Introduction

You’ve either got one or know somebody who has. The humble man-cave where the boys like to gather to watch sport and chew-the-fat. And for those of us that own our man-cave, we don’t like to be outdone. It’s a constant challenge to keep updating and fitting out our greatest asset and therefore we’ve decided to review the best beer keg fridges for this year.

Having a large full size built-in bar is one thing but if you don’t have the funds for this, then a beer keg fridge is a piece of bar furniture that will really impress the boys! After all, grabbing a beer from your beer fridge is nice but having a lovely brew, even a home brew, poured into an icy cold glass from a beer tap just takes the experience to the next level.

You may think that kegs are just for commercial bars and hotels, well they are. But more people are creating their own craft beers and want it stored in a keg, so they can access it by tap. You can find empty kegs on selling sites such as Ebay or Amazon.

Fill the keg with your homebrew using your CO2 tank to pressurize it. Alternatively, you can take the keg to a brewery (smaller brewers are more accommodating) and purchase beer from them and they will fill it for you. Now you’re ready to fit the keg to your beer keg refrigerator.

Beer Keg Fridges Buying Guide

There’s a bit to think about when purchasing a new beer keg fridge, the most important being size. So, let’s get straight into things and check out what you should be looking out for.

Single or Multi Keg Unit

Single:

If you only have a small area such as an apartment or man-cave that is not as big as you’d like, then a single kegerator is probably going to suite you better. The great thing about these smaller coolers is that they are much more maneuverable, so you can take them outside quite easily on a sunny day.

The downside is that they will not hold as much beer, boo! To be honest though, you’ll still get approximately 15½ gallons of beer which equates to about 165 12oz servings of your amber fluid. The other problems associated with the single keg units are that due to the lower capacity, they may not be able to be built into a countertop as many are made solely for freestanding purposes.

You may also have the issue of your CO2 tank not fitting into the unit, therefore it will have to be placed conveniently beside the unit. This all depends on the model and size of your single keg fridge.

Multiple:

You’re going to expect a larger expense if you buy a multi keg unit, but it’ll certainly be worth the money. You’d better make sure that you have the space available for one of these, but you do have options. You see they come in various sizes that hold from 2-5 kegs. Here’s a table showing how many servings each keg will hold.

2 kegs hold (330 servings) 12 oz.
3 kegs hold (495 servings) 12 oz.
4 kegs hold (660 servings) 12 oz.
5 kegs hold (825 servings) 12 oz.

Multi-purpose:

Doubling up as a beer bottle fridge, multi-purpose units give more versatility. They can come with a glass door which displays your beer inside. A very nice option if you can find one with great ratings. We’ve always struggled with this.

Unit Color

Not that there’s many colors to choose from but many kegerators come in either black or silver. Decide before you buy so that you’re comfortable in the knowledge that when your unit arrives, it will fit with your surroundings.

Maneuverability

Caterers love the single unit keg fridges as they can maneuver them with ease. This can help you out also as you may choose to have outside parties. If this is the case, then a kegerator on castors can be an ideal solution. There’s not many multi keg units with castors so a single maybe your only option here.

Outdoor Use

Some kegerators are approved for outdoor use and therefore have a wet-rated approval assurance. Most people love the outdoors and if you socialize outside a lot and think this would be your preferred cooler, then make sure you’re buying with the wet-rating approval. You may pay a little extra for an external use unit, but this is not something that you purchase every year. Get it right, and it will last years.

So, think about your own circumstances and the space you have available. It’s common to have an alfresco area in your backyard which could accommodate a multiple kegerator unit. These areas can be partially enclosed and if hidden from the elements, a multi-purpose keg fridge could be ideal.

Below is out list of the best beer keg fridges that we’ve found for this year.

In our view this is the greatest confined space kegerator currently available as it’s so versatile and has huge storage for its size. In fact, it’s got enough room for three ball lock home-brew kegs and comes with a CO2 tank with a red corrosion-resistant coating that also fits inside the unit. You will appreciate that you can be using 2 tapped kegs and have a third being cooled at the same time.

It also comes with a complete keg tapping kit so all you need to do is supply the kegs and have the CO2 bottle filled. You’ll benefit from the upgraded dual faucet stainless steel draft tower that fits in with the sleek design of the keg fridge. A premium dual gauge regulator is also part of this unit that will help you with keeping the correct pressure from the CO2 tank to your brew lines.

