Admin on July 24, 2014 47 Comments Why Buy a Kegerator? When you buy a kegerator for your home, you’re not only able to conveniently store large amounts of cold draft beer, but you can also save approximately 40-60% in costs, compared to buying the same volume of beer in cans or bottles. Consider that the average cost for a standard half barrel keg of Budweiser is approximately $100. A standard keg contains 15.5 gallons, or 1,984 ounces. A case of Budweiser contains twenty-four 12oz. cans (288 total ounces) and costs about $23. To get the same volume by ounce as a standard keg, you would need to buy seven cases of Budweiser for about $160 – resulting in over $55 in savings per keg. This means by the time you purchase your tenth keg, you will have completely offset the cost of your kegerator in savings, breaking even while enjoying high-quality draft beer at home. The savings can be even greater for some brands of beers, as well as various keg sizes. In some instances, kegerator drinkers will break even in as few as eight kegs. Consult the chart below to see how much you can save. Average Cost of Half Barrel Keg Average Cost of Case No. Cases Needed by Volume to Equal Keg Savings Per Keg ($USD) No. Kegs Needed to Break Even on Kegerator Budweiser: $103.75 $23.50 6.88 $57.93 8.61 Miller Lite: $103.75 $22 6.88 $46.61 10.7 Coors Light: $94.75 $20 6.88 $42.85 11.64 Corona: $125.00 $26.50 6.88 $57.32 8.7 Michelob Ultra: $107.00 24.20 6.88 $59.49 8.38 Guinness: $167.00 $35 6.88 $73.80 6.76 Save Time and Energy with Keg Beer Drinking keg beer has other savings, too. The “greener” way to drink, the use of a refillable, reusable, and recyclable keg is far less time- and resource-intensive than consuming bottled or canned beer. Half-barrel sized kegs store the equivalent of 165 cans of beer – lasting at least six-to-eight weeks refrigerated before it starts to lose its freshness. The reusable keg can then be refilled, reducing waste and saving you time and money on more frequent beer runs. Kegs are also extremely durable and long-lasting. It’s not uncommon for a single beer keg to dispense over 20,000 pints in its lifetime – the equivalent of over 27,000 cans and bottles requiring disposal. Draft beer’s environmental impact can be up to 68% lower than bottled beer – mostly due to packaging differences. Waste from distribution, retail, storage and disposal can be over 45% of a bottled micro-brew beer’s CO2 emissions. The aluminum alone in 165 beer cans weighs five pounds, as compared with a standard, reusable keg that requires no packaging and produces no solid waste. More Kegerator Info: Kegerator Parts List & Definitions Step-by-Step: Kegerator Assembly Guide Troubleshooting Your Kegerator: Problems & Solutions 18 Frequently Asked Questions About Kegerators
Sean says October 2, 2014 at 10:40 pm I have been curious about the economics of a kegerator for some time now. Thanks for doing the research. Kegerator pros: draft beer at home is awesome, it is more convenient, more economical, and more environmentally friendly. I’d be stupid not to have one! Reply
Cole says October 15, 2014 at 2:17 pm I have a kegerator and by far it is not cheaper not atleast in Nebraska. I can easily get a case (24) of Budwiser for $15.99 or at worst $17.99. The keg runs $115. At that point its almost break even. Then take into account waste which in can beers is almost 0 keg beer varies depending on how the kegerator is set up but not 0 in almost every case. The other thing to look at is the amount of people drinking. It takes quite a bit of people to drink a keg, granted it is good for a couple of weeks but unless you are having people over constantly that’s a lot of beer. So in turn you buy a smaller keg $65 for a 8 gallon now you are losing money. The keg is not portable not at least easily so you still have to buy beer when you go somewhere. Maybe just a problem of mine but if I have a keg in my kegerator I am having at least a couple beers every night till its gone. Secondly I am telling all my friends don’t worry about bringing beer I have a keg without the keg I am less inclined to make sure I have enough beer for all my friends. I love my kegerator it goes great in my bar. Its a cool thing. It is a fun thing to mess with but the one thing I would not say is it saves you money on beer cost. The only beers I have found to be a cost savings are craft type beers because they are much more expensive in can/bottle form and not as much in keg form. Reply
Kevin says June 4, 2016 at 9:54 am An average beer drinker can polish off a 1/2 barrel in 6-8 weeks on average. Buy your barrels fresh and store them properly and it’s no problem finishing them. I like having a Kegerator because I get to choose what size beer I pour. 12 ounce cans limit your options. Reply
