FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not here, please contact us here.
KEGS
How much does a keg cost?
We buy direct from breweries, distributors and importers. Our prices reflect the relationships we have in each case. Equipment rental is NOT included in the prices listed for each keg.
What kegs are in stock today?
We love good beer, and our job is to bring it to you in the best condition. Our kegs are bought to order, this ensures freshness.
For orders of non-stock items, we require payment in advance.
Our most popular kegs are always held in stock. We very rarely run out. the ones we really like are kept in our cold store - (20 Litres only!). Remind us to put larger kegs on pre-chill at check-out if this is something you require.
Our fast-moving kegs (e.g. Guinness and Heineken) are replenished twice a week. This ensures that the best before dates listed are the freshest possible. Check our Guinness dates now!!
Search for any keg on our site, as long as it’s available on draught in Ireland, we can source it.
Can you just set that keg aside for me and I’ll pay you when I’m down there?
For orders of non-stock items, we require payment in advance. We should never run short on stock kegs if you just drop down and see what we have here!
When do I need to order by?
Online orders must be completed by noon on Wednesday to guarantee delivery and collection in the same week.
Late orders are possible. However, we advise you to call us on 00353 14401962 to confirm availability.
Do you deliver?
We can deliver all over. Or, you can collect from us here.
For normal domestic deliveries the fee is €40 within 20km of our depot.
All deliveries more than 20km from our Dublin 12 depot, are charged at €0.90 per kilometre traveled (€0.69 Excluding VAT).
Shipping costs will be calculated once you have provided your eircode/address at checkout.
The rate is a calculation of the Google Maps distance by the number of outbound and inbound journeys. This is below the industry average. Please note that as we are Dublin-based, delivery to other counties can be quite expensive, but collection from our depot is free of charge.
What keg products are available to rent?
We can supply any kegged product that is available in Ireland. If your favourite is not listed. Please contact us to find out why.
Can you buy kegs without renting taps?
Yes.
Can you rent equipment without buying kegs?
Yes.
If you have sourced your kegs from another supplier. We do request that the kegs be on-site prior to our delivery and setup to ensure we bring the correct fittings and that everything is working perfectly before we leave. Additionally, please let us know the size and quantity of the kegs, as well as the types of beer you plan to serve.
How many kegs will I need?
Top 4 factors when considering the number of kegs required:
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The number of guests expected - this is a pretty obvious determinant, but are you expecting a very definite number or have you left the invites open ended.
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The drinking habits of your guests. Are they big beer guzzlers, or are a lot of them likely to be drinking wine or soft drinks?
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Is it a BYOB (bring your own booze) party. You might be doing the decent thing of having a keg for those who forgot to bring their own.
Or, are you providing all beverages for the duration the night? -
The start and planned end time of the party. If you plan to go all night you will require a lot more beer than if you are just having a pre-pub bash or drinks party.
Is one cylinder of gas sufficient for two kegs?
We will always provide enough gas for the amount of beer supplied. If you are sourcing your own kegs, we need to know what products they are and how many. in total.
Equipment rental only allows for up to 2 kegs. This means a 2l gas cylinder will be supplied. If you have more than 2 kegs supplied from elsewhere, please let us know. You will have to upgrade to a larger volume cylinder.
If you're using your own equipment…
Be sure to check that you have enough gas to pour your pints before ordering kegs from us!! Remember we only take Star Gas cylinders.
How long does a keg last?
Generally speaking, kegs last around 2-3 weeks from the point of being tapped.
Our stock kegs (e.g Guinness and Heineken) are replenished every 7 days. This ensures that the best before dates listed are the freshest possible.
What about the Best Before Date listed on the keg? Do you have any better dates?
We update the best before dates on the keg pages as soon as a new keg arrives into the building. For Guinness and Heineken products, date changes take place at least once a week.
Don’t be concerned if a keg has a short date on it. In reality, they are a reflection of credit control by the breweries. We estimate that kegs retain freshness several months beyond their BBD. However, as soon as a keg is tapped, it should be consumed within 3 week.
Can I buy a 2nd keg for the weekend and return it if we don’t drink it? If I get a spare keg, is there a return policy!
We advise our customers to always plan for the best!..
… and yes, both keg and rental customers can avail of this service. See outlined below:
Untapped kegs can be refunded after your event, subject to a €30 restocking fee per keg. This allows you the flexibility to order the quantities you need without worrying about waste, while ensuring that we can restock and manage our inventory efficiently.
