It's Time for a Keg Party

Published On: Thursday, April 10, 2008

You probably don’t need many directions on how to throw a keg party. Let’s be honest, a party of this kind is pretty informal. We all remember those drunken nights in high school spent over at a friend of a friend of a friend’s house. The parents were out of town, the music blared, and you refilled your cup at regular intervals. While you may be too old now for a party like that, you’re never too old to have a good time. Why not throw a re-invented type of kegger? You might even be able to add a touch of class and sophistication to this otherwise free for all.

Let’s start with the beer. Now that you are older and more established, you don’t have to pool your money with friends and go for the cheapest stuff available. You can go for something top of the line, perhaps imported. In Texas, state brewed beers abound, so you can even try some local flavor. We recommend Shiner Bock and Live Oak. The size of the keg you purchase should depend on the amount of guests you are expecting. For a three hour party, the average guest will consume four beers. A quick conversion to remember is that eighty four twelve ounce beers is equivalent to one eight gallon keg.  With that said, if you aren’t on much of a budget, you could purchase two to three smaller kegs and turn your kegger into a beer sampling party. A good tip would be to ask your seller of some good quality but little known lagers and ales.

Now that you have your refreshments, make sure you have plenty of utensils on hand. It is always better to have too many cups than too few. A few other tips to keep in mind: remember your keg etiquette. Have your beer completely still for at least one hour prior to your party. During this time, and for longer if you can manage, have the keg iced down. No one appreciates a warm beer. Do not over pump your keg when serving. Although it is sometimes hard to resist temptation, remember one pump equals one beer. Also, remember to secure your tap and keg when the party is over. It’s always nice to get your deposit back.

A party like this is sure to be very laid back, so make sure your guests are comfortable and entertained. Of course, remember to have fun in moderation and always designate a driver.

For additional information on kegerators or draft beer topics please visit our kegerator article center.