Brian says April 12, 2020 at 5:42 pm I agree. I have a Guinness kegerator, and found it’s the same price to buy the cans as it is for the keg. The most I have ever poured out of my keg was 82 Guinness glasses. I stopped using mine due to this. Granted, the taste was hands down better out of the keg, but the cans are 2nd best. Add in the time it takes to unhook the keg, bring it to the store, swap it out (takes 3 days to order one in my town), re-hook it back up, and it is just far easier to buy the cases. Once my divorce is done and I’m not penny-pinching, I’ll buy new lines and get another. In the mean time, cans it is. Reply
paul whalen says August 1, 2020 at 3:47 pm i don’t believe a word your saying . first of all your not buying a case of bud for 15 to 17 dollars. if you have your keg set up correctly it will produce zero waste. and if it is pressurized correctly and the correct temperature it will last 3-4 months. Reply
Mitch says October 22, 2020 at 1:45 am Not even. I just bough mind haze ipa which out the door with the keg was $144+tax for a 5gal keg which is 44-50 beers and a 12 pack runs $15-$17 Which means I paid twice as much for beer. Having said that I do like it but def not cost efficient unless you like that water beer in bulk Reply
Chris m says February 13, 2015 at 6:06 pm Am I paying to much? I pay $160 for a full keg of “dos”. Reply
Jeff Flowers says February 13, 2015 at 9:47 pm Hi Chris, Honestly, that’s a tough question to answer. $160 seems a bit steep for Dos Equis, but the price really will depend on your location and whom you’re buying it from. For example, I typically buy all of my kegs from a place here in Austin called Party Barn. A full barrel of Dos Equis Lager is currently listed for $136, and a full keg of Dos Equis Amber is listed at $112. Take that for what you will. There are a lot of variables that go into play on the cost of a keg. Best piece of advice, is to call around and ask about price. Cheers. Jeff Reply
Dave says May 9, 2015 at 10:40 pm I am completely happy with my investment in a kegerator we drink Michelob Ultra and went went through our first half barrel in about 13 day so i figure we will average to full sized kegs a month saving us 1,440 a year. Plus taste is win win. Reply
Trippy says May 24, 2015 at 1:47 pm Wow, I do like drinking beer on draft. I do pay for it. I am in Sunny So Cali And make my purchases at BevMo, 135$ for 15 gallons of Bud. I have to drive a good six miles to get there. Guy that orders there kegs there though is nice enough. He always keeps one in stock for me. About every 20 days. I member back in the day when every liquor store carried kegs and they cost 40.99$. Well thirty years ago. As important to me as taste (well lets face it. after 6 beers, the taste importance drops way down for any beer) all the dead cans and bottles that are every where. Maybe I am just getting lazy as I age? Reply
Bart James Comstock says February 2, 2020 at 8:21 pm Cheers to that. I remember buying a keg back in 2000 from the grocery store. I set it on the kitchen counter and broke the 4 inch ceramic tile. I’m older and wiser now at 41 and looking into getting a keherator for the new house… Reply
Craig says July 22, 2015 at 1:31 am “…a standard half gallon keg of Budweiser is approximately $100.” What! That’s $25/pint! I don’t think that would save any money! I think you meant “half barrel.” Reply
Jeff Flowers says July 22, 2015 at 9:15 am Hi Craig, Thank you for pointing out that error. I have corrected it above. Could you imagine paying $25 for a pint of Budweiser? I don’t think that’s a world I wouldn’t want to live in. Jeff Reply
Austin says August 4, 2015 at 9:07 pm the numbers seem off. idk where these averages are based out of but in ohio the keg is 121 after tax and a case of Bud Light is just under 20 bucks. i was thinking of buying one as an investment for college since by the time I’m out it’ll have saved me enough to more than pay for the kegorator but running my own numbers the cans come out ahead. they come out ahead even more once you factor in the cost for cleaning supplies and CO2. Reply
Scott Walker says August 8, 2015 at 7:14 am I may be b;ind but didn’t see. How much is a kegerator and where do I get one? I am liking this idea. Reply
Danny says October 30, 2015 at 4:52 pm Why would you bother with generic beer in a keg other than llfor a large party…ie bud, coors, miller…you get the idea. They are bottom tier beers that are cheap for a reason, get a keg so you can have REAL draft beer at home…not bud light, you might as well call the culligan man to fill your keg! Reply
