Greatest Kegators for 2022 | Saveur

For beer lovers, a kegerator is the final word dwelling equipment. It permits drinkers to have a draft expertise within the consolation of their very own dwelling, and for a lot of, draft beer reigns supreme over consuming from cans or bottles. 

“I personally assume draft is the very best format for capturing the complete vary of aroma and style traits of most beers,” says Kayla Gibbens, assistant brewmaster at Widmer Brothers.

Plus, having a kegerator will assist you to finally pay much less for beer and is a extra eco-friendly choice than shopping for beer in cans or bottles. “Having a kegerator in your house means which you can take pleasure in recent draft beer anytime, and the associated fee is cheaper per serving,” says Jimmy Mauric, head brewmaster at Shiner Beer. “Lastly, it’s environmentally pleasant as a result of there’s no cardboard and no cans or bottles to go to waste.”

And whereas kegerators typically converse to beer lovers and homebrewers, you can even use it for pouring up kombucha, chilly brew espresso, tender drinks, and extra. 

If you happen to’re able to serve up some chilly drinks, then learn on to see our picks for greatest kegerators.

Our High Picks

Greatest Total: Kegco Twin Faucet Digital Business Out of doors Kegerator

Dimensions: 24” x 34.125” x 25” | Supplies: stainless-steel | Keg Capability: full, half, quarter, quarter slim, one-sixth barrel, or Cornelius keg

Why we selected it: Kegco is a revered kegerator model, and this mannequin has the works, with two high-grade kegerator faucets and top-of-the-line temperature ranges we’ve seen.

“There are a number of good manufacturers on the market,” says Gibbens. “I personally have a Kegco. It’s been dependable, retains beer good and chilly, and had the options I needed.” 

The temperature vary on this Kegco is outstanding and contributes to creating it top-of-the-line kegerators on the market. It goes from 23°F to as excessive as 59°F. Plus, it could home a big selection of keg sizes, together with the Cornelius kegs generally utilized by homebrewers. 

What’s additionally cool about this explicit Kegco mannequin is that it has two Perlick 630SS keg faucets, which makes it a very nice kegerator for entertaining.

That being stated, it’s dear at virtually $2,300. As effectively, a number of patrons famous that they have been lacking directions for establishing completely different components of their kegerator. Moreover, many famous that the screws supplied for the deal with have been too brief, and there aren’t any hose clamps included.

Greatest Price range: EdgeStar Craft Brew Kegerator

Dimensions: 18.25” x 17.5” x 33.25” | Supplies: stainless-steel | Keg Capability: one-sixth barrel or Cornelius keg

Why we selected it: EdgeStar’s Craft Brew Kegerator is compact, simple to assemble, and simple in your pockets.

At just below $540, this kegerator delivers on high quality with out breaking the financial institution. Its compact dimension makes it simple to suit into any room or storage, and it’s fairly easy to assemble. Nonetheless, it could solely accommodate two kinds of kegs. 

For chilly beer lovers, this kegerator can get fairly chilly, going as little as 32°F. And although some patrons report that the temperature management can get caught at 37°, those that have examined it by placing a thermometer contained in the kegerator discovered it does nonetheless attain 32°F. 

As effectively, many Amazon patrons talked about receiving a unit that was dented, although to various levels of severity.

Greatest Splurge: Perlick Signature Collection Adara Beer Dispenser

Dimensions: 34 1/4” x 23 7/8” x 24” |  Supplies: stainless-steel and chrome | Keg Capability: two half barrel kegs or one quarter barrel

Why we selected it: A trusted industrial model, Perlick’s kegerators convey the expertise of a bar proper to your property.

“Perlick is the very best and confirmed,” Mauric says. “The Perlick Company has been in enterprise for over 100 years.” 

Famous for having their methods in bars, eating places, and stadiums, Perlick additionally creates high quality kegerators for the house. This twin faucet mannequin makes it nice for entertaining, and the smooth, design-forward Adara tower will make your kegerator much more of a speaking level. 

If you happen to love your beer good and chilly, this kegerator is nice. However if you wish to home hotter drafts, like a stout, this may not be as nice, for the reason that temperature vary on this mannequin goes from 33°F to 42°F. 

As effectively, that is by far the priciest kegerator on our listing, at simply over $6,200. 

