Used 1/2 Barrel Kegs

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by sts9fan, Sep 7, 2017.

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  1. sts9fan

    sts9fan Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    Anyone got a good online source? Anyone ever had luck calling a distributor? I'm looking for a few.
     
  2. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,611) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Contact a brewery and see if they have any decommissioned. Damage makes some kegs unfit for use.
     
    SFACRKnight likes this.
  3. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,023) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Distributors don't own the kegs, so they don't sell them. The brewery owns the keg and they don't have any interest in selling either. If you see one on for sale on craigslist rest assured it is not a legal sale. In rare instances a used keg becomes available because it has been abandoned at a bar or retail. But that is not typical, and you should get a note on letterhead stating the same. Otherwise you are buying stolen property. Ask at the bar where you have a good relationship and they may have an abandoned keg sitting around for some cash.

    Sabco is a supplier. Kegco too.

    If you don't have experience and the proper tools to take apart, clean and maintain a Sanke keg it is not a DIY job. Obtaining a spear removal tool will be much more difficult. It is not typically sold retail. Also, it's called a spear for a reason.

    Cheers.
     
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  4. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,122) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

  5. sts9fan

    sts9fan Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    But that's stealing!!!!!!!!!
    Even after all these years the net is predictable and ridiculous.
    A few kegs of BL it is!!
     
  6. sts9fan

    sts9fan Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    Every homebrew store sells sanke valve removal tools. Thanks for the spear warning. Should I not touch the pointy side of a knife?
     
    Hogue2112 likes this.
  7. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,023) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    There is no pointy side. Do you know why dismantling a keg can be dangerous?
    Nobody has ever been injured maintaining a sanke, least of all someone who has never actually maintained a keg. So best of luck.

    If your LHBS is selling keg maintenance tools, aren't they selling kegs too? Why are you asking?Sounds funny to me.
     
  8. Prep8611

    Prep8611 Savant (1,208) Aug 22, 2014 New Jersey

    To be fair.... to depressurize the keg you just need a flat head screw driver and I removed the spear containement ring with a pair of pliers. Took me 15 minutes total on my first try and I'm not an overly handy guy. I use it for fermenting and it was a decommissioned bud light keg. If OP wanted to top off he could take it to a metal working shop and have it taken off with a plasma cutter for not too much cost.
     
  9. Prep8611

    Prep8611 Savant (1,208) Aug 22, 2014 New Jersey

    Oh I also got sprayed in the face with 3-5 year old budlight that smelled like a mixture of horse shit and human urine. Always have the keg on its side and don't stand anywhere near it.
     
  10. Hogue2112

    Hogue2112 Initiate (0) Apr 7, 2016 Ohio

    Just be careful. You can purge with a flathead no problem and I have taken the top off of many with an angle grinder, although I don't suggest that unless you are confident in your use of that tool. Easily could end up being a bad day. Plasma cut job for a quick $20 would be a much better solution. Any of those fabrication shops along the road should do it for you.
     
    Prep8611 likes this.
  11. sts9fan

    sts9fan Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    Found a dude looking to get rid of two! Free99. What do you think 12 year old bud light smells like?
     
  12. sts9fan

    sts9fan Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    Spear of the D style keg came out super easy. The other was a S. That thing tried to break my spirt but I prevailed.
     
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  13. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (1,912) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    If you want to do it right, and not trash your keg or the retaining ring.
    The above mentioned Sabco spear removal, and also two spear knives is the best way to do it.
    Pro-tip. The more impatient you get with the knives getting under the retaining ring operates directly in proportion to your increasing the risk of injury, and stabbing yourself, or shearing your yourself in the spear remover.
    THose things are sharp, and you have a handful of angles that work really well that also happen to work really well for stabbing yourself.
    https://www.gwkent.com/keg-spear-re...tCMjWoad9Xq1hVZ1-EEZNDha6qLMOYqYaAgWNEALw_wcB
    GW kent has really nice spear removal tool, but it's $350. Unlike the one listed on Brewmagic, the one on GW Kent has rounded edges and won't eff your hands up.
     
  14. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,397) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    No different than renting a car from Hertz and just not returning it, I suppose. The only difference is Hertz didn't trust you enough to not ask for ID. Keeping a keg is stealing, plain and simple. The brewery was kind enough to let you borrow it and they trusted you to return it when you were done with it. Don't abuse that privilege.

    just my $.02
     
  15. BeerMaverick

    BeerMaverick Zealot (694) Dec 14, 2010 Connecticut

    You're in MA, so this may be possible - I have a 1/2 bbl Budweiser sanke keg that I'm looking to get rid of (originally acquired it to build a keggle out of, but ended up not using it). If you come pick it up it's yours for free. Message me if you want the address.
     
  16. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Exactly. For those who think it's okay, why settle for a keg? How about that awesome Blichmann kettle at the LHBS? Just go in there when there's nobody around and take it!
     
    SFACRKnight and mikehartigan like this.
  17. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (1,912) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I now have a small rectangle wound on my wrist that promises to become a scar from a spear knife incident. Getting under a sealing ring when it is older, and bent takes considerable effort, and this was the one that rewarded me with a puncture.
     
  18. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,176) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Careful, or Blichmann will start booby trapping those display models. That guy will come up with something ingenious, too. It will make that spear look like Stone Age weaponry.
     
  19. sts9fan

    sts9fan Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2015 Massachusetts

    You guys are very dramatic ...
    Results

    Both got 3 hours on my diy keg washer with warm PBW. Both are crystal clean and no sign of 12 year old beer.
    I had no need to keep them intact. They have a new job. A few screwdrivers are all that was needed.
     
  20. Prep8611

    Prep8611 Savant (1,208) Aug 22, 2014 New Jersey

    How much did you pay for that fermentation set up? Care to share the link?
     
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