Rich M says November 7, 2015 at 7:12 pm I have a double tap in my home bar and love it. I think I about break even on my commercial tap but come out way ahead on running home brew from the other. For home brew, I average about $35 for 5 gallons even cheaper if I buy kits in bulk/on sale. Reply
Kevin says January 10, 2016 at 10:56 am Keg beer here in Mass sounds like a better deal. I can get a halh barrel of Sam Adams for $160 any day of the week. 1/2 barrel of Bud $75.00 1/2 barrel of Yuengling $98.00 13.2 gal barrel Guinness Draught $170 BBC 1/6th. Steel Rail Ale $63 Sculpin IPA 1/6th. $100 I have a Beverage Air DD50 Kegerator with three taps. This thing easily holds two 1/2 barrels and two 1/6th barrels. On tap today Founders Breakfast Stout Yuengling Lite Sam Adams Boston Larger W/ a Keg of Guiness to replace the founders Which is almost empty. FYI- in the authors chart above Guinness Draught comes in a 13.2 gallon Keg (European measure) Not the American 15.5 gallon size. Reply
J says April 20, 2016 at 2:56 pm Do it because you want to, not because it can be shown to be cheaper. It really isnt cheaper. If you drink cases you don’t need to clean taps, clean hoses, pay electricity on separate refrigerator, own items like star san, pbw, tap and keg tools, buy/refill tanks of co2 etc. There are so many more costs not listed above. That being said I have a kegerator and I love it I also homebrew. So it’s a hobby. Reply
Roman says October 27, 2016 at 12:06 am Yes it makes the most sense for microbrewed beers. I’m getting 1/2 bbls for $165 plus tax for a craft beer that is $9.99/ 6pk. 165 vs. 274.73. Don’t forget to add the Co2 cost, I run a 5lb tank that is $18-20 to fill every 4-5 kegs. So this brings your per keg savings of $104. With your yearly savings you could buy top of the line perlick or high end micromatic taps.. Hey to each his own….. Kegorators really save if you’re into craft beer …especially if you’re buying your favorite beer via growler..@ $12/per. $371 vs. $165 keg or even worse bombers @ $7.99. $ 719 vs. 165… The numbers I used are of my favorite beer Begyle Crash landed Wheat ipa Reply
Roman says October 27, 2016 at 12:14 am electricity is a moot point because nobody I know prefers room temperature beer. Don’t get me wrong the higher the beer quality the the likelihood it tastes good on the warmer side. Some breweries even advocate drinking their winter warmers and bocks above 50 degrees. Don’t bother with pbw and star san just use Oxy clean and rinse well. Specialzed keg tools? I use wrenches & screwdrivers…. Keep it simple …. Reply
Roman says October 27, 2016 at 12:19 am get a higher abv beer 2.6% has you flying through the Ultra… Reply
Kevin says January 15, 2017 at 5:13 pm Electricity is not a moot point as when you don’t have a keg, you store bottles in your primary, food storage refrigerator. While this arguably leads to more door opens increasing electricity, it is still less than operating an additional unit. This math doesn’t work out for me at all here in Norcal. The only times kegs are cheaper is if you’re willing to drink anything, like IceHouse or Miller HIgh Life. Heck, even PBR is more expensive than Bud in a keg. Sometimes I can get a 1/2 bbl marked at $155 and same a very small amount of money. If you pay $10/6 pack it does save money, however, if you compare to $13/12 pack or $23/24 pack for craft beer or compare with 36 pack pricing of macrobrews at totalwine, it is honestly more expensive per gallon in the keg, do the math, it’s easy š Reply
Paul says March 10, 2017 at 2:10 am Ultra and you claim taste…..? Why not just drink NA beer… Clausthauler is better tasting than ultra & only about 2% lower abv Reply
Eric says April 16, 2017 at 7:58 pm I have a triple tap Edgestar, which pours three 1/6 barrels. My source is Grizzly Peak Brewery in Ann Arbor at $45 per 1/6 for excellent micro brewed beer for mug club members for a lifetime fee of $100. I presently have a porter and a scotch ale on tap. The English lager emptied at a party yesterday, so I will soon be picking up an IPA again. My kegerator is at my lake house where we reside about 6 months a year and still empty about 20 1/6 barrels a year. Frankly, I suspect my annual beer expense is about the same as bottles, because we happily consume a lot more beer. In Michigan, we return bottles, so not returning a 1000 bottles a year is a huge side benefit and clean up after a party is a breeze. I assume my cost savings on 1/2 barrels would be even greater, but having three beers on tap is total delight. Reply
Scott Thomas says April 17, 2017 at 8:29 am I like it for convenience and fresh draft beer. I don’t agree with the economics. Miller Lite is generally $15.99 around me, sometimes $13.99. I usually drink Revolution Anti-Hero. I get a 5 gallon keg for $108 at Binnys. That’s nine six-packs if my math is right. The cost is about the same. But a 12oz glass at a bar or restaurant is $6, that’s where the savings comes in. 5 gallons is over $300. Reply
