Comment about finding a keg

[oldgrouch62]

The keg boiler is the only thing I haven't sourced yet. Slowly gathering parts as I continue the "read till your eyes bleed" aspect. Earlier this week I made it to a distributor who had told me on the phone that they "had a few kegs they might consider selling." When I showed up and spoke to the same person, he changed his attitude to an unqualified, "NO!" This was after I gave him the building-a-rat-rod-need-one-for-a-gas-tank spiel. And then he actually told me to just go get one from a liquor store, have a bunch of friends over to help drink the beer, and don't go back for your deposit! Unbelievable.

So it is back to the search for this. Have a couple more distributors not too impossible far away to check in with, if I wash out there I guess it is online purchase...which I really hate to do but might have to. Have a great weekend, HD!

[heartcut]

The local beer shop has a agreement with a couple craft breweries and has their usable rejects for sale, first come ect, $45.

[Nutmegmooner]

There are two breweries in my town. The really small one was unable to help me but seemed like it would be worth checking in from time to time. The larger one is in the process of converting to a new style keg and sold me an old one for $100.

[oldgrouch62]

Well, I have zero breweries, that I can find at least, within a hundred miles of me. And there is just one brew shop in easy driving distance. But I will look into that as well, and I thank you both for the advice. May be a road trip in my future. Or maybe I am just being too stingy and/or paranoid and should just break down and order one online. But the online prices strike me as a bit salty, and I've always believed that if you are going to do something that you'd rather not have anyone find out about, deal in-person, pay cash and don't leave your name. Better safe than sorry.

[rad14701]

The problem you are encountering is due to the fact that the distributor does not own the kegs... They belong to the beer brewer stamped into the keg, whether Coors, Budweiser, etc... They are the only ones who can legally sell a keg unless if has been decommissioned... And for the guy to tell you to steal a keg by forfeiting the deposit is just not right either... We've been round and round that discussion too many times... Only discussions about legally procured kegs, please...

[oldgrouch62]

The problem you are encountering is due to the fact that the distributor does not own the kegs... They belong to the beer brewer stamped into the keg, whether Coors, Budweiser, etc... They are the only ones who can legally sell a keg unless if has been decommissioned... And for the guy to tell you to steal a keg by forfeiting the deposit is just not right either... We've been round and round that discussion too many times... Only discussions about legally procured kegs, please...

Sorry if I stepped over a line. I was just sharing my frustration and disbelief at the guy at the distributorship. I agree with you 100%. I only want to legally obtain a keg for a boiler. I'd prefer to do it on the down-low because I am kind of paranoid when it comes to things that are frowned upon by the powers-that-be. But the last thing I want to do is make myself unwelcome here. I just recently registered but I've been nosing around the site for several years and I do not want to get crosswise with you good people. Subject dropped.

[Soggy Bottom Boy]

....., and I've always believed that if you are going to do something that you'd rather not have anyone find out about, deal in-person, pay cash and don't leave your name. Better safe than sorry.

Nothing wrong, suspicious, or illegal about buying a beer keg from a legitimate manufacturer or retail seller like Beverage Factory. You can get a brand new, keg that YOU own, delivered right to your door right now in the $145 total cost range, depending on where they have to ship it to. Sometimes, they are on sale for a little less if you watch for long enough. .........Brewing beer, and storing it in a keg is not illegal. There is no requirement for them to supply any government agency with a list of who buys a keg.

It's not like the current mess that has happened lately with commercial still manufacturers that ARE required to do so if the TTB asks for a list of people who have purchased a completed still head or still boiler.

Sorry if I stepped over a line. I was just sharing my frustration and disbelief at the guy at the distributorship. I agree with you 100%. I only want to legally obtain a keg for a boiler. I'd prefer to do it on the down-low because I am kind of paranoid when it comes to things that are frowned upon by the powers-that-be. But the last thing I want to do is make myself unwelcome here. I just recently registered but I've been nosing around the site for several years and I do not want to get crosswise with you good people. Subject dropped.

