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It’s not quite a fridge, and not quite a keg: a kegerator is basically a re-designed refrigerator for keeping a keg cool inside, while dispensing beer out of the top tower through a faucet tap. When you store a keg or mini-keg in a refrigerated environment, and use CO2 pressure to serve from it, the contents are kept fresh and carbonated for longer – often even a couple months. For those who want the convenience and consistency of their fave brew on tap at home, a kegerator may be just what you need.
Regular refrigerators generally don’t have the space to fit kegs, nor do they have the built-in dispensing system (though there is a kegerator conversion kit available). And depending on how much, and what brand, of beer you consume, a kegerator can actually end up saving you money in the long run. It’s also great for those experimenting with home-based brewing, either for the first time or if you’re a master cicerone.
While beer is generally the go-to beverage when people think of a kegerator, they’ve recently become relevant for dispensing things like cold brew coffee, wine and kombucha too. However you may need some different types of taps though depending on the drink. Wine and cold brewed coffee use a CO2/Nitrogen blend to pressurize the kegs, so an all-stainless steel dispensing system is best, since the higher acid contents can often corrode the chrome-plated brass that comes standard. For wine, a silicone “wine-line” is recommended in place of the PVC vinyl beer line. Even for a few types of beers, a slightly different setup is required from what comes factory standard. A brew such as Guinness, requires a nitrogen tank or CO2/nitrogen adapter, as well as a nitrogen regulator. A different type of faucet, known as a stout faucet, is also a must for some brews, due to its small restrictor disc inside, which creates the creamy, rich head that nitrogen beers are so known for.
A good kegerator will keep your beer cool, and can chill down fast without crossing the line into freezing the keg. Most, if not all, units come with the CO2 tank included, as well as a decoupler to crack open the keg and start enjoying the contents. Some even let you tap two or three kegs within the same unit. The key to finding the right kegerator for you is adjusting to what your needs will be. Whether you’re throwing frequent parties, or trying out brewing as a new hobby, these options will keep your beverage cool and on tap all-day.
