The cost of a beer keg depends on the brand, keg size and any offers available. As examples, Love Beer’s advertised prices include a 20-litre Birra Moretti Brewlock keg at £99, a 30-litre Guinness keg at £143.99 and a 50-litre Guinness keg at £220, including VAT and excluding delivery. Prices checked on 6 November 2026.
The keg price is only part of your budget. To understand what each pint will actually cost, you also need to consider delivery, dispensing equipment and how much beer you expect to serve.
Whether you’re ordering for a home bar, party or venue, this guide explains how to compare keg prices and calculate your cost per pint.
Beer keg prices: examples from Love Beer
The table below compares selected advertised prices with the approximate number of UK pints in each keg.
| Beer | Keg size | Approximate UK pints | Keg price including VAT | Beer cost per pint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birra Moretti Brewlock | 20L | 35.2 | £99.00 | £2.81 |
| Birra Moretti | 30L | 52.8 | £140.00 | £2.65 |
| Guinness | 30L | 52.8 | £143.99 | £2.73 |
| Foster’s | 50L | 88.0 | £146.00 | £1.66 |
| Birra Moretti | 50L | 88.0 | £213.00 | £2.42 |
| Guinness | 50L | 88.0 | £220.00 | £2.50 |
Advertised prices checked on 6 November 2026, including promotional prices where shown. Prices and availability can change. Calculations exclude delivery, equipment, gas and wastage.
These examples show why comparing the total keg price alone can be misleading. A larger keg may cost more to buy but less per pint.
How do you calculate a keg’s price per pint?
Use this formula:
Keg price ÷ number of UK pints = beer cost per pint
For example, a 50-litre keg contains approximately 88 UK pints. If it costs £220:
£220 ÷ 88 = £2.50 per pint
That is the cost of the beer before delivery and any dispensing costs.
For a fuller picture, use:
Total cost of beer, delivery and dispensing ÷ pints actually served = overall cost per pint
For a breakdown of capacities, read our guide to how many pints are in a keg.
How much does keg delivery add per pint?
Delivery has a greater effect on the cost per pint when you order a smaller quantity of beer.
The following example uses an illustrative £39.95 delivery charge to show the difference. It assumes one keg is ordered and the same delivery charge applies in each case.
| Keg size | Approximate UK pints | Example delivery charge | Delivery cost per pint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20L | 35.2 | £39.95 | £1.13 |
| 30L | 52.8 | £39.95 | £0.76 |
| 50L | 88.0 | £39.95 | £0.45 |
For the £220, 50-litre keg in our earlier example:
- Beer: £220.00
- Example delivery: £39.95
- Delivered total: £259.95
- Delivered beer cost per pint: approximately £2.95
This still excludes equipment, gas and wastage.
Check the delivery total for your actual basket before ordering. Love Beer calculates delivery at checkout, and its terms state that the checkout price applies where it differs from general delivery information elsewhere on the website.
What affects the price of a beer keg?
Brand and beer style
Different beers carry different prices. Compare the specific products you want to serve rather than assuming every lager, stout or IPA will cost the same.
A familiar mainstream lager, an imported beer and a specialist craft beer can have quite different costs per pint.
Keg size
A larger keg spreads the purchase cost across more servings, but it does not always offer the lowest price per pint. Promotions can change the comparison.
Calculate each option separately, especially when the same beer is available in both 30-litre and 50-litre kegs.
Offers and account pricing
Promotional prices can make a noticeable difference. Love Beer also advertises approved trade-account pricing, so eligible businesses should compare the price available when logged in.
Delivery arrangements
Check whether the quoted delivery covers your whole basket. Products supplied from different warehouses may carry separate delivery charges, as indicated on Love Beer product pages.
Compare the final delivered total rather than assuming one delivery charge will cover every combination of products.
Does a beer keg include a tap or dispenser?
Check exactly what the listing includes. A keg-only price should be budgeted separately from any equipment you need.
Depending on your chosen beer and setup, your budget may need to cover:
- A compatible dispenser or cooling system.
- The correct keg coupler.
- Suitable gas and a regulator, where required.
- Beer lines and a tap.
- Equipment hire, delivery or collection.
If you already own a system, confirm compatibility before ordering. Two kegs with the same capacity can require different fittings or dispensing arrangements.
For a one-off event, ask for a complete quote covering the beer and equipment so you can calculate the total cost.
How does wastage affect the cost per pint?
Keg capacities describe the volume of beer inside the container. They do not guarantee that every theoretical pint will be served.
Foaming, spills, setup losses and beer remaining in the lines can reduce your yield.
For example, suppose your beer and delivery cost £259.95:
| Pints actually served | Cost per pint |
|---|---|
| 88 | £2.95 |
| 84 | £3.09 |
| 80 | £3.25 |
This is a worked example, rather than a prediction of normal wastage.
Following the supplier’s setup and pouring instructions helps you get better value from the beer you buy.
Is a bigger keg always better value?
A bigger keg can offer a lower purchase cost per pint, but the best choice also depends on how much you will use.
Suppose you buy a 50-litre keg for £220 and serve only 50 pints before the remaining beer can no longer be used. Your beer cost becomes:
£220 ÷ 50 = £4.40 per pint served
That is before delivery and equipment.
Choose a keg size that suits expected demand, storage conditions and the product’s guidance on freshness after connection. A lower advertised cost per pint only helps if you can make use of the beer.
Are kegs cheaper than bottles and cans?
They can be, but compare equal volumes and include the costs of serving draught beer.
A UK pint is approximately 568ml, so a 330ml bottle or can contains considerably less beer than a pint. Comparing the price of one can with the price of one draught pint will not give a fair result.
For a straightforward comparison:
Total price ÷ total litres = cost per litre
Then add delivery and any equipment costs to the keg option. The result will depend on the beer, pack price and whether you already have a dispensing system.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 50-litre beer keg cost?
It depends on the beer and current offers. Examples advertised by Love Beer on 6 November 2026 included Foster’s at £146, Birra Moretti at £213 and Guinness at £220, including VAT and excluding delivery.
How much is a keg of Guinness per pint?
Using the example price of £220 for a 50-litre keg, the beer costs approximately £2.50 per UK pint before delivery, equipment and wastage.
Is delivery included in the price per pint?
Only if it has been included in the calculation. The main product table above shows the beer cost alone. Add your checkout delivery charge to calculate the delivered cost.
Can I buy a keg for a home bar or party?
Love Beer supplies home bars and events as well as venues. Check the keg’s dispensing requirements and arrange compatible equipment before ordering.
Find the right keg for your budget
Start with the beer you want, compare the cost per pint and check the delivered total. Then make sure you have the equipment needed to serve it.
Browse beer kegs at Love Beer or speak to our team for help choosing a keg and dispensing setup for your home bar, event or venue.