King Kegs

A King Keg is a 5-gallon (23-litre) home brew pressure barrel that serves about 40 pints of draught beer straight from a tap, with no bottling. Choose a top-tap or bottom-tap barrel. The cap can take an S30 valve for CO2 cylinders or a pin valve for 8g CO2 bulbs. Spare caps and floats are here too.

Buying guide & FAQs

King Keg pressure barrels are the classic British home brew serving solution — a 5-gallon (23-litre) pressure barrel that lets you serve your home brew beer straight from the barrel with a tap, without bottling. Simply add a small amount of priming sugar to the King Keg, seal it, and condition for 1–2 weeks. The King Keg's pressure cap system builds gentle carbonation naturally as the beer conditions, giving you draught-style home brew beer at home.

King Kegs are ideal for ales, bitters, stouts and lagers brewed from kit. They're reusable, easy to clean, and far less work than bottling 40+ individual bottles. Browse spare parts, CO2 bulbs, and tap replacements below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a keg and a King Keg?

A King Keg is a specific brand of home brew pressure barrel — the most common type used by UK home brewers. Unlike a commercial beer keg, which needs external CO2 to dispense, a King Keg carbonates itself naturally through conditioning and dispenses under its own gentle pressure, with an optional CO2 bulb injector for extra fizz.

How much beer does a keg hold?

A standard King Keg holds 5 gallons — 23 litres, or around 40 pints.

Do I need CO2 for a King Keg?

No, not strictly. Priming sugar naturally carbonates the beer as it conditions. A CO2 injector system is a popular upgrade for extra fizz and to keep the last few pints as carbonated as the first, but it isn't required to get started.

How long does beer keep in a keg?

Once conditioned, beer in a sealed King Keg keeps well for several months if stored somewhere cool and dark.

Should I choose a top-tap or bottom-tap King Keg?

A bottom-tap barrel is simple and gravity-fed, which suits a traditional bitter. A top-tap barrel draws beer through a float near the surface, so it pours clearer beer above the sediment, but it relies on gas pressure to push the beer out.

What's the difference between an S30 valve and an 8g pin valve?

An S30 valve cap screws onto a refillable S30 CO2 cylinder, which holds plenty of gas for long-term serving. A pin valve cap takes small disposable 8g CO2 bulbs, which are cheap and convenient for topping up pressure occasionally.

What does a King Keg float do?

A float attaches to the internal pick-up tube so it draws beer from just below the surface rather than the bottom. That keeps sediment out of your glass.

How do I stop my King Keg losing pressure?

Check that the cap seal and O-ring are clean, seated and lightly lubricated, and that the cap is hand-tight. Worn caps and seals are the usual cause, and replacement caps are available here.