You’ll love the sleek style which encompasses a silver door surrounded by a lovely black cabinet with a textured top surface with guard rail lines. This will prevent you from knocking drinks over the edge. Beneath the tapped faucet you’ll find a dishwasher safe drip tray that will collect all your spillage and help with cleaning. They’ve thought of everything with this awesome unit.

It’s also easy to maneuver because it comes on casters. This will allow you to roll it from room to room with ease and convenience.

To keep the kegs cooled between 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6d C) to 42 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5d C), you’ll require a great thermostatic temperature control and that’s exactly what’s provided. At the back of the unit you’ll find the easily adjustable mechanical temperature control. You’ll also save cash each month due to the energy efficient design which the manufacturer claims is 25% more efficient.

You’re also safe in the knowledge that this keg fridge is listed with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) who are a certification tester of electrical, mechanical and plumbing products.

Great features include:

• Room for three ball lock home-brew kegs
• Dual faucet stainless steel draft tower
• Dishwasher safe drip tray
• CSA listed
• Adjustable mechanical temperature control

There’s nothing like showing off your latest home brew and what better way to show if off than serving it via a beer tap. This will really impress your mates.

Note: If you intend to connect a commercial keg you will need a keg coupler that can be purchased separately.

Customers have been impressed with the customer service and the installation instructions. Four out of the five sales have rated it 5-stars.

Click on the ‘Check it Out’ button to see the reviews, Q & A’s and full specifications.

Before you think that this beer keg fridge only comes with one tap, there is a twin version at a slightly higher cost. There’s a link at further down the article.

With a choice of two colors of either Black or Stainless Steel, you’ll really like this kegerator that comes with everything required short of your own full keg/kegs. How many kegs you can fit in this fridge depends on the size of your kegs. You could fit a full ½ barrel keg which serves 124 pints. Alternatively, 2 ⅙ barrel kegs which hold 42 pints each will also fit.

You’ll receive all the components required to get up and running in no time. Here’s a list of what’s included.

• Chrome Plated Brass Faucet
• Column Draft Tower in Stainless-Steel
• Single Gauge Regulator
• Domestic “D” System Sankey Coupler
• 5 ft. of 3/16 in. I.D. NSF Approved Beer Line
• 5 ft. of 5/16 in. I.D. Vinyl Air Line
• 5 lb. Aluminum CO2 tank (Empty)
• Spanner Faucet Wrench
• Black Tap Handle
• Drip Tray

Note: This unit comes with a single faucet. Here’s a link to the twin faucet unit.

On top of all the main components, the unit has a guard rail to help prevent items from falling off the top. Most kegerators do come with this and they are a simple but great idea. It also comprises a drip tray to clean up all spillage.

You’re CO2 bottle is cleverly mounted externally on the back of the unit allowing more interior room for your beer keg.

With this kegerator, you can keep very low temperatures, down to the low 30’s Fahrenheit.

Great features include:

• Guard rail
• External CO2 mounting
• Reversible door
• Castors
• Protective metal floor plate

A real benefit of this model is the reversible door, great for confined spaces when the door can only be opened one way.

There’s been a huge response with over 200 customer reviews, the majority giving 5 stars. As with anything that sells this well, there will be come complaints. Here’s a few things you should know.

When checking the external dimensions, add another 5 inches as they seem to have forgotten about the mounted CO2 tank.

Also, some customers have suggested a wider beer line may be required to get a better pour. If you’re going to do this, you will also need a draft arm wrench to change it.

Heaps of sales, so go ahead and check out the reviews and Q & A’s.

Made by the same company as the previous kegerator, this is the more upmarket model and also comes as a twin faucet unit. What we like about this keg fridge is the digital display on the front which sets it apart from the others. You’ll love the easy-to read controls panel which allows for easy adjustment of your internal temperature. This will keep all your lagers icy cold, just as you’d expect.

Set your temperature range anywhere between 32dF – 50dF to keep a great chilled climate inside. There’s also a deep chill mode for cooling down a keg quickly, very handy when you change kegs. Simply press the ‘Deep Chill’ button for the units’ compressor to ramp up, then press again to get back to your regular cool temp. This is a nice touch!

