Keg storage

Kay, It would help if we knew where you lived. If you are in northern climates and have a secure garage, that would be good enough. I suggest you update your profile to show us what state you live in - no I don't mean drunkenness! Also, what's the beer?

And BTW, welcome aboard!

 

Pick up the keg the day before the party. If that doesn't work, maybe you can ask a local liquor or grocery store to store your keg for a few bucks.

 

A trash barrel filled with ice will do the job fine. Put a bit of ice in first, then put the keg on top of it, and then throw ice on top/surrounding it. That's what I'd do when we were pouring at beer festivals. Ice surrounding/under the keg is more important than ice on the top. Too much ice on top could induce foaming.

 

Will you be pouring from a CO2 system or a party pump? While getting your beer too cold is unlikely to be a problem, having it too warm will cause foaming, as will pushing with too many PSI of CO2. Just get it nicely chilled in a tub, and you should be fine.

 

I'm curious about this. Do you have more information on why foaming would occur? I believe it's possible but I cannot figure out how it would be.

 

As you know nothing about beer I'm not so sure you'll have the answer, but when you write that it's a 1/2 keg is that a standard 1/2 barrel keg, or is it a half of a "keg" which is actually a 1/4 keg? That makes a big difference in how you could store and chill it.

 

Hey Kay! Well done in Tucson. Hope your guest enjoy the Spotted considering they only sell their products in Wisconsin. Spotted will be a crowd pleaser. Easy drinking, almost a lite beer. Sure to satisfy most. Not to pry but did you road trip from Wisconsin with the half barrel?
Iced in trash can will work fine
Enjoy!
Welcome to BA.

 

Getting the keg deposit back could prove interesting...

 

Spotted cow is awesome.

Enjoy

 

If it's reasonably convenient for you to return that keg sooner or later, please do so. Breweries spend a lot of money for those things, and I've read that typically the deposit does not cover that cost.

 

If you can't get it back to the brewery i would imagine you could find a local home brewer who may be in the market.

 

A bit OT from the OP, but originally, at least "keg" (which by common non-brewing industry definition means a "small barrel" - think "keg of nails") was used ONLY for the ¼ barrel size. A "Half Barrel" was just that, the name for the 15.5 gallon container.

(MBAA's 1946 ed. THE PRACTICAL BREWER)

Of course, the correct terminology is long forgotten by most, even within the industry - take the other notable example in the above - the "Pony keg", a term people now commonly use for a quarter barrel keg.

 

Basic answers

You want to store the keg below 50F.

You want to serve the keg at 38F.

You are going to want to use a Jockey Box. This will allow for an acceptable pour at less than 38F. You can rent a Jockey Box. Be sure it has been cleaned.

A Party Pump (air) is a last resort. You really want a CO2 set up. The gas will come with the rental.

You will also want to have a drip tray, pan, bucket or even old towels available. Your friends will be spilling beer and the keg area will get messy.

become very lazy with your money and wont hesitate to just grab another pour.

Cheers.