Not All Mini Kegs Are Built The Same.
If you’re comparing us to $129 "keg systems" online, here’s what you need to know.
Excellent 4.9 | 40,000+ Customers
Most “Mini Kegs” Aren’t Actually Draft Systems.
Why Don't They Have Videos?
- Because a generic mini keg with a regulator that has a 5psi+/- range, sending beer to a tap attached directly to the keg, without a way to control the flow speed, has no hope of pouring a beer properly.
- A real draught beer system is complex.
- It balances exact gas pressure (within 2psi), liquid flow rates and precisely machined components that prevent turbulence.
- Without the system working in harmony you will only ever pour flat beer, or nothing but foam.
What's A Draught System Then?
How Do Pub Draught Systems Work?
In a pub draught system, the gas pressure for each keg is set individually. The length of beer line between the cellar and the tap is precisely measured. From those, the correct internal diameter of the line up to the tap is calculated. This balance means the beer is flowing at the correct speed to pour a perfect head at the tap.
- Increasing gas pressure in a keg pushes the beer faster (but will overcarbonate the keg if it's 1-2 psi too high).
- Reducing gas pressure will slow the flow. (but the keg will go flat if it's 1-2 psi too low).
- Internal resistance means thinner lines will flow more slowly than thicker ones at the same gas pressure.
iKegger: A Beer Draught System
We Have Hundreds Of Videos Of Perfect Pours
- This is only possible because our regulator can keep the gas pressure constant, and within a 1-2psi range.
- Without the long line between keg and tap, you also need to be able to control flow speed as you pour.
- Our patented push-button flow control tap was designed from scratch to be completely intuitive to use, while replacing the function of metres and metres of beer line.
- Just push a bit harder to speed up the flow, release presure on it to slow down. Change the flow rate on the flyso you always get a perfect pour!
Nitro infused drinks require a different set of factors to be perfect to get that iconic Guinness like pour.
Make Nitro Coffee At Home?
Nitro Coffee needs specific 3 factors to pour correctly.
- A Nitrogen gas source (rather than CO2 for beer and carbonated drinks).
- Very high pressure (to push the Nitrogen gas into the coffee 45psi+ rather than to 10-15psi for beer).
- A specially designed tap to pour from (that dislodges the Nitrogen during pouring).
- These 3 together are what creates the beautiful dense creme and iconic cascading foam.
Why Generic Kegs Don't Nitro
Why Don't Generic Kegs Work For This?
The Pressure
- Nitrogen bulbs contain gas at up to 3000psi (CO2 are generally around 800-900psi). At best a regulator only designed for CO2 will likely be damaged by Nitrogen. At worst, if there aren't safety features to deal with excess pressure, it's potentially dangerous.
- Most generic keg regulators are only suitable for CO2. Some claim they work great for NITRO coffee, but say only use CO2 bulbs.
- To get around this some generic kegs, designed for Nitro Coffee, don't have a regulator at all. They have a bulb injector instead. You screw in the bulb like a cream whipper. The whole thing empties into the keg at once, then as you pour the pressure drops till you put a new bulb in. The pressure isn't kept stable by a regulator, so the pour speed changes and the nitro effect varies as you go.
The Tap
- Generic kegs designed for Nitro Coffee are usually restricted to it due to the tap being only designed to dislodge Nitrogen at high pressure. They turn beer into a glass of froth.
iKegger 2.0: Nitro System
iKegger 2.0 Does It All
Hundreds of hours were spent creating a tap that pours beer, nitro coffee and cocktails perfectly thanks to extremely exact internal components of the tap and a mini regulator than can use both CO2 and Nitrogen safely and while maintaining exactly the right keg pressure.
Some cocktails are easy as to batch up, in any keg. Generic doesn't cut it for the most popular though.
Batching Up Cocktails On Tap
Spirit & Mixers
- With gin and tonic, rum and coke etc the exact pressure is not as important as with beer.
- About 15-17psi is the best for good carbonation, but a couple psi either side is not the end of the world.
- They also generally don't create long lasting foam that prevents you filling your glass, just fizz that disappears pretty quick so flow control is not as vital.
- Still, you will end up with flat or over-carbonated drinks if your pressure isn't consistently at the right level.
