Does switching from kegs to tank beer have to be expensive?

Introduction

Tank beer systems are often associated with large stainless steel or polished copper tanks, custom installations and significant investment. While these premium installations certainly exist, starting with tank beer does not necessarily have to be expensive.

Today, there are several tank options available, making it possible to create a professional tank beer installation for different budgets, locations and brand concepts.

Switching to tank beer can be simpler than you think 

The total investment in a tank beer system depends on several factors: the type and size of the tanks, the number of tanks required, the chosen finish, the existing beer dispensing equipment and the amount of installation work needed.

One important factor is often overlooked: many venues already have part of the required infrastructure in place.

When a location already operates a conventional keg beer system, components of the existing installation can often be reused or integrated into the new tank beer setup.

Switching from kegs to tank beer does not necessarily mean investing tens of thousands of euros. When a venue already has a suitable keg beer installation, much of the existing dispense infrastructure can often be reused. 

This means that switching from kegs to tank beer does not always require a completely new dispense installation.

The tank itself does not have to be expensive

Another common misconception is that a visible tank beer installation automatically requires expensive polished copper tanks.

Copper tanks can create a beautiful, premium appearance and become a real centrepiece in a bar or restaurant. But they are not the only option.

Duotank offers a complete range of tank finishes, including:

Lower investment does not mean lower visibility

This is where the PU tank has become particularly interesting.

A black PU-finished tank provides breweries with a more accessible way to introduce tank beer without sacrificing the visual impact of having beer tanks inside the venue.

In fact, its relatively neutral exterior creates plenty of opportunities for branding and personalisation.

PU tanks can be customised using wraps, stickers, logos, graphics or other creative designs. Instead of treating the tank simply as technical equipment, breweries can make it part of the interior and turn it into a highly visible brand element.

The examples below show how a relatively simple tank finish can become a prominent feature within a hospitality environment.

Examples of branded PU-finished tanks in hospitality and event environments. 

From functional to premium: choose the finish that fits

The tanks do not need polished copper or stainless steel to attract attention. Creative branding can transform the installation into a strong visual statement and clearly communicate to customers that the beer is served directly from tanks.

The different finishes also give breweries more freedom when developing a tank beer concept.

For a flagship location, a highly polished copper installation might be the perfect choice. For a modern restaurant or bar, stainless steel may better suit the interior. And for breweries looking for a cost-effective solution or planning to roll out tank beer across multiple locations, a PU-finished tank can be an attractive alternative.

Whatever finish is selected, the operational principles remain the same. The difference is primarily in appearance, positioning and investment.

This allows breweries to decide where they want to invest in visual presentation without having to compromise on the functionality of their tank beer system.

Examples of branded tanks in hospitality and event environments. 

One tank beer concept, different investment levels

At Duotank, we believe tank beer should not be limited to projects with large investment budgets. 

Our range of 2.5 HL, 5 HL and 10 HL venue tanks, combined with different finishes and branding possibilities, makes it possible to configure tank beer installations for different volumes, locations, concepts and budgets. 

And where an existing keg installation can be partially reused, the step towards tank beer can be significantly smaller than expected. 

Tank beer can therefore be both a premium solution and an accessible one. 

The better question is not simply “How much does a tank beer system cost?” but “What tank beer system do we actually need for this location?”

Once that is clear, Duotank can configure a solution that matches the required capacity, desired appearance and available budget.

Considering switching from kegs to tank beer?

Every venue is different. Existing dispense equipment, required tank capacity, tank finish and installation requirements all influence the final investment.

Duotank can assess the existing situation, determine which components can be reused and help select the tank configuration that provides the right balance between investment, functionality and brand visibility.