A second/third stand-by / spare keg can be provided at a charge of €30 per untapped returned keg. If these kegs are tapped, the balance amount is due.
Our returns policy on untapped beer is 5 working days.
If the keg is returned within 5 working days or the original order, we will refund the price of the keg excl. €30 restocking fee.
Do we need two taps for two kegs? If not, is it easy to change the keg once the first has run out?
As long as you are sticking with one product/beer, you don’t need two taps for two kegs. Changing a keg is very straightforward. Whether you plan on collecting in-store or having us deliver out to you, one of our technicians will provide a full walkthrough as to how to tap/untap kegs.
When do the keg and tap deliveries take place?
We generally deliver on Thursdays and Fridays. We collect the equipment on Mondays normally. We are very happy to deliver earlier in the week if that suits your event.
Saturday deliveries and evenings can be organised, but additional rates may apply.
How many pints in a keg?
Depends on the size of the keg. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keg
How many pints in a 20l keg?
A 20l keg contains 35.21 pint servings of 568ml. (42.27 US pints)
How many pints in a 30l keg?
A 30l keg contains 52.82 pint servings of 568ml. (63.40 US pints)
How many pints in a 50l keg?
A 50l keg contains 88.03 pint servings of 568ml. (105.67 US pints)
What does ABV mean?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_by_volume
"Alcohol by volume (abbreviated as ABV, abv, or alc/vol) is a standard measure of how much alcohol (ethanol) is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage (expressed as a volume percent).It is defined as the number of millilitres of pure ethanol present in 100 millilitres of solution at 20°C. The number of millilitres of pure ethanol is the mass of the ethanol divided by its density at 20°C, which is 0.78924 g/ml. The ABV standard is used worldwide. The International Organization of Legal Metrology has tables of density of water–ethanol mixtures at different concentrations and temperatures."
What size are the kegs?
The dimesnions below cover 90% of steel kegs in Ireland, however, some products kegged abroad may be slightly different in shape despite the volume being the same!
20L - Diamater Ø 236mm Height 568mm
30L - Diameter Ø 394mm Height 370mm
50L - Diameter Ø 394mm Height 532mm
I am not happy with the quality of the kegged product I bought. Do you take back kegs?
Our quality control returns policy is 5 working days. We ask customers to flag any issues as soon as possible after purchasing a keg from us - so we have a chance to help! Once 5 days have elapsed from the point of purchase, we do not accept returns on beer.
In rare circumstances, kegs can be faulty. The most likely culprit is a cracked spear! In such an instance, we would be happy to broker this return on your behalf to the brewery responsible.
If less than 5L (5l / .568ml = 8.8 pints) has been used, we credit you the FULL cost of the keg.
- If more than 5L is gone, we credit you pro-rata for the contents
Here's an example pro-rata calculation
A customer brings us a 30L keg with an original price of 165e.
After 9L (9l / .568ml = 8.8 pints), they decide the product is not right.
They bring it back to us, we find there is 21L left in the keg.
30L = 165
1L = 5.50e
21l x 5.50e = €115.50 is the amount that is refunded.
However, we require customers to check all elements of your system in advance. Send us a detailed email to sales@brewcrew.ie with at least 5 images and the answers to all questions below:
- Was the keg bought from Brew Crew?
- What date was the keg tapped?
- What date is on the Keg?
- What temperature is your fridge/ cooler at?
- What working pressure is your gas reg at?
- What Gas mix are you using?
- Is this the first keg on this system?
- When was the last good keg used?
It’s not the keg, it’s my set-up. I just can’t seem to get the pints quite right…
Head on the Guinness yellowish in colour, bubbles in the head, head too small or too big, not sticking/clinging to the glass, not creamy enough, settling too quick, bitter/sour taste? Give this document a read:
https://brewcrew.ie/pages/guinness-quality-presentation
Do you sell the kegs for the Philips PerfectDraft keg machine? Or, do you sell the kegs for The Sub Torp machine/Dream Draft?? What about Heineken Blade Kegs, any 5 or 8 litre kegs at all???
Not yet! Watch this space.
Try the sites below...
https://www.beerwulf.com/en-gb
https://www.beerhawk.co.uk/perfect-draft-range/perfect-draft-kegs
http://www.bier-wein.de/
https://www.saveur-biere.com/en/
https://www.draughtmaster.com/en/beers/
GAS
Do you refill gas?
