Schaefer Kegs VS Chinese Kegs: Pros and Cons

Would you like to purchase beer containers but are still deciding whether to choose Schaefer kegs or Chinese kegs?

Schaefer kegs are known worldwide for their high quality, reliability, and durability. Stainless kegs from China are more affordable, which can influence the purchase decision.

In this article, we will review the pros and cons of both options, taking into account factors such as quality, price, and affordability. It will help you make an informed decision and buy the kegs to cover all your brewery's needs.

Pros and Cons of Chinese Kegs

Due to the price growth of draft beer equipment, there is a growing demand for kegs manufactured in China. Kegs manufacturers from this country offer a large selection of cheap beer kegs.

Although the price of such containers is significantly lower than that of the Schaefer Kegs, we do not recommend making a choice based only on the product's affordability.

Since they are cheap kegs, it is worth studying with great attention all the pros and cons of such barrels.

Advantages of Kegs from China

• Startup savings

One of the most significant benefits of Chinese kegs is cost savings.

Products from this market will cost much less than kegs produced in other countries, which allows breweries to save on their startup operating costs when they need to buy a large batch of barrels at once.

It is a good question whether these savings will be justified over time. Many consumers complain that the service life of such containers is much shorter than that of products from the North American or European markets.

• Quality

It is pretty good overall. The quality justifies the price of such products. 

We can advise them for beginners and small breweries who are not yet ready to make significant investments in expensive products and are only starting their way in the brewing market.

• Variety of materials

Chinese keg manufacturers offer a wide range of materials for keg production, including stainless steel and aluminum. 

Knowing what are kegs made of, breweries can choose the kegs that best suit their specific requirements and budget.

• Customization options

Many keg manufacturers in China provide the opportunity to brand their products so breweries can apply their logos, slogans, or images to barrels or otherwise customize them to their operational needs.

Disadvantages of Kegs from China

• Service life
  

Chinese kegs are unlikely to delight you with their durability and reliability. As a rule, they fail much faster than their European counterparts, which invariably brings us back to the issue of the economic benefits of such purchases. 

Even if you pay little at first, in the future, your brand will have to reinvest to buy new barrels or repair old ones. 

The latter leads us to the next drawback of such containers.

• Limited warranty

You pay for repairs out of your own pocket. The same is true in situations where the barrels become completely unusable: replacing damaged parts or containers must be done at your own expense.

• Compatibility issue

It may be difficult to find components compatible with your barrel during repair or scheduled maintenance of such products. 

Compatibility problems can also occur when you connect a keg to your draft beer system.

• Quality

Above, we have added quality to the list of advantages of these products. To be sure, let’s clarify again: Recording this as an advantage is possible only if you find a manufacturer in China who cares about the quality of their products first. 

Buyers should scrutinize suppliers and, if possible, request samples to ensure the quality meets their standards.

• Problems with logistics and delivery

Importing kegs from China often takes longer than purchasing from local suppliers. 

When choosing Chinese kegs, companies need to consider the cost of delivery, the time of order processing, and potential problems with customs clearance. Especially when you’re importing kegs from China to the US you have to pay higher import fees.

Pros and Cons of European Schaefer Kegs

European kegs from Schaefer are considered one the best in the brewing market. 

Schaefer kegs have been known on the market since 1978. They set a high standard of quality, ergonomics, and environmental friendliness in conjunction with the latest innovations in the brewing industry, coinciding with the growth of craft beer culture in North America.

These are genuinely quality kegs, suitable for any brewery. To better understand all the features of the products, let’s look at their pros and cons:

Advantages of Schaefer Kegs

• Quality
  

Schaefer kegs are known for their high production standards. They are made of 304 stainless steel and have a polyurethane coating. Their bodies are very durable and capable of withstanding daily falls and impacts.

It ensures their reliability and corrosion resistance, contributing to beer barrels' longer service life.

• Environmental friendliness

The barrels are produced by plasma-jet welding, which guarantees the highest level of biological safety and helps preserve the beer's quality, taste, and aroma.

• Wide range

The product range includes 1/2 bbl, 1/4 bbl, and 1/6 bbl SUDEX kegs made of 304 stainless steel.

You can also find Schaefer ECO kegs for ⅙ and ½ barrels, equipped with replaceable upper and lower chimes made of polypropylene.

Finally, you can buy PLUS kegs - durable barrels ready to withstand any load. 

• Stacking kegs
  

Schaefer European kegs are often designed to be easily stacked, optimizing storage space in breweries and bars.

• Warranty

All Schaefer kegs come with the best-in-class 5-year warranty on any manufacturing defects.

• Easy to operate and maintain

These barrels are 15-30% lighter than standard stainless steel models, greatly facilitating their operation and transportation. Comfortable ergonomic handles also promote the latter.

As for maintenance, you do not have to worry about finding the right accessories.

• Prompt delivery

Your company does not have to wait long and worry about the cost of customs clearance. 

Schaefer kegs are already in North America. So, we at UBC Group USA can ship them to you within 24 hours.

Disadvantages of Schaefer Kegs

These barrels have a few drawbacks—more precisely, only one - the price.

However, it is essential to understand that Chinese kegs are cheaper but serve less. Once you have invested in purchasing more expensive barrels, you will not have to worry about the safety of your products for a very long time.

But this is not all: UBC Group USA works with B2B customers, large breweries, bars, and restaurants. Registering at our website gives you access to wholesale keg prices, which are significantly lower than the market retail prices. The company also offers a lease-to-own keg program.

What to Look For When Choosing a Keg Supplier?

Do you know where to buy Schaefer kegs or how to find Chinese keg wholesalers?

No matter what capacity you choose, it is essential to find a reliable beer keg supplier.

• Reputation

Check the reputation of potential keg suppliers you are interested in. Look for reviews and recommendations from other companies that have worked with the supplier.

• Quality

Ask the supplier what are kegs made of? Examine product samples or read reviews about their operation, maintenance, and repair features.

• Assortment

Ensure that your chosen supplier's assortment satisfies the business objectives (e.g., the availability of different keg sizes made of various materials, the possibility of buying additional equipment, branding, etc.).

• Warranty
  

Ask what kind of guarantee the supplier offers and what exactly it covers.

• Service

Note how interested the supplier is in helping you with the keg selection. Priority is given to companies that try to solve their clients' requests quickly.

• Price policy

Consider not only the cost of the keg itself but also the terms and conditions of their delivery, payment options, and any additional services provided by your chosen contractor.

Still wonder what kegs should i buy?

If you are a beginner and unafraid of risks, you can experiment with Chinese kegs. However, if you try to work with Schaefer kegs at least once, you cannot refuse them! They are of an entirely different quality, contributing to the organization of smooth, comfortable, and more productive work in your brewery.

We at UBC Group USA are ready to help you choose the size and model of kegs to meet all your needs. We can also provide you with keg accessories,  high-quality branding, all the necessary equipment for dispensing and cooling beverages and more.