Building a bar... where can I get a keg tap locally?

[rob]

I'm building a bar and am tossing back and forth the idea of putting in a keg & draft tap.

Anyone done this?

I haven't built the bar yet so I'm thinking that maybe I should buy one of those all-in-one fridge / tap combo jobbies (like this one: http://content.costco.ca/Images/Content/Product/773549ceL.jpg). I could support it inside of the bar and flush mount the top.

Or, is there maybe a better way to get a keg into my bar?

Any help is appreciated.

[tflash]

I love you man

[Ottawaman]

http://www.ontariobeverage.com/drafttowers.html

[SPARKY]

rob that link didn't work for me, I think your talking about the keg cooler Ive seen them at Costco with them just plug it in hook up the keg and your good to go.

Since you haven't built the bar yet it will be easy to design and build the bar to accommodate it.

I already had the bar before I decided to go draught, Bought a little fridge big enough to hold two mini kegs the tap assembly similar to the ones Ottawaman linked to ,and a couple of hoses, drilled a few holes and presto cold beer on tap.

About the same cost but looks a lot nicer seeing the brass taps right on the bar top.IMO

[dawtcalm]

You can also buy conversion kits to turn a small bar fridge into a kegerator.
Since you have a nice bar I wouldn't flush mount the bar fridge, it would look weak.
Definetly put it underneath and mount the taps to your actual bar.

You can also approach a restaurant/bar and ask them for their connection to get the tap handles etc. I buy alot of breweriana off ebay.

2 kegerators on ebay right now for $575 with free shipping... LINK (http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?sofocus=so&sbrftog=1&dfsp=1&catref=C6&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=kegerator&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&floc=1&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&sadis=200&fpos=L1R+2T5&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=)
or just buy a mini fridge and the kit for $150 LINK (http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?sofocus=so&sbrftog=1&dfsp=1&catref=C6&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=kegerator+kit&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&floc=1&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D1&sadis=200&fpos=L1R+2T5&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search)

[dawtcalm]

Off Topic: Hey Rob, from all your threads we can tell your basement must be coming along now, how about a new thread with some pictures to show your progress? before and afters, and the pics of the issues you were having (rough-in, furnace etc).
In a few years I'll probably want to finish my basement, so if you have any tips add them there too!

[rob]

how about a new thread with some pictures to show your progress? before and afters, and the pics of the issues you were having.
In a few years I'll probably want to finish my basement, so if you have any tips add them there too! Wow, thanks for the interest Dawtcalm. I've been talking pictures and making notes throughout the process and when she's all done, I was going to post a summary thread and thank everyone for their help. This won't be the last basement i finish!

So far, things are going well. The electrical is almost done - I made it super complicated with lighting scenes and 8 breakers for a small space - lol.

[rob]

http://www.ontariobeverage.com/drafttowers.html
You can also buy conversion kits to turn a small bar fridge into a kegerator.
Since you have a nice bar I wouldn't flush mount the bar fridge, it would look weak. Definetly put it underneath and mount the taps to your actual bar.

Thanks for the draftower link Ottawaman and kegerator ebay links Dawtcalm. This got me thinking about doing some more research and I've found some other sites on the net that specialize in this sorta thing. This is a perk of the basement and I think I'd rather spend my time polishing up the home theater electronics than drilling holes etc. The kegerator kits sound sorta tough.

The other pro to a unit that isn't built in is that I could lift it up and take it out on the deck for summer get togethers and birthday parties. I like that idea too.


rob that link didn't work for me, I think your talking about the keg cooler Ive seen them at Costco with them just plug it in hook up the keg and your good to go. Since you haven't built the bar yet it will be easy to design and build the bar to accommodate it. Here is the Costco link that I was looking at:

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10286782&search=keg&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-CA&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Sp=S&N=0&whse=BCCA&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&Ne=4000000&D=keg&Ntt=keg&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

However, the unit received very poor reviews over at Eopinions:
http://www99.epinions.com/Danby_DKC645BLS_Chill_n_Tap_Keg_Cooler

In a perfect world, I think that something like this looks great: http://www.kegworks.com/product.php?productid=19121&cat=418&page=1


You guys really seem to have a lot of experience with this stuff... .thanks a lot for this conversation.

[SPARKY]

Here a couple of links to give you a few more ideas.

http://www.bar-gear.com/index.htm
http://www.barplan.com/
http://www.precision-images.com/

[Dan]

rob I have no experience on the topic. but just reading the subject attracted me to read the thread hah.

Good sales pitch! jokes

<3 beer

off topic, but whats your favorite brew ?

[rob]

Here a couple of links to give you a few more ideas. Great links Sparky, thanks. I ran across 2 of those while origionally planning my bar. I was going to do a full walk around, but decided that the floor space would be better left open. Plus I'll be selling my house in the next little while and not everyone likes a walk-behind.

I'm building something like this: http://www.bar-gear.com/backbar.htm
But I'll be installing a small sink and had planed to enclose a fridge in the bottom before getting on this Keg line of thinking :)

[rob]

off topic, but whats your favorite brew ? Well, if we're talking favorites, it's Spaten - the Oktoberfest beer.

Locally, as much as I hate it, I have a bit of a yuppie beer palet. Rickards White and Stella are what I buy.

But I certainly haven't met a beer I didn't like and I've had A LOT of different kinds.