Keg shortage

[simon12]

All the small breweries are having problems because theres a shortage of kegstar kegs, this isn't a huge surprise to me as they are terrible at collecting them, most are using some kind of plastic disposable kegs instead. Then I got an email from a distributer saying about how Heineken are struggling with a keg shortage and biera moreti is now being supplied in 100l kegs as its all they have. I don't understand why no one seems to be able to collect there empties, as far as I can tell pubs are mainly reopened and grants have kept them afloat at least for now. Does any one know whats going on?

 

[marshbrewer]

There are still about 25% of pubs closed according to the last figures I saw, due to being unable to trade economically with social distancing in place. They will have a significant amount of kegs in their cellars. I doubt you can take that many units out of circulation without consequences.

 

[cushyno]

My simplistic logic surmises if there are 25% of pubs closed, that'll be 25% fewer kegs needing to be filled and transported, so where's the problem? It must be that breweries aren't collecting empty kegs from places they're still delivering to.

 

[simon12]

I just re read the Heineken message and it mentions a shortage of drivers as well as kegs, after a quick google it looks like there could be a shortage of all sorts due to this. Here's just 1 example Brexit: Lorry driver shortage could mean higher prices in shops

 

[user 4749]

Having been in the Pub Trade many years ago we always ended up with spare empty kegs the Delivery Drivers never took away as many as they brought .

 

[Justin Dean]

I just re read the Heineken message and it mentions a shortage of drivers as well as kegs, after a quick google it looks like there could be a shortage of all sorts due to this. Here's just 1 example Brexit: Lorry driver shortage could mean higher prices in shops

Covid example.

 

[UKSkydiver]

There have been about 40+ at the back of one of my locals for weeks, if not months. I have no idea why, whether they are not being collected for some reason. Multiply that up and that's a shxx load of kegs.

 

[foxy]

Old post but I have noticed that there seems to be another trend, not in home brewing but people are buying kegerator fridges and just buying ready made craft beer. No inclination to brew, just hook up the kegs.
As Keg King has a license to sell beer they are doing a great turnover in 20 litres of beer in disposable kegs from various breweries.
These kegs get returned, I grabbed a couple (they are free) I was thinking of cutting them up for making rat traps. After giving them a soak in sodium perborate and getting them sparkling clean I didn't have the heart to cut them up, could make someone good kegs or pressure fermenters, remove the Coupler and spear and use ball lock posts and a floating dip tube. Will take them back this coming week.

Filled with perborate.