You finally have a kegerator, but you’re not sure how to use it, what type of beer to buy, or even what temperature to keep the kegerator at. Having your own kegerator can ultimately save you some serious cash, if you know how to use it. Most beer enthusiasts are usually concerned with the crispness, and the taste of their beer. If you yourself are a beer enthusiast, then you probably already know that the freshness of the beer begins to lessen as soon as the keg is packed at the manufacturing plant. Over time, beer loses its fresh taste, slowly. A can or bottle of beer should be consumed as soon as possible in order to enjoy the rich, full flavor. But how long is a keg good in a kegerator?
This can ultimately depend on a variety of factors.
So, let’s find out.
How Your Beer is Dispensed
The rich full, crisp taste of beer is everything. Beer at the right temperature, when it’s ice cold can be the perfect thing after a long day of working in the yard or after work on a Friday night. But if you’re constantly struggling with the quality, temperature, and even dealing with flat beer after you cracked the keg only a week ago, something is seriously wrong.
Keeping your beer tasting fresh isn’t exactly rocket science, and with the right kegerator, there’s no reason you can’t keep your keg lasting for several weeks or more.
But as we mentioned, there are many factors that can come into play that can have an effect on how long your keg will keep that fresh crisp taste.
The way a beer is dispensed can have a major impact on its freshness. Beer is typically dispensed using the CO2 kegerator method or the manual keg pump method.
The manual pump is located on top of a keg. It’s also known as a party pump or bronco pump. This type of pump will force air into the keg in order to pressurize it.
The manual pump does come with its own disadvantages. For instance, this pump is notorious for dispensing beer with too much foam, due to over-pumping. This style of pump can also decrease the keg’s shelf life by half since oxygen is used to pressurize the keg. Oxygen is actually very bad for beer, often resulting in a faster change in flavor and causing it to go stale at a pretty rapid rate.
Generally speaking, the flavor of beer that’s dispensed using this method typically only lasts for six to eight hours. Yet, it can still heavily depend on the amount of oxygen pumped inside and the type of beer.
So, how long does a beer last in a kegerator with CO2? When kept in a kegerator, a keg can remain fresh for an extended period of time. Much more so than when using a manual pump. But why?
This is because the keg remains pressurized, thus preventing oxidation. When housed in a kegerator, the keg can last several months.
However, the exact length can also depend on the type of beer.
Pasteurized beer can typically last two to three months. If stored at the appropriate temperature it can last up to six months.
Beer that’s not pasteurized will not remain fresh for very long, even if it’s properly maintained at the correct temperature. With this type of beer, you can usually expect it to last eight or nine weeks.
The Right Temperature
So, what’s the correct temperature? This is based on the type of beer. The recommended temperature for chilled draft beer usually lies in the thirty to forty-degree range. Keep in mind that beer can freeze at twenty-seven degrees. Light beer can freeze at just thirty-one degrees.
The temperature can also be based on whether you’re dealing with imported or local brew. On the other hand, whether or not the beer is pasteurized can also be a factor.
Beer that’s kept between temperatures ranging from thirty to forty degrees is still capable of maintaining carbonation.
In hot weather conditions, you’ll need to modify the temp setting. In order to monitor the liquid temperature of draft beer, you can use a standard beer thermometer. The thermometer will provide an exact reading.
Indoor and Outdoor Kegerators
If you want to throw a party in the backyard, also use a kegerator that’s designed for outdoor use. If you use a model that’s only designed for indoor use outside, then you can end up putting too much strain on the compressor. It can also shorten the lifespan of the kegerator.
Most models of indoor kegerators work the best at room temperature settings. In temperatures higher than eighty degrees or under fifty degrees you should use a model designed for outdoor use.
Quality
As with most things in life, quality matters when it comes to beer freshness and getting the most out of each keg. Using the right type of kegerator really matters. You’ll need one that allows you to regulate the temperature precisely, such as the Keggermeister KM2800SS Kegerator, which has a reputation for both power and efficiency.
If you’d like to learn more about kegerators and get an in-depth look at the leading models on the market, click here to read our buyer’s guide.
If you’ve forked over your hard-earned cash for a new kegerator, make sure you carefully read the user’s manual before you tap your first keg. You should also read up on required temperatures based on the type of beer you plan on buying.
As you can see, due to the large variety of storage options and the different types of beer available, how long is a keg good in a kegerator is difficult to answer. Some pros say as little as three weeks while others say as long as four months. With a little tweaking and precise temperature settings, there’s no reason you can’t get the most out of your keg and save some serious cash in the long run.