While we don’t fill gas ourselves, we send a stillage full of empty cylinders to Star Gas on a weekly basis. We try to hold as much stock as possible in all sizes and mixes at all times.
Do I have to pay anything against a new cylinder?
The cost of any new cylinder (without a Star Gas swap) is €100.
Can I get money back?
We operate a rent-free service. The cost of participation in our gas scheme is €100 paid against any new cylinder ordered from us. The cost of gas (i.e. the refill) is separate to this.
We offer to buy back the cylinder within 36 months at a rate of €50*
We offer to buy back any Star Gas cylinder at €30
*Proof of Purchase Required
Any refunds will be processed back to the original form of payment in line with the above terms.
What if I just need gas for the weekend, and I don’t have a swap?
We understand that, sometimes, you simply need a cylinder in a hurry to pour the weekend's beer, and we are here to help! Whether you need a spare cylinder to ensure you don't run short at your event, or you've unexpectedly lost gas, we offer customers the option of purchasing a cylinder and returning it to us after the weekend - outlined below:
Return within 10 working days to receive €100 cost of cylinder back in full*
If the cylinder is not returned within the specific period, our normal T&Cs apply
*Proof of Purchase Required
We extend this amnesty period over Christmas.
How did the historic gas deposits work before?
The terms below were outlined in our September 2nd 2024 newsletter and via notice in-store from August 2024 - This gave all customers the option of returning any cylinders to us before March 1st 2025:
Now to March 1st 2025:
€60 against a Star Gas cylinder pre-January 2022*
€100 against any Star Gas cylinder post-January 2022**
From March 1st 2025:
€30 against a Star Gas Cylinder*
€50 against a Star Gas cylinder returned within 36 months**
Customers will be reimbursed in full if a cylinder is returned within 14 Calendar days
*Cylinder must be 36 months from Re-Test date
**Proof of Purchase Required
Why did these terms change?
On March 1st 2025, we brought our gas cylinder core T&Cs in line with our supplier Star Gas. This update will helped ensure we could continue to safely manage our choice of Gas Cylinder sizes and gas mixes. We pride ourselves in having the right products in the best possible condition available to all our customers.
I have an empty cylinder to return, what do I have to pay?
We only accept Star Gas cylinders as swaps. As long as it’s a Star Gas empty you have, you only have to pay the refill cost of the gas itself!
Am I renting the cylinder or how does it work?
All of our gas is 100% rent-free. You can wait until you’ve used up your gas before you return it to us.
What about BOC gas, grey/red Heineken and other non Star Gas cylinders?
They don’t work as swaps! We use Star Gas only. BOC specialise in on-trade sales. All cylinders have “retest” dates embossed on them, it is unsafe to use cylinders that have surpassed the year listed.
Can I get any money back for returning non Star Gas cylinders?
No. These are the property of the provider they originally came from. These include Heineken cylinders which we never charged any money against.
I have no swap, so I need to buy a cylinder from you.
If you don't have a swap or are just looking to get started, the cost of any new cylinder is €100. The cost of gas (i.e. the refill) is separate to this.
The breakdown of a new 2l cylinder is shown below:
Price:
€30 (Gas Refill)
€130 (Gas Refill) €30+ (Cylinder) €100
Price above includes VAT @ 23%
Store Pickup and Van Delivery Available*
*Price Calculated at Checkout
Do you deliver?
Our gas delivery procedure works the same way as that of our kegs. We can deliver all over. Or, you can collect from us here. If you have a swap to give back, ensure it's a Star Gas cylinder to avoid paying a fee.
If I give you my 10 litre cylinder for a smaller size, will I be able to get that size back?
Absolutely. The initial cost of the cylinder is universal across all sizes. You can go up and down the sizes as you wish. Our stock levels are monitored and updated weekly.
Do I have enough gas to finish my keg(s)?
As a general rule we recommend to have 1 Bar of pressure per litreage you are looking to pour. (50 Bar for 50L). For larger volume cylinders, this may not be accurate.
How many kegs will I get out of my new gas bottle?
Always Bubble-test your gas line when starting a new cylinder for best outcome. When used correctly with in date equipment.:
A 2 Litre gas bottle should dispense at least 2 full size kegs or 100L
A 5 litre gas bottle should dispense around 4-5 full size kegs or 200-250l
A 10 litre gas bottle should get you between 8-10 full size kegs - around 400-500l
I’m not getting anywhere close to that out of my bottle, do I have a leak?