Shaken Style Cocktails (Espresso Martini, Whiskey Sours etc)
- Forget it with a generic keg for the same reasons as nitro coffee.
Why Generic Doesn't Cut it
For basic soda based drinks, there is a chance you'll be ok with a generic keg. Just don't expect to be able to control the carbonation level, or pour without it splashing everywhere. Or store it without spilling everywhere. Or fit it into a fridge shelf...
For nitro cocktails, like espresso martinis and sours, forget it.
Any generic keg (or tank...) that claims it works great for espresso martinis, has no idea what they are talking about if the regulator is only suitable for CO2.
iKegger 2.0: Cocktail Kegging
As with beer and nitro coffee, iKegger 2.0 excels at maintaining consistent pressure, adjusting the flow speed on the fly and having components that are of the highest quality and tested for hundreds of hours.
This ensures your espresso martinis pour with cascading creme, your sours with luxurious dense foam and your mojitos with the perfect level of crisp, refreshing carbonation.
Storage & Use
Generic Mini Kegs:
- Store & pour upright only.
- Once filled can't remove tap.
- Easy to bump and spill.
- Remove shelves or get a second fridge.
iKegger:
- Store & pour lying down too
- Slides into a fridge shelf.
- Lockable tap prevents spills.
- Remove tap spout anytime.
- 1/10 the size and weight of some generic keg tap options.
Tap Quality
Generic:
- Chrome coat can flake off.
- Rough internals cause foam.
- No flow control
- Rear seal causes mould.
iKegger:
- Precision stainless steel.
- Smooth internal flow path.
- Intuitive flow control.
- Internal seal = no mould.
Gas & Safety
Generic:
- Basic gas regulator / injector
- Limited to small CO₂ bulbs
- Often wildly inaccurate.
- Lack of safety features.
iKegger:
- Highly accurate regulator
- CO₂, Nitro & Nitrous bulbs.
- CO2, N2, N2O & Argon disposable gas bottles.
- Sodastream & refillable CO2 gas bottles.
- Multiple safety features.
We Aren't Salesmen.
We're mini keg obsessed nerds
We designed iKegger 2.0 from scratch, using decades of experience with draught systems.
Every aspect was optimised over hundreds of hours of testing, real-life use and a decade of customer feedback.
Neither of us is any good at sales. We let our products and happy customers do the talking for us.
8000+ customer reviews verified by Judge.Me
Cocktail Keg
Espresso Martinis were a winner for NYE! Push-button pouring till dawn!
Nitro Coffee On Tap
Added 2 of the 10L kegs to my coffee cart and sales for Nitro cold brew have been great. Super easy to use too!
Beer Keg 5L
I got Mum of the year award for this Bday present! Son was thrilled with the keg and sent me a pic getting it filled at a brewery.
Beer Keg Package
Awesome! Have beers on tap in the shed now and didn't need to get anything except the ikegger. Stoked
Cocktail Package
Wife loves the margs and she was preety happy getting this for our anniversay
Check The Reviews
A genuine 3 star review we received:
⭐⭐⭐- “Arrived a week late after AusPost said it was damaged in transit. When it arrived, the box was dented on several sides. Yes the items were not damaged, but that's not the point"
VS
A genuine 5 star review from a generic keg online:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- "The tap drips a bit and my beer was pretty flat after two days, but good for the price"
We sell virtually Auspost proof* draught systems. Generic kegs cost less, but can't handle the most basic draught system functions.
*Unfortunately nothing is completely Auspost proof.
You deal with us - Dave & Oner
Real People. Real Support.
- Packed and shipped daily from Wollongong, NSW.
- It's us that you talk to. Not a call centre or sales team.
- Local warranty, returns and aftersales support.
iKegger Is For You If:
- You care about drink quality.
- You want pro-level pouring.
- You value design & service.
- You want a draught solution, that can go anywhere, not a disposable gadget.
Generic Versions Are Probably For You If:
- You are just looking for the cheapest option.
- It's just a gimmick, you'll throw it in the back of a cupboard after one use.
- You'll deal with leaks, drips, foam and flat beer.
- It's ok that "customer support" is copy & pasted email replies from people who've never used a keg.