Most liquor stores or breweries charge a "shell deposit" (usually $30–$100). You get this back when you return the empty stainless steel keg.

Whether you are planning a massive blowout or just want the satisfaction of having draught beer on tap at home, buying a "barrel"—technically known as a —is a rite of passage in party planning. 1. Know Your Sizes

A large plastic trash can filled with a 3:1 ratio of ice and water is the gold standard for keeping a keg chilled.

A warm keg is a foamy keg. You need a way to keep it ice-cold from the moment you pick it up.