Quite possibly. We would recommend performing a bubble test yourself and/or checking obvious leak points with gas on for at least 15 minutes. A temporary/preventative measure is turning the gas off when the system is not in use, while leaving everything connected (turn valve on top of gas bottle counterclockwise)
What are the most common sources of leaks?
1. The O-ring on the male thread of the regulator - is it cracked/disintegrating/loose?
2. Not tightening the nut at the point that screws into the bottle. When connecting a new gas bottle Make sure to use the correct spanner (usually 28MM or 24MM) or an adjustable wrench to tighten. Not a vise grips! The black housing covering this nut might have to be removed.
3. A coupler not in use - Is one of your lines not currently connected up to a keg? Gas could be slowly escaping out of the tapping head if its handle isn’t fully disengaged.
4. The regulator has jumped or is set above 60 PSI which has triggered the safety blow off.
5. You have an argon or otherwise incompatible regulator/a faulty regulator or one that is past its retest date... buy a new reg!
How do I set the working pressure of my regulator?
There should be some sort of nut at the top of your reg that you can adjust. It may require the use of an allen key or flathead screwdriver. If your reg has a gauge that tells you the working pressure, adjust until you reach the desired PSI - you may need to bleed the pressure as you go to ensure the needle sits where you want it to. If you do not have such a gauge, your regulator may have been pre-set, and you will need to use an external gauge to set it.
What should I set my PSI to?
Your gas regulator should be set between 35-38 PSI - about 2.5 bar. You may need to stick to a range of 30-35 PSI if you are using a kegerator at lower temperatures.
What mix should I use?
75% Nitrogen/25% Co2 or simply 75/25 for stout - This has been found to be slightly more optimal than the 70/30 mix used in the past. Use 50/50 mix for lager/ale/cider. It is absolutely fine to use 75/25 for, say, Guinness and Lager at the same time, if you are working off a one cylinder/one regulator set-up.
Rentals
Do you have availability?
We hold deep stock of our rental equipment. Aside from Christmas week, we guarantee availability.
How does it work?
Equipment rental is NOT included in the prices listed for each keg.
Pick Your Keg:
You pick one keg or more. They can be the same or different beers.
For all things kegs… see (here) - keg section on FAQs!
Pick Your Tap:
Our menu will recommend the equipment that may best suit your beer tap requirements. This is mostly determined by the number of guests you are expecting.
If you have your own equipment system, you can pick that option too.
Pick Delivery Option:
You choose to have items delivered at a rate determined by your location,
or you can arrange to collect them at our depot at no charge.
When do I need to order by?
Online orders must be completed by midnight Wednesday for delivery in the same week.
Late orders are possible. However, we advise you to call us on 00353 14401962 to confirm availability.
Who will be delivering the keg and tap, do you set it all up?
We deliver and set up all our jobs ourselves. Our beer technicians are highly trained, charming, and efficient.
A single or double keg set up is normally completed in less than 20 Mins. We leave your beer ready-to-pour.
This includes us taking our time to show you how to operate the machine, and achieve the best results for your guests.
Can I collect?
Yes. We operate a collect-it-yourself service by appointment.
We will spend 10 minutes showing you how our premium equipment is best set-up when you get to your destination. With that, we provide a full instruction manual and an emergency mobile number which is monitored all weekend.
Can I have the stuff delivered and set-up, but return myself?
Yes. If you want to save on the collection fees. You can have it whatever way works for you:
- Delivery, set-up and collection by us
- Delivery, set up and return by you
- Collection by you, return by you
If you have a sore head after the weekend, or just aren’t in the mood to lug the stuff back to us, we can even organise a collection by us for orders that were picked up in-store! (normal fees apply)
What equipment is delivered?
Standard Counter-Mounted Tap System Includes:
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1 x Premium Chrome Tap with a clamp and drip tray.
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1 x Electric beer cooler to suit your events needs (Dry block cooler - no water required!)
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1 x All beer line, gas line, and connections are pre-installed, tested, and cleaned.
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1 x Gas cylinder and gas regulator with safety box.
Where can we set up the tap?
All these items can be placed directly on the floor under your chosen counter. If you hire a counter, the equipment fits neatly underneath. Our equipment can be set up outside as long as there is some rain protection.
What needs to be ready to make for an easy delivery?
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If you aren’t availing of one of our bar counters, you’ll need a solid table or counter-top to fix the clamp to. The regular clamp's jaw/bite dimensions suit counters 20mm - 60mm. Flimsy plastic lightweight picnic tables are best avoided.
