Keg Cost

Typical costs:

• A keg can cost anywhere from $40-$250, depending on the size of the keg, the type of the beer and local rates.
• The smallest size of a keg holds a little more than 5 gallons (about 55 12-oz cups) and is often called a sixer or a 1/6 keg. It typically costs $40-$80.
• For example, a Budweiser 1/6 keg costs $45, Blue Moon costs about $60, specialty seasonal ales such as Samuel Adams OctoberFest cost about $65. Total Wine, a multi-state beverage retailer, rents 1/6 kegs of Killian's Irish Red Lager for $46 plus deposit and Bud Light Lime for $48 plus deposit..
• The next size up is a pony keg or 1/4 keg, which hold 7.75 gallons (about 82 12-oz cups). A 1/4 keg of Miller Lite costs about $67 while a 1/4 keg of Modelo costs about $80.
• A full size keg holds about 15.5 gallons (165 12-oz cups) and is sometimes referred to as a 1/2 keg. The full-size kegs typically start at about $100 for American draft beers. Specialty beers, lagers and ales can cost from $125-$250. For example, Bevmo rents kegs of Budweiser starting at about $100.
• In addition to the purchase of the contents of the keg, there are additional fees required included a deposit on the keg ($30-$100), a deposit on a tap ($15-$50), a rental fee for the tap ($2-$15 weekly), a deposit for an ice bucket ($2-$20 weekly).

• When renting a keg, customers will receive a full keg of beer, as well as the optional tap (which includes a hose) and a large container to hold the ice.

• Some refrigerators are specially made for housing and dispensing kegs. Home keg coolers -- or kegerators -- start at about $300 for models that fit 1/4 or 1/6 kegs. Larger units that fit a full-size keg or multiple 1/6 kegs start at about $500. The units typically have a tap installed in the top to dispense the beer and store the keg in a chilled environment. Kegerators can keep a keg fresh for up to two month and do not come with the keg included. Kegs can be rented for extended periods.
• Plastic cups are typically sold in bags of 50 for about $6-$8.
• Bags of ice to fill the bucket cost $3-$5 each. Generally, at least two bags are needed; more for larger keg sizes.
• Beer pong is a popular pastime at parties with kegs. Beer pong tables cost about $100-$200. For example, BPONG sells tables for $120-$140.
• Beer bongs (funnels for chugging beer) generally cost $10-$50.

• Beers are typically discounted around major holidays such as Fourth of July and Memorial Day. Those might be times to find discounts on keg-size quantities.

• Kegs can be heavy, so make sure to have someone capable of carrying the weight. Each gallon of beer weighs about 11 pounds, so for a full-size keg be prepared to carry up to 165 pounds.

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