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Beer kegs have turned out to be one of the best options for selling beer for home use, since they are convenient, practical and affordable.
To celebrate, to share, to spend the day alone or with company, never run out of beer again. This is the place you are looking for.
Why Buy a Beer Keg?
Are you planning a big party? Do you want to enjoy a barbecue or a day at the pool with your friends or family?
One of the keys to success will no doubt be having enough supply of fresh, cold beer.
Beer kegs come with their own built-in dispenser, which lets you take them anywhere, whether in your backpack or on the car seat with no trouble (don’t forget to buckle it in).
Heineken was one of the pioneers of the format in draft beer, and after them many beer brands added kegs to their portfolio.
From 1 and 2 liters up to 5 and 8 liters, they have been continuously improved to make them easier to use and better at keeping and chilling beer as well as possible.
Today there are four home formats, each tied to its own tap machine, plus the 5-liter keg with a built-in tap that needs no machine.
Which Keg Should You Choose for Your Needs?
The first decision is not the beer brand but the system, because each keg only works in its own tap. The 2-liter TORP goes in The SUB, the 6-liter PerfectDraft in the PerfectDraft machine and the 8-liter KEG in the Heineken BLADE.
For someone who drinks one or two beers a day, The SUB is the most practical, because an opened keg keeps for 15 days chilled. For gatherings of 6 to 8 people the PerfectDraft or the 5-liter keg is the better fit, and the BLADE is designed for people who pour a lot of Heineken and want bar-level pressure and temperature.
These are the reference figures, with the approximate prices published by buying guides and manufacturers in 2026.
| System | Keg | Temperature | Days once opened | Approximate price 2026 |
| The SUB (Krups and Heineken) | 2-liter TORP | 2 °C | 15 days | €40 to €100 for the machine |
| PerfectDraft (Philips and AB InBev) | 6 liters | 3 °C | 30 days | €250 to €300 for the machine |
| BLADE (Heineken) | 8-liter KEG | 2 °C | 30 days | about €525 for the machine |
| BeerTender (Krups) | 5 liters | 2 to 4 °C | 30 days | €180 to €220 for the machine |
| 5-liter keg with tap | 5 liters | your fridge’s | 3 to 5 days | €15 to €30 per keg |
Krups Heineken 2-Liter Beer Kegs
These are 2-liter kegs designed specifically for use with THE SUB tap. Small and efficient, they keep beer cold, pressurized and fresh for up to 15 days. Ideal for parties.
The TORP lineup includes Heineken, Cruzcampo, Amstel, Desperados, Affligem, Birra Moretti, Lagunitas and local brands depending on the country. The keg goes in the fridge before you insert it, and the machine keeps it at 2 °C.
PerfectDraft Kegs
PerfectDraft is an integrated beer dispensing system created by the Dutch company Philips and the global brewing giant AB InBev to provide a professional, standard beer dispensing system.
It is ideal for get-togethers at home, parties, barbecues and pretty much any gathering, just as if you were standing at a bar.
To that end, they designed a portable 6-liter PerfectDraft keg available for practically every brand linked to InBev, such as Leffe, Stella Artois, Franziskaner, Bitburger, Paulaner, Beck’s and Jupiler.
They can be connected directly to a beer tap, which keeps the beer perfectly preserved at 3 °C, properly pressurized, for up to 30 days.
Disposable 5-Liter Beer Kegs
Ideal for any occasion, they can be used on their own or with a compatible tap.
These are the kegs sold by supermarkets and beer stores, from brands such as Heineken, Paulaner, Warsteiner, Krombacher, Bitburger or Mahou. They have a built-in tap and an air valve, so all you need to do is chill them in the fridge for at least 12 hours and open them.
Since they have no pressurized gas, once opened they are best finished within 3 to 5 days, always kept cold. If you want pressure and bar-style pouring with this format, the Krups BeerTender and some universal 5-liter dispensers accept them with a CO2 cartridge.
How to Look After Keg Beer at Home
A freshly bought keg needs 12 to 24 hours in the cold before serving, and it is best to avoid frozen glasses, which kill the head.
If space is a problem, a small fridge dedicated to kegs keeps the temperature stable and frees up the kitchen fridge. And before buying a machine, it is worth reading whether home beer dispensers are worth it for how much you actually drink.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How long does an opened beer keg last?
It depends on the system. A 2-liter TORP in The SUB keeps for 15 days chilled, and a 6-liter PerfectDraft or an 8-liter KEG in the BLADE for up to 30 days, because the machine maintains pressure and temperature. A 5-liter keg with a tap, which has no pressure, is best finished within 3 to 5 days.
2. Which keg works with each tap?
Each system uses its own format. The SUB only takes 2-liter TORP kegs, the PerfectDraft machine only 6-liter PerfectDraft kegs and the Heineken BLADE only 8-liter KEGs. The 5-liter kegs with a tap work on their own or in universal dispensers such as the BeerTender.
3. How much does a home beer keg cost?
A 5-liter keg with a tap costs between 15 and 30 euros at the supermarket. System kegs cost a bit more per liter, and the machine is sold separately, from about 40 euros for The SUB up to about 525 euros for the BLADE, according to 2026 buying guides.
4. How many beers do you get from a 5-liter keg?
About 15 glasses of 330 ml or 10 half-liter pints. A 2-liter TORP gives 6 glasses and an 8-liter BLADE KEG gives 24.
5. Can you refill a 2-liter or 5-liter keg?
No. TORP, PerfectDraft and KEG units are single-use containers that are recycled as plastic or aluminum, and 5-liter kegs with a tap are not designed to be refilled either. To refill at home you need stainless steel Cornelius-type kegs with their own CO2 setup.