You’ll also like the versatility of this keg fridge with the addition of 2 wire shelves so you can convert it to a regular beer fridge when you run out of homebrew.

Again, you’ll have the option of Black or Stainless-Steel colors. The components listed on the above model are the same except for the extra’s we’ve mentioned. In saying that, some of the components are slightly different in shape, such as the drip tray which marginally wraps around the column draft tower.

If you use kegs that are oversize, then you may benefit from this model also as it’s slightly larger to accommodate larger kegs.

Great features include:

• Deep chill mode
• Digital display
• Shelves for refrigerator use
• Accommodates oversize keg
• Includes castors

Note: the manufacturer suggests that this is a free-standing unit and is not recommended for built in use. I suggest this is because the CO2 bottle is mounted on the back of the unit.

It has also been noted that depending on where you place the kegerator, you may have varying internal temperatures. This is usually the case though and recommendations are to not place it in a warm location.

With a 4.3 star rating out of 5, there has been a few customers with issue’s but many of them are personal preference issues. Others have had concerns about foaming which is commonly a pressure issue which can be rectified.

For the first time we’re showing you a 3 faucet kegerator which is fairly unusual and is made by the same guys that manufactured our first keg fridge. It only just sits in this $1k+ category and judging by the reviews, won’t be slipping in price any time soon.

You’ll love the storing space that will accommodate three, 5-gallon ball lock Cornelius kegs and can dispense all three at once as all the equipment is supplied. And as you’d expect, it comes with all the other necessary components to have you pouring beer in no time.

It looks amazing with the stylish black Matt finish and chrome guardrail which stops glasses and other utensils from sliding off the top. You get a removable built-in drip tray that makes cleaning very easy and is fitted with casters for easy maneuverability.

However, one of the better features is the fan forced cooling which allows the unit to cool down to 32dF for icy cold beer. After all, this is the main purpose of a kegerator. You will be able to change the temperature setting at the push of a button via the digital control panel. Cooling is evenly distributed throughout the unit, helped by the fan.

The interior of the fridge is large enough to store any full-size keg and will even accommodate rubber kegs. The CO2 bottle is also stored inside the fridge which gives you the option to have the kegerator built-in to cabinetry.

Great features include:

• Fan forced cooling
• Accommodates large kegs
• Built-in drip tray
• 3 Faucet

Given top appraisal from eight customers with a 5-star rating, we struggled to find fault with this unit. Delivery and instructions even come up trumps. Great buy.

Well now, if you have the room why not splash out on this 3-door, 72 inch keg fridge that will fill a large expanse. Perfect for a country bar man-cave with more room than you know what to do with, you will have your mates visiting every weekend! Is this a good thing? Depends who you’re asking I suppose!

Not necessarily for a country property, this will fit in many pool rooms adding a professional touch. In fact, many of this model have been setup outside. Although the manufacturer doesn’t recommend using it outside (to cover their rear end), as long as it’s under cover and protected from the elements, you shouldn’t have a problem.

You’ll have plenty of room, so you can use one door as a normal fridge, leaving the others as keg storage. Included in the package is 6 shelves which can be installed for full fridge use. In fact, you could fit over 1000 12oz cans of beer (or your preferred soft drink!) in this Kegerator.

Your temperature range is between 33dF – 41dF (0dC – 5dC) so keeping your kegs consistently cold is absolute.

This model comes with 2 singles faucet towers, but it is possible to have these converted to twin faucet. This all depends how many different beers you intend serving concurrently. Keg couplers and all other equipment is included, all that is required from you are the kegs, CO2 bottle and you thirsty mates!

Great features include:

• 3 door fridge
• 2 x Single faucet
• 8 shelving racks
• Very quiet

We’re not sure how many folks this unit will appeal to, due the size and cost (over 2k), but the unit is beautifully crafted and will please any purchaser, and their guests!

As of writing, there’s a 5-star rating and a number of Q & A’s that you may want to read before making a decision.

Unfortunately, the keg fridge doesn’t come with a CO2 tank, but this can easily be bought online or elsewhere.