Lo says May 27, 2017 at 1:42 pm My husband drinks 5 or 6 30 packs a week at a cost of $20.11 per 30 pack. Is a keg worth it in that case? Reply
Myles Lucas Christopher Ryan says September 27, 2017 at 5:10 pm I buy Busch light 30 packs at my local Walmart for $17.95. That is up from the $12.95 I paid just a few years ago. Currently, a 1/2 keg of Busch light, which is a little harder to find in my area, is going for $116 and holds 156, 12 ounces servings. At the Walmart price of $17.95 + tax price, that comes to approx. $91, for 150, 12 ounce cans. $25 less then the keg, and do not forget the $30 dollar deposit fee for the empty keg if not returned, the kegorator cost, or large bucket of ice and the cost of a tap. Factor in how fast you will drink it, and how long it will stay fresh, and for now, cans win over kegs. Reply
Ken Mandryk says October 26, 2017 at 3:49 pm I don’t get it.. I thought the more quantity you pay, the cheaper it is. This is not the case in Reno, NV. 1/2 bbl of Coors Light is $120. So the math is $0.73/12 oz cup. 36 pack of Coors Light is $22.00. So the math is $0.61/12oz Can. This is crazy.. It is $0.12 cheaper per can and you don’t have to worry about the beer losing CO2. Plus it costs money for the packaging of the cans and it doesn’t with the keg because it gets recycled/reused. Somebody needs to rethink the pricing of Kegs. I won’t pay them now. Reply
Blake W Barker says December 1, 2017 at 2:18 pm Exactly the same deal and prices here in Missouri. Reply
Just me says December 21, 2017 at 11:32 pm Agree I’m investing in this thing due to the 10 to 15 bottles of trash and the trips to pick them up? You are the only one to bring that fact up? And that is the whole reason I’m even getting a tapš Reply
Joe says June 14, 2018 at 10:53 am I dont know where they get their figure of $22 for a case of cans of Miller Lite. Here in IL, Greater Chicago Area, I don’t pay over $16 for a case of canned beer (sometimes $13-$15 if it is on sale). I think what it comes down to is how much you enjoy keg beer – because anyway you slice it, you are going to spend about the same. You will for sure spend more upfront for the kegerator, co2 and supplies. I would bet the cost to cool the keg is more electricity as well, vs. putting a 24 case in your fridge that you already have. Reply
Mr. Sir says September 26, 2018 at 5:36 pm 5-6 30 packs a week Lo? AA may be the answer! Obviously beer is much more expensive in Tennessee than every other state. A 30 pack of Bush lite for $17.95? Thatās about what I pay for an 18 pack of Mic. Ultra. Each to his own is correct. The kegerator is a āstatusā thing for most. There are no savings when it comes to the cost of draft vs. bottle/can. Itās all about the āIā have a kegerator! One with 3 taps in my lake house where I live 6 months out of the year. Who really cares. Bottom line, if anything, is convenience not economics. Going green – yes. The trash thing – absolutely. Storage – most definitely. The rest – BS!! I had three kegerators on my Hatteras. One in the salon, one on the bridge and one aft adjacent to the fighting chair. Non of which eliminated the need for bottled beer. The second time I ran dry while fighting a world record bill fish the kegerators went overboard. Thatās right, 300 miles out off the coast of gibralta in 11,000 ft. of water. Fired 8 if the crew as soon as we returned to port on my island. Now I have a brewery on a cruise ship I converted to follow my fishing yacht so I donāt run out of beer anymore. Thatās the new ticket, a mobile brewery with a bottling plant. Since making the change I have never come close to running out of beer on a fishing trip. It does cost a little more than the kegerator but weāll worth it. š» cheers little people Reply
Kegerator.com says February 4, 2020 at 1:18 pm Hey John, Admittedly, we have a bit of a bias here, but we recommend shopping for your kegerator at kegerator.com Cheers! Reply
Tripp Knightly says February 27, 2020 at 4:38 pm Your chart here might be even more useful if you had a few representative microbrews from around the country. Not everybody drinks mainstream; doubt I need to tell you that! Reply
Austin says August 7, 2020 at 6:41 am Where do you buy your kegs? I’ve seen 20L bud for 130-140 and half barrel for 340-50, it actually doesn’t make sense to get a keg when you get more fire less with cans lol Reply
David says February 10, 2021 at 7:00 pm We had a kegorator 10yrs ago. Couldnāt afford to keep it. My consumption skyrocketed. Fantastic product: my wifeās used to greet me at the door, after work, with a freshly poured 32oz schooner. Average keg lasted 18 days. Reply
