How to Get Draft Beer at Home – What You Need (Explained)

By Bobby Rock •  Updated: 06/08/21 •  8 min read

Do you want to have draft beer at home? Perhaps for a party, or just because? Well, it’s actually pretty easy to set up. You just need a few things.

You could get a kegerator, a refrigerator with an attached tap, but there are other options.

You could also use a keg and some taps to get a draft beer at home just like you would in the pub or restaurant and keep the kegs on ice to stay cool.

But if you want a tap set up for your home bar, you might want to look at the options on this page.

How to get a draft beer at home?

It’s a straightforward system and not as complicated as you may think.

You need a refrigerator large enough for a keg, and they do make all sizes of kegs, so do not worry too much about that.

You need a CO² tank. This is what pushes the beer out of your keg and keeps it carbonated.

The final thing that you’ll need is a tap system. This is what will be attached to your keg and the CO² tank for beer to flow out.

A kegerator is a great option. It will come with everything you need except the keg of beer, of course.

The option would be to turn a chest freezer into a Keezer. This may be the more affordable option if you want more than one keg of beer on tap.

The best option is to have a keg party and share one of your kegs with friends. That way, you’ll get more use out of the beer at home, as well as being able to enjoy it!

How much does it cost to install a draft beer system?

Installation of a draft beer system can cost anywhere from $50-$2500, depending on the type and complexity of your setup.

The average cost of a draft beer kegerator for your home is around $800.

Draft systems typically need electricity, water supply, CO² gas supply (cylinders not cartridges) for carbonation, and drainage to be installed in addition to the tap itself.

Installation costs will vary based on location as well– some areas may have additional fees like plumbing permits or inspection required due to local code compliance standards.

How do you buy Draught beer? 

You can buy draught beer at the grocery store, liquor stores, or you might have a bar that sells draft beer.

The best way to get it if you don’t already have one is to order kegs from your local brewery or local liquor store.

One keg usually lasts a month, and it’s cheaper than buying individual cans or bottles at the grocery store.

What is a keezer?

A keezer is a chest freezer converted to a fridge that keeps your beer cool as a kegerator would.

One person’s keezer may be different than another’s, but there are some standard features:

Two or more beers on tap.

A thermostat for regulating the temperature.

Casters to move it around quickly, if not on a rolling cart.

An external CO² tank with regulator and tap, so you don’t have to keep buying disposable cartridges.

Keezers are great, and anyone can customize a chest freezer to serve beer.

Are Kegerators worth it?

Yes, they can save up to $50 per keg, $200 per year.

Kegerators are a great way to have draft beer at home!

There is nothing better than serving yourself a draft beer at home, and your friends will love it too!

Kegerators are an excellent investment. They will save you money and provide your friends with the perfect draft beer experience.

Keezer vs. Kegerator, which is better?

 One of the most common questions people ask, what’s the difference between a keezer and a kegerator? 

The answer is both are great options for getting a draft beer at home, but there are some key differences to keep in mind when deciding which option suits your needs best.

Keezer: a Keezer is essentially a refrigerator with an additional compartment that holds a tap.

The advantage of this type of system over the kegerator is you have more room for other items in your fridge.

There’s no need to lug around heavy tanks as they are stored inside the unit, which may be helpful if you don’t have much space in your home or live on the second floor.

Kegerator: A traditional keg freezer keeps beer at colder temperatures than what occurs naturally in most freezers—typically between 36°F-38°F (unfrozen).

There are two types of these units – refrigerated vs. cabinet style. Refrigerated models keep beers at near-freezing temperatures but can be expensive and take up lots of space.

Cabinet models keep beer at room temperature in a separate unit that attaches to the main refrigerator with only one door for both compartments…

Where can I buy a kegerator?

Often you can find kegerators for sale at Costco, sams club, and even Walmart. I have seen them on Amazon.com as well.

But it may be worth it to find a company that specializes in kegerators such as MicroMatic.com“>micromatic.com

Will having a draft beer at home save you money?

Yes, buying beer in bulk and storing it in kegs can save you money.

A craft beer sells for about $4 a pint and up to $7 at a bar. Generally, you will save about $2 per pint from the retail price by buying in a keg.

Plus, the time and money saved in gas going to the store multiple times per week will save you.

Does draft beer taste better?

It does taste better but tastes depend on preference.

Draft beer is fresher, and the carbonation will have a more powerful effect due to being dispensed at higher pressures than typical bottled or canned beers, which are typically flat from going through the pasteurization process.

One of the main reasons that draft beer enthusiasts like craft brews over mainstream brands is because it’s not as heavily filtered before packaging, so you may get some sediment in your glass, and there might be a lot of yeast suspended in the liquid depending on what style you’re drinking (IPA’s, for example).

The best way to experience this difference is by comparing two similar styles- one served off the tap and one out of a bottle or can – side by side.

What is the difference between craft beer and draft beer?

Draught and draft are the same and pronounced the same (draft). It means serving beer from a keg.

When you drink draft beer, it is carbonated and fizzy.

The gas dissolves in the liquid because of tiny bubbles created by shaking a keg or pouring hard from a tap.

Draft beers are typically served at colder temperatures than craft beers (40-45 degrees).

This means that they have more flavor since less heat will destroy volatile compounds while still allowing some aromatic qualities to be perceived.

It also helps with head retention, which gives the appearance of thicker than other types of beer like cans and bottles.

Craft beer essentially means it’s a beer that uses more than the traditional beer-making ingredients and procedures.

Making beer with more flavor and more alcohol is also a popular trait among craft beers.

What is the worst thing about owning a kegerator?

There really isn’t much of a downside to owning one. But like some things, they can be a pain to keep clean.

Kegerators make a little more noise than a keezer does. They can also be a little more expensive to buy.

The biggest thing is that kegerators come with the COOP option, meaning you’ll need to replace your draft lines periodically as they start showing wear and tear after prolonged use.

Kegco sells replacement sets of two disposable line segments for $17.99 on their website HERE (or in-store).  

So there really isn’t much bad about owning one!

And it’s worth mentioning again, but these are some of the reasons people love owning a kegerator.

The biggest reason is that you can get a draft beer at home! This means fresh, cold, and domestic – all in your own kitchen or basement.

If you have one in your house, there are more chances for parties to happen because it’s just so convenient to be able to serve every flavor on tap without having crates of bottles cluttering up space (and we know how much party hosts hate clean-up). 

There really isn’t anything terrible about owning a kegerator, besides maybe those pesky COOPs…but don’t worry, they’re cheap enough where I’m sure even Chuck Norris could afford them.

If not, though, Keg Connection is here to help you find the best prices on COOPs, so don’t hesitate.

Having a kegerator at home means more reasons for friends and family to come over!

With an array of tap beers in your own kitchen or basement, it’s hard not to be happy just about every day.

Bobby Rock