Beer kegs typically come in two varieties: stainless steel and aluminum. Both kinds are highly durable and can last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. Stainless steel kegs are much heavier than aluminum ones and can better keep carbonation and flavor.
Aluminum kegs are easier to clean and tend to be less expensive, but they provide less effective insulation overall. Whichever type of metal beer keg is chosen, it is important to choose one that is specifically built to hold beer and not a generic, open-top drum.
Beer kegs will include all the necessary valves, fittings, and accessories already included so the keg can be used right away.
What grade of stainless steel is a beer keg?
Most beer kegs are made from type 304 or type 316 stainless steel, both of which are food grade. Type 304 stainless steel is the most common alloy used due to its corrosion resistance and durability.
It is also known as 18/8 stainless steel because it contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Type 316 is a higher grade stainless steel, mostly used for more corrosive environments such as salt water applications.
It contains 16-18% chromium, 10-14% nickel, and 2-3% molybdenum which increases its corrosive resistance even further. Both type 304 and type 316 are non-magnetic and have excellent formability and weldability, making them ideal materials to use for beer kegs.
How can you tell if a beer keg is aluminum or stainless steel?
Typically, it is easy to tell if a beer keg is made from aluminum or stainless steel from its appearance. Aluminum beer kegs are light silver in color, while stainless steel beer kegs are a dull gray color.
Additionally, it is easy to feel the difference in the weight between stainless steel and aluminum beer kegs. Stainless steel beer kegs are heavier because they are denser than aluminum. When tapping the beer keg, stainless steel kegs have a higher pitch sound than aluminum kegs.
When tapped the sound waves will travel faster in the stainless steel kegs due to their dense material. Lastly, aluminum beer kegs can dent easily, while stainless steel beer kegs are more impervious to normal wear and tear.
How do I know if my keg is stainless steel?
If you are not sure if your keg is made of stainless steel or not, you can examine the specifications for the keg manufacturer, or you can look for some physical signs. Most stainless steel kegs will have a smooth, silver surface and should be heavy for their size.
Stainless steel should also resist rust and oxidation, so any signs of rusting on the keg can indicate that it is not stainless steel. Additionally, stainless steel is a relatively non-magnetic metal, so if a magnet sticks to the keg it is likely not stainless steel.
Depending on the keg manufacturer, the keg may have a label indicating the type of material used in the construction, which should tell you if it is stainless steel or not.
Can I scrap beer kegs?
Yes, you can scrap beer kegs for their metal. Beer kegs are usually made of stainless steel, aluminum, or a combination of metals. Stainless steel is the most valuable type of metal you will find when scrapping beer kegs.
Aluminum should be worth the most on the scrap market, but stainless steel kegs are often valued higher due to their durability and low maintenance. Depending on your local scrap metal facility, they may require that you remove the valve and handles from the beer keg or may even require that you empty the keg first before scrapping it.
Is stainless steel magnetic?
Yes, stainless steel is magnetic. Different types of stainless steel contain varying levels of magnetic properties, and some types of stainless steel are even considered to be ferromagnetic—meaning they can be strongly attracted to a magnet.
Generally, the closer the material is to a pure iron composition, the more magnetic it will be. Martensitic and ferritic stainless steels, due to their high levels of ferrite, are the most magnetic types of stainless steel.
Austenitic stainless steels, such as 304 and 316, are not as magnetic due to their lower levels of ferrite. In some cases, even austenitic stainless steel may be somewhat magnetic due to cold working, though it is not strong enough to be considered ferromagnetic.
Are there aluminum kegs?
Yes, there are aluminum kegs. This type of keg is becoming increasingly popular for commercial, home brewing, and party use due to its lightweight design, easy portability, and durable construction. They are made from recycled aluminum material for a more sustainable product, and many of them are certified for use with food products, beer, and other beverages.
They are often considered to be a more cost-effective alternative to stainless steel kegs due to their lower price points. The main disadvantage to aluminum kegs is that their walls are not as thick as stainless steel kegs, so they require extra care when handling and transporting.
What are Anheuser Busch kegs made of?
Anheuser Busch kegs are made of a durable stainless steel material. The container is made up of two separate parts, the “shell” or “body” and the specialized lid. The shell is made from a type of stainless steel alloy that has improved strength, corrosion resistance, and temperature tolerance.
The weld on the edge of the shell provides additional reinforcement to the metal’s structure. The lid is constructed from a metal top plate and bottom plate with a Styrofoam sealer plug in the center.
The bottom plate is constructed from the same stainless steel used for the shell. The metal lid is sealed with an O-ring gasket in order to prevent leakages. In order to attach the lid to the shell, a strong metal hoop is used to hold the lid securely in place.
The entire keg is intended to be re-usable, though some areas require them to be returned upon finishing the beer in order to receive a refund.
What does Busch stand for?
Busch is the global brand name of what is also known as Anheuser-Busch Companies, one of the world’s leading producers of beer. Anheuser-Busch, founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1852, produces some of the most popular brands of beer, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Natural Light, Busch, Busch Light, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Shock Top, and Landshark Lager.