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We need mains electricity to plug in our unit.
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You may need to use an extension cable, we can only supply these for delivery customers
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It's also very helpful for furniture to be moved in advance of our arrival. Designate an area for our equipment to live. If you are thinking of keeping the stuff outside, we would ask you to organise some sort of covering when not in use - to protect against the elements!
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Cars and wheelie bins are obstacles when moving heavy items, so deciding and preparing our route is always very helpful.
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We need you to read and understand our terms of service. And then you are on your own to enjoy the best draught in the country.
What else can we hire from you?
We supply bars, glassware, bar accessories, and beer tap dispensing equipment for house parties and corporate events.
We can also deliver ice, bottle bins and chilling basins for drinks and cooling.
How long can we keep the equipment if we need to finish off the keg?
Each tap system is due for collection/return from Monday after the weekend. Any extension of the rental period must be booked in.
An extension of the rental period can be booked if you need more time to finish the beer. Charge per rollover/re-hire is just 70% of equipment rental charge.
What is the Brew Crew Cancellation Policy for events?
Events may be cancelled with no charges up to 7 full business days prior to the event.
Events cancelled within 5 full business days are subject to a 10% charge on the estimated costs at the time of cancellation.
Events cancelled within 2 calendar days, the cancellation charge is 30% and within 24 hours, a cancellation charge of 70% will apply.
We do not like applying these fees. But, we must recoup some costs against labour and overheads, where significant planning for the event has occurred.
Can I buy the equipment I just rented?
We’re delighted your event was a success! We’d be happy to supply you with brand new equipment for you - explore our range of home bar solutions, from kegerators and coolers to Lindr units, on the equipment section on the site.
Deposits
Do I have to pay a deposit to secure my booking?
A fully refundable Rental Deposit of 200e will be taken on ALL Rentals.
It is returned to you on the day you drop back your rental equipment.
We only accept card payments for our tap rental deposits.
Card transactions can take up to 7-10 working days for money to be processed - usually much quicker, but this depends on your bank.
Why do I have to pay this?
It covers damage, loss, or extension of rental period. It is refunded in full as soon as we collect/you return our equipment.
Should the VAT be charged over the rental and the deposit or just the rental? Why is this?
“You may receive a deposit or pre-payment before you have completed supplying your goods or services. In such cases, a supply is deemed to have taken place at the time of receiving the payment. Value-Added Tax (VAT) is chargeable on the pre-payment and you must pay the VAT to Revenue in your VAT return.”
Can I pay in cash?
We only accept card payments for our tap rental deposits. You must pay in advance.
How long will it take to hit my account?
We issue the refund straight away (post-event). We use Stripe/Shopify for our payments. Usually, you will have the money back between 1-3 working days.
However, please note that the transaction can take up to 7-10 working days for money to be processed - So, up to 2 full weeks is possible. This really depends on your bank. We really wish this was not the case. The timeline of this process is beyond our control. We cannot speed it up, and we cannot request any greater information for you. See below:
“Due to varying processing times at your customer's bank, it might take up to 10 business days for the refunded amount to be received. Refunds are processed in accordance with your payout schedule, and are typically scheduled for the next payout.”
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/orders/refund-cancel-order
What about any other refunds?
Same goes! All refunds can take up to 10 days to appear back in your account but, again, are typically much quicker.
Please understand that the exact timeline of this process is beyond our control, as it depends on the policies of financial institutions.
We appreciate your patience and assure you that we will process your refund as swiftly as possible.
Is a refund via Revolut possible?
We can make refunds from our Brew Crew Revolut Business account to your Personal account. We would the normal beneficiary’s account details to set up the transfer to a new counterparty.
1. First name:
2. Surname:
3. Mobile:
4. Email:
5. IBAN:
6. BIC:
We need all 6 details to make this happen.
Do I have to pay a deposit on kegs?
You no longer need to pay a deposit on stock kegs, even if you do not have an empty keg. Though, we can charge them for some craft choices. If you have any empties from elsewhere, we will happily return them to the right brewery on your behalf!
Can I get my historic keg deposit back?
In very rare circumstances, there may be an outstanding 50e keg deposit on your account. Return the keg to us and we will process the refund to the original form of payment - provided we can find it on our records, or you can present a receipt of the order.
Am I the only person who has read down this far on the page?
Yes, now get some people together for a party. You are a bloomin' kegged beer delivery expert now.