoses, and a tap. On average, the cost to purchase a kegging system is around $250 to $300. Depending on the quality of equipment, this cost can range significantly. So, the initial costs of kegging are higher than bottling, but that shouldn’t be the only deciding factor.

The True Cost of Kegging

Kegging may be more expensive upfront, but the long-term benefits can’t be ignored. Kegs help reduce costs over time, and can even save you money in the long run.

The average price of a six-pack of beer is around $10 to $15, which equals roughly $1.67 to $2.50 per beer. However, if you purchase a keg of beer, the price per beer drops significantly. A typical half-barrel keg, which holds about 15.5 gallons or 165 12-ounce pours, ranges from $100 to $175 dollars per keg. This means that the cost per beer drops down to around 60 to 100 cents per beer.

But that’s not all. With kegging, you also get to avoid the costs associated with bottling, such as buying bottles, caps, and the time it takes to bottle and label the beer. Plus, there’s no need to worry about the environmental impact of bottles and caps. The keg’s reusability means fewer products will end up in landfills.

The Benefits of Kegging

Aside from cost savings, kegging has a multitude of other benefits. Kegs are easier to use, whether you’re dispensing beer or cleaning equipment compared to bottling. Plus, kegs are durable and can last for years, making them a smart investment.

Kegs are also great for parties, as they allow you to serve beer on tap, which is much more enjoyable than handing out bottles. Not only does it create a fun atmosphere, it also allows you to serve multiple types of beer.

FAQs About Kegging

1. Q: Can I use a keg to store wine and other alcoholic beverages?
2. A: Yes, kegs are versatile and can be used to store wine and other carbonated beverages.
3. Q: Will kegging change the flavor of the beer?
4. A: Kegging can actually enhance the flavor of the beer since it eliminates the risk of oxidation, which can cause beer to have a “stale” taste.
5. Q: Can I still age beer in a keg?
6. A: Absolutely, kegs work great for aging beer, especially those that are high in alcohol content.
7. Q: Is it easy to clean a keg?
8. A: Yes, cleaning a keg is relatively easy, especially when compared to bottling.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt that kegging beer has its upfront costs, but those costs are balanced out by the long-term benefits of savings and ease of use. Overall, kegging your beer is a smart investment that’s worth considering. Not only will you save money and have a great time, but you’ll also be doing your part to help protect the environment.