I need some information about kegs and taps?

Question

We are having a party and are getting rootbeer in a keg. We have never dealt with kegs before and I need help.

1. How much is a keg? I know there are 1/2 kegs and 1/4 kegs but how many ounces do they hold?

2. What's the deal with the tap? I know we have to give a deposit for the tap but what is it for? How does it work? What do we do with it?

3. Is it pre- carbonated? Or is that what the tap does????

4. How do we keep the root beer cold? I'm assuming it doesn't come insulated, is there a way to keep it cold in this hot, hot, weather?

5. Is there anything else I need to know? Do I have a certain time to return to tap and keg back by (like rentals)?

Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

1. Half kegs are approx 15.5 gallons, 1/4 kegs are normally around 7 gallons.

2. The tap is the part of the keg system that basically locks on the top of the keg and "taps" into it. The tap will have a pump on the top that you push a few times and it builds pressure up within the keg...which then pushes the fluid (beer, root beer) out the dispenser part into your cup. The deposit for the tap you will get back when you return it.

3. not pre-carbonated, the tap is the pressure source.

4. best thing to do is go to costo or somewhere where you can get a large bucket (big enough for the keg + extra room), then put the keg in the bucket and full around the keg with ice. that should do the trick quite well! or you can use a large trash can and do the same.

5. ask the person you are getting the keg from, im sure it varies from polace tyto place. most kegs are a single deposit type. you basically rent a keg and pay for the deposit ($45 mabee) then if you return it you get hte money back...but if you plan on doing the keg again and again, keep the keg (basically you bought it with your deposit) and then the next time you get a keg, you give them your empty one and they give you a new full one. your keg is the deposit in this situation.

Answer 2

I've never bought root beer in a keg, so it may not be the same as beer...
1) 16 gallons per keg..you do the math
2) The tap is how you get it out of the keg. It's pretty easy nowdays to tap a keg. You take out a paper keeping the valve clean, insert the tap into the valve. Screw down the collar so that the tap is inserted further into the valve and is locked down and airtight. The tap has a hose with a dispensing valve on it and that's where the product comes out. Brilliant !
3) If it's kegged, I would assume it is. Otherwise, you'd be getting a cannister of syrup and a bottle of CO2.
4) You put in inside something and put ice around it. Garbage can works.
5) Usually, the vendor will tell you the keg has to be back by a certain date. Talk with your vendor...they can probably answer these questions with a little demo , too.
cheers,

Answer 3

1) A full keg is a 31 US gallon barrel, but due to the unavailability of full kegs a half-keg is what most people commonly consider a keg. A keg in most contexts has a volume of 15 US gallons.

2) It a spout where the beer will come out of.

3) The keg is already pressureized, the tap will release the beer carbonated for you.

4) You need to keep the whole keg on ice. Get a big round cooler and fill it will ice. Continue to do so throughout the day.

5. Nope. They will tell you when you have to return it by to get back your deposit.

Answer 4

1 I forget - a 1/4 barrel should be more than enough for a party of 30 or so. It equates to a certain number of pitchers.

2 The tap is how you get the root beer out. It pressurizes the keg so the fluid will come out - too much pressure and the rootbeer will get really fizzy.

3 Yes, the root beer should be pre-carbonated. Sprecher rootbeer - the only rootbeer I know to come in kegs - has a low carbonation.

4 An Ice bath is the best way to keep it cold - get a keg tub or keep it in a bath tub full of ice.

5 Check with your supplier for return times.

hope that helps! ;-)

Answer 5

Sprecher Root Beer Keg

Answer 6

generally, you get beer in a keg.
1) never the less, it has about 15.5 gallons in it.
2) screw the tap into the top of the keg. you will not need to pump it much when it's full. but as it runs out, it will take more pumps. if you over pump it, there is a button on the side of the tap that lets you release the air. you'll know if it's over pumped cuz the drinks will just be full of foam.
3) the come ready to drink
4)generally you can rent a bucket from the vendor, or put the keg in a garbage can and put ice in there. a few bags are needed
5) you return it as soon as you want your depost back...that's why they take one...because if you don't bring it back it's yours.

Answer 7

1. I'm unsure as to the price of kegs filled with root-beer. Normally, they hold several gallons.
2. The tap is the means to extract the beer from the keg and into one's cup. Typically, you screw it on and pump it up to maintain pressure. There is a button on top to allow the beer to flow.
3. Yes. No.
4. In a plastic tub, filled with ice. They should have them where you're getting the keg.
5. Usually, there is a specific time. Besides, the faster you get it back, the quicker you get your deposit back.

Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Sometimes pre mixed carbonated sodas come in whats called a cornilious keg holding 5 gal. You can rent taps for these at a home brew store. Simple ones use air to push it out but use it in a day or it will go flat.

Answer 9

It is already carbanated. take the tap, put in on that top part of them keg as if screwing it on, turn it 1/2 turn, and push the handle down. you are ready to go. Go to walmart or Kmart or even Home depot, and get a large enough bucket, put the keg in it, and put ice around the whole keg. oh yea...you are probably getting one of those crappy taps that you get at partie (sorry...use to work at a bar). you are going to have to pump the tap. just like a well when you were younger, and push the little nozel, and there you go. have fun!!!!!

Answer 10

Ask the vendor.
Ninety hundred ninety nine thousand, nine hundred ninety nine beers on the wall. etc, etc.