In my opinion, this subject should not have to be dropped, it is a valid conversation that newbies should see, and think about it for themselves, even if it seems to bring up controversial views on peoples ideas on what is morally right or wrong, shady or legit, etc.

I am of the opinion that a keg stamped or marked by any brewery, is the property of that brewery. The argument that so-and-so brewery is out of business, so I now own the keg, is a bit of a gray area as most breweries that go under have their equipment bought up by other brewers who then get the kegs re-branded(now here comes the gray part), except the ones that are not in physical inventory, but may be listed as part of the deal as inventory owned by the selling company, thus there are kegs out there that don't get re-branded unless they find their way back to the new brewery.

Just my opinion on the matter.

[rad14701]

oldgrouch62, my comments were not targeted directly towards you but to anyone reading this topic who may be feeling the same frustrations... Keg theft is a major concern as far as the bottom line for many breweries and there have been several topics as well as links to articles about the problem posted here in these forums over the years... More of a heads up, not finger pointing... How can we ever be viewed as honest hard working folks who just want our hobby decriminalized if we're viewed as thieves...???

[The KYChemist]

I got my keg from BeverageFactory.com. Was it a little pricey? Yes. Was it shipped quick? Yes. Is it good quality? Yes. I also have piece of mind knowing that the keg is legally mine. Well worth the extra price, IMHO.

[S-Cackalacky]

oldgrouch62, my comments were not targeted directly towards you but to anyone reading this topic who may be feeling the same frustrations... Keg theft is a major concern as far as the bottom line for many breweries and there have been several topics as well as links to articles about the problem posted here in these forums over the years... More of a heads up, not finger pointing... How can we ever be viewed as honest hard working folks who just want our hobby decriminalized if we're viewed as thieves...???

Rad, how does someone reconcile the purchase of a keg from a yard sale or Craig's List or some such? I got one in a yard sale, but it was so beat up and mangled, I didn't really question its origin. I suspect that many such kegs are acquired by dubious means.

[fatman]

I have saved a keg from the scrapper, probably wasn't meant to be scrapped but I saved it from the shredder.

I would not recommend not returning a keg thinking the deposit will make it yours?

Let YOUR conscious be your guide, there are always kegs for sale on Craigslist around here, this guy has a bunch of them, and he will cut them open or what ever?

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/for/4334623976.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[bellybuster]

all my kegs have come from various scrap yards. I just stop in from time to time and pay weight value, usually between $20-$40 each

[White_Lightning_Rod]

I called all the scrap yards around me and they all tell me it is illegal for them to buy kegs. I found mine on CL

[cob]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... g#p6998203

[oldgrouch62]

oldgrouch62, my comments were not targeted directly towards you but to anyone reading this topic who may be feeling the same frustrations... Keg theft is a major concern as far as the bottom line for many breweries and there have been several topics as well as links to articles about the problem posted here in these forums over the years... More of a heads up, not finger pointing... How can we ever be viewed as honest hard working folks who just want our hobby decriminalized if we're viewed as thieves...???

My sentiments exactly! That was why I made the original post, I was so disgusted that a distributor would actually recommend doing that. And I have been on the wrong end of the theft equation a number of times over the years...I know what it feels like to have somebody rip off something I worked my @$$ off for and I don't wish it on anybody.

Just to be clear, I do not, never did, intend to obtain one illegally. I have badly underestimated how many are out there in legal ownership and possibly for sale. I would much prefer to deal locally but if I can't, then I can't. I know that they are not required to track keg sales...but I have dark doubts about what some of our more notorious alphabet agencies might be doing under the table. Keg ownership, no, not illegal...but I am sure that they know what a lot of the kegs being sold are ending up being used for: Hobby still boilers. So they could use that info to look elsewhere into a person's business, legally, and maybe find something that is actionable. Yes, probably paranoia on my part, but I'd rather be safe than sorry any day.

Be following up a couple of leads in the next few days...probably ending up just ordering one and hoping that all my doubts are just nonsense.

[Soggy Bottom Boy]

Another place to buy new kegs. I think that shipping is included at this price(currently $149 in qty's of 1-12), although, sales tax may be added depending on where it is shipped to. BrewMagic