Busch has historically been known for its variety of beers, which often feature clean and crisp flavors and light body, making it an easy-to-enjoy beer for many different flavors and styles. It has grown to become the largest brewing company in the United States, producing more than 100 million barrels of beer a year.
The Busch brand has been a part of the fabric of American culture for years, with its iconic cans featuring images of sunsets and its lively commercials that often portray people enjoying a cold Busch with friends.
The company is also heavily focused on sustainability, with a focus on reducing water waste, diminishing CO2 emissions, and preserving natural resources. Through its efforts, Busch has become an integral part of American culture, and across the globe, it is known as one of the most successful brewing companies in the world.
Are beer kegs pressurized?
Yes, beer kegs are pressurized. The pressure inside the keg helps to drive the beer out of the tap and maintain the carbonation. When the keg is tapped, gas from the keg pressurizes the liquid beer in order to push the beer out.
This gas is usually a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Different beers require different gas mixtures in order to achieve the desired flavor and texture. This is why you’ll usually see different sized tanks behind the bar for each beer.
The pressure in the tanks is also adjustable, allowing the bar to serve different types of beer. The pressure in the kegs is also frequently monitored to ensure the beer is tasting optimal throughout the night.
Are corny kegs aluminum?
Yes, corny kegs are typically made of stainless steel or aluminum. They tend to be thicker and much more durable than traditional beer cans or bottles, making them longer lasting and easier to clean.
The most common type of keg is a stainless steel corny keg, although they can also be found in other materials such as aluminum. aluminum kegs tend to be less expensive than stainless steel and can be purchased in different sizes and shapes depending on the brewer’s needs.
They are generally easier to transport than stainless steel kegs due to their lighter weight and are also easier to clean.
Are beer kegs made out of aluminum?
Yes, beer kegs are generally made out of aluminum. It is light, strong, and relatively easy to handle. Aluminum is also able to resist corrosion, which is especially beneficial for a beer keg stored in an environment with fluctuating temperatures and high humidity.
Furthermore, aluminum is also naturally calibrated to keep the carbonated beer inside of the keg just the right temperature so that it does not go flat. Additionally, aluminum is ideal for beer kegs because it does not affect the flavor of the beer, does not have a sharp taste, and does not react with the flavor of the beer.
Finally, aluminum is also relatively inexpensive, making it a good option for large breweries.
Are kegs aluminum or stainless?
Kegs are typically made of either stainless steel or aluminum. Stainless steel kegs are the most common and are preferred by many brewers because they are more durable than their aluminum counterparts.
Stainless steel kegs also have a clean, metallic taste that some prefer in their beer. Aluminum kegs are cheaper and lighter than stainless steel, making them a popular choice for home brewers or those looking to save money.
Aluminum kegs also tend to take up less space than stainless steel ones and can be helpful in tight quarters.
How thick is a beer keg?
The thickness of a beer keg depends on the size and the material. Standard size beer kegs are generally built with a stainless steel body and aluminum top and bottom. Depending on the size and material, a beer keg can vary from 0.
60mm to 2mm thickness. A typical full-size (1/2 barrel) keg is 23-25 inches tall and 16-17 inches in diameter, and has a thickness of about 1.5mm. A pony keg size (1/4 barrel) measures around 14-15 inches tall and 16-17 inches in diameter, and has a thickness of about 0.92mm.
What are the dimensions of a keg?
Most full-size kegs are the same size and shape, referred to as a half barrel keg. They measure 23.3″ tall and 16.1″ in diameter. The most common type of keg are the so-called “quarter barrels”, which are 7.
75″ in diameter and just under 16″ tall and hold roughly 7.75 gallons, or 62 pints of beer. The sixth barrel, or “sixtel” (not to be confused with the similarly sized fifth barrel, which holds just 5.
2 gallons of beer) is a smaller keg with a slightly different shape; the sixth barrel holds 5.16 gallons, or about 43 pints. A Cornelius keg (aka “corny” or “homebrew” keg) on the other hand is a stainless steel container but with a cone-shaped bottom, used in some beer dispensing systems, and is much smaller than the traditional kegs.
The Cornelius Keg is two gallons and measures around 25″ tall and 8″ in diameter.
What size are beer kegs?
Beer kegs come in many sizes, ranging from very small (e. g. 4.8 gallons) to very large (e. g. 15.5 gallons). Commonly seen in bars and taverns are half-barrel kegs, which are 15.5 gallons and equal to about 165 12-ounce beers.
Sixth-barrel kegs are also popular and are slightly smaller, weighing in at 5.16 gallons (or a little over 50 12-ounce beers). Quarter-barrel kegs are then even smaller, weighing in at 7.75 gallons (or 82 12-ounce beers).
If you’re just having a small get together and don’t expect to consume too much beer, you could go with a Mini keg, which holds only 5 liters (~1.32 gallons/ 16.5 12-ounce beers). Finally, there are also the popular homebrew growler kegs, which hold 1.
75 gallons (~19 12-ounce beers).