Are you ready for your outdoor cooler option that will knock the socks off your ‘man-cave’ competitor up the road? We’ve found it, made for the outdoors and ready to be distributed to your house.

Hugely beneficial is the fact it can be built into cabinetry or used simply as a free-standing unit. Can you picture having an outdoor sports corner, your NFL or NHL team photo’s surrounding your magnificent outdoor keg fridge with Whiskey decanter sitting atop? Yeah, looks good doesn’t it?

You’ll be serving ice cold beer to your buddies from the fan forced refrigerator which is powerful enough to keep your desired temperature maintained consistently. The integrated thermostat will drop to as low as 32dF and can be monitored from the electric control panel with digital display on the inside of the door.

It’s large enough to fit one full size keg or 3 sixth barrel kegs. You can fit many other keg configurations inside, click on the image to check out these alternatives.

If you like stainless-steel then look out, this kegerator comes with an abundance of it. Stainless-steel door, floor, entire cabinet, drip tray and towel bar handle are all wrapped in the elite metal stuff! This is one nice unit!

Not to mention you can serve 3 mates at once with the triple faucet tap. So, Big Al like his Coopers, Robbo enjoys a Heineken and Pomster insists on his British brew. Awesome, they’re all tapped kegs, so you can please all three.

There’s also some other nice additions such as the safety lock and font air ventilation so there’s no problem having the unit built-in.

Great features include:

• Free-standing or Built-in
• Fan-forced cooling
• Varying keg configurations
• Triple faucet taps
• Safety lock

There’s also 4 castors included, very handy when it comes to moving into position. If you’re going to have this kegerator built into indoor or outdoor cabinetry, make sure you don’t take measurements with the castors on.

Another handy alternative is the option to reverse hang the door. If you mount the door flush with the cabinet, it will still open as expected.

Just one thing to note. This unit has been known to shut off if the area power goes out. Yes, this is quite normal, but it should come back on. One customer has found this not to be the case. You may want to ask the question before purchasing. All in all, though, a lovely keg fridge.

What’s better than coming home after a long day’s work, to pour your own freshly brewed beverage? Not much really is there?

You’ll find this kegerator to be a professional piece as it’s manufactured by SABA, who supply a full range of high quality restaurant and food service equipment. So, imagine having this in your own pool room or man-cave!

You will need to supply your own kegs and CO2 tank (the tank can be mounted internally or externally) but the tubes and tapping equipment are included.

Can you envisage having a party or large gathering of friends and being capable of offering up to four various tapped beers! You’ll be the envy of everyone.

The refrigeration system is compliant with environmental safety concerns as it uses R314a refrigerant which is CFC and HCFC-free.

Included is a LED light. A nice touch if you want to use part of your kegerator as a fridge for containing beer bottles or cans. It’ll light them up nicely.

With stainless-steel top and drip tray, it’s surrounded by an attractive wear resistant vinyl on steel black finish. The interior features stainless-steel walls, floor and ceiling. Yep, great quality inside and out.

Great features include:

• Accessible condenser coil for cleaning
• CFC and HCFC-free refrigeration
• Quality construction
• Stainless-steel top

All you need is a power connection which is 115/60/1 phase, 15 amp. The internal wining is connection ready.

From limited sales this has been given a 5-star review with the only problems occurring from the shipper. This is not unusual given the shipping companies often don’t have the same degree of care as the consumer or manufacturer.

Conclusion

As with everything you purchase of great value, it pays to do your due diligence. These are the best beer keg fridges that we’ve come across and will add great valve to any man-cave.

Decide on the space you have available, whether you will use it solely as a keg fridge or for can storage and also know if you’ll want it built into existing or future cabinetry. You may not want this done immediately but you may, possibly down the track.

Check for the location of your CO2 tank and if it’s mounted inside or out. How many tap faucets you’ll require and the size of the kegs you’ll be using.

I hope this has given you an idea of what is out there and have made the decision a little easier. Owning one of these beer keg fridges will only compliment your house, pool room or even your kitchen. Buy right and it will be a lasting asset for a long time to come.

As a tip for young players, if you’re new to brewing you may benefit from beer brewing software which can help out with ingredient calculations and keeping track of your recipes and inventory. In fact many experienced users use this software also.

If you’d like to share your favorite with us, please feel free to add to the discussion below.

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