Keg Rental Information

Planning Your Keg: Sizes, Storage and Serving Tips

Getting the most from a keg comes down to a little planning before pickup day. Draught beer is at its best when it stays cold, still and properly pressurized, so a few simple habits make a real difference to how the last pint tastes compared with the first.

Estimating how much beer you need

Common keg formats in Canada are measured in litres, and a quick way to plan is to think in servings. A standard pour is roughly 355 to 473 millilitres, so divide the keg volume by your glass size to get an approximate count. Expect some loss to foam, especially with the first few pours. For a long afternoon event, many hosts plan on about one to two drinks per guest for the first hour and one per hour after that. Ask our team which formats are currently on offer, and browse the current beer list to see which styles suit your crowd.

Keeping it cold

Beer should be kept cold from the moment you collect it. Bring a vehicle with space to keep the keg upright, and head straight home rather than running errands. If you don't have a kegerator, a large tub or garbage bin packed with ice works well. Top up the ice as it melts, and keep the keg out of direct sun.

Let it settle

A keg that has been jostled in a car will pour foamy. Give it time to rest and chill before tapping, ideally a couple of hours. Overly foamy pours usually mean the beer is too warm or the pressure is off, not that the beer is faulty.

Pouring well

• Open the tap fully in one smooth motion; half-open taps create foam.
• Hold the glass at an angle, then straighten it as it fills.
• Use clean glasses rinsed in cold water for better head retention.
• With a hand pump, pump only when the flow slows. Pumping in outside air means the beer will start to go flat within a day or so, so plan to finish it during your event.

Responsible hosting

Have water and food on hand, and help guests arrange safe rides home. Many of our food-truck partners cater private events, which makes it easy to pair good food with your keg. When the party is over, rinse the tap equipment and bring everything back together so the return goes quickly.