Runner Up

Though not a kegerator, the NutriChef Pressurized Growler Faucet System is price a point out on this information, particularly if you wish to have draft beer with out investing the cash and area a kegerator requires. It’s transportable, weighing just below 6 kilos with a tank dimension of 128 ounces, and it suits effectively within the fridge, so you may have chilly draft beer able to go for as much as two months with out the beer going flat. Plus, it’s simple to place collectively and simple to scrub.

Issues to Contemplate Earlier than Shopping for a Kegerator

Dimension

This is a crucial one. First off, Julia Herz, govt director of the American Homebrewers Affiliation, notes, you’ll need to decide the place you need to put your kegerator, whether or not inside or exterior, and whether or not you need it to be built-in or stand alone. You’ll additionally need to contemplate the dimensions of your kegerator. “What number of kegs do you need to match? How massive are every of these kegs?” she asks.  

Before you purchase your kegerator, ensure you understand how a lot area you may allot to it, whether or not in your house, storage or yard.  

Keg Capability

“One of many options you need to take into consideration is, is it a normal sufficient kegerator that it suits your normal half barrel of beer?” Herz says. “That’s 15.5 U.S. gallons of beer. You even have the flexibility to have kegerators that serve smaller sizes. A number of breweries are additionally producing beer obtainable by means of kegs which might be perhaps 5 gallons.”

Herz additionally mentions that homebrewers are likely to keg in smaller sizes. So, it’s price contemplating if you would like a normal bar-sized keg in your kegerator (the half barrel), or if you wish to go for a smaller sized keg. 

Temperature Vary

As a result of the optimum temperature can range for several types of beer, you’ll need to ensure your kegerator has an excellent temperature vary, so you may change the temperature correctly as you progress by means of completely different styles of beer.

FAQs

How lengthy does a kegerator final?

“It has the potential to final for a few years if correct upkeep is completed on the mechanical aspect,” Mauric says. 

Talking of which, remember to swap in new draft strains periodically. “Your draft strains needs to be changed about each 5 years, [or] extra typically with very common use,” Gibbens says.

How typically do I would like to scrub my kegerator?

Fairly ceaselessly, our consultants say. “You need to clear your kegerator each 2 weeks,” Mauric says. “The chemical answer must be run by means of the beer line and tap.” 

​​For the very best beer expertise, Gibbens cleans her draft strains between each keg. “It’s a reasonably simple course of, and it’s price it to have the freshest beer,” she says. “In any other case, month-to-month is an efficient observe.”

What temperature ought to a kegerator be set at?

It varies. “If we take a look at restaurant kegerators and that allotting system, the industrial ones, most kegerator methods and beers are allotted at 38°F,” Herz says. “That’s largely designed for American lager, essentially the most bought beer style-wise through draft.” 

That being stated, Gibbens says she retains hers between 35° and 36°F, and Mauric retains his between 35° and 38°F. Finally, it comes right down to the form of beer you propose to maintain on faucet. For American lagers, you’ll need to be in that cooler vary. For IPAs, you’ll need to set your kegerator to no less than 38°F, however it could even go up a bit from there. For stouts, you may go as excessive as 50°F. So, do your analysis and decide what temperature is greatest for the beer you propose to maintain in your keg.

Equipment to Contemplate Buying With Your Kegerator

Barworks Beer Drip Tray

Whereas many kegerators include a drip tray, it is a nice choice if you wish to stage up yours. Some kegerators include a plastic drip tray, however this one is stainless-steel, which can make your kegerator look extra luxe. Plus, it suits two beer glasses, so it’s nice for twin faucet fashions, and it’s additionally simple to scrub. 

Find out how to Brew: Every part You Have to Know to Brew Nice Beer Each Time

Really useful by Herz, this guide is nice for brand spanking new and skilled homebrewers alike. “It lays out the whole lot you want,” she says, from tools to methods to recipes. Contemplate this your information to all issues homebrewing.

Closing Ideas

In relation to figuring out the very best kegerator for you, contemplate how a lot area and cash you’re keen to spend money on it. These will be fairly massive and fairly dear, so should you’re in search of an incredible kegerator interval, the Kegco one can be a unbelievable new addition to your property or yard setup. However should you’re in search of one that’s reasonably priced and comparatively compact, the EdgeStar one suits the invoice. 

Methodology 

We spoke to 3 consultants concerning the ins and outs of proudly owning a kegerator. They walked us by means of which options to look out for, greatest temperatures to set your kegerator at, and care to your kegerator. With that in thoughts, we performed impartial analysis and located the very best kegerators for the completely different classes listed above.