Few beverages compare to fresh tap beer. When a cold crisp brew hits the mouth with the perfect balance of smoothness and carbonation, you know that liquid can only be from a keg. Honestly, the only downside to kegs is when they are empty.
An empty keg means, sooner or later, you have to transport the precious beer holding vessel somewhere to replenish it again. Hauling a hefty keg around can be burdensome. You don’t want to break your back while loading a keg into your vehicle to take it back to the distributor. Or, even worse, hurt yourself transporting a full barrel of brew before you get the chance to enjoy it.
Luckily, there is a simple solution to make hauling kegs less straining. Hand trucks are the perfect way to transport barrels, full or empty. Keep reading to find out more information on the best hand trucks for kegs.
Top Hand Trucks For Kegs
Hand trucks transport more than beer kegs, so if you only want one for hauling kegs, we found some of the best options.
1. Rubbermaid Construction and Landscape Dolly
- This BRUTE Construction and Landscape Dolly (1997410) features oversized never flat wheels with DuraTread, to provide maximum performance and long-lasting use on even the roughest terrain
- Ergonomic cruiser handles provide comfortable maneuverability and maximum leverage with loads of up to 250 lbs
- Structural foam rim hook easily adjusts to secure 32-, 44-, and 55-gallon BRUTE trash cans (sold separately)
This durable hand truck is designed specifically for items with a circular base, like a keg or barrel. Many hand trucks have a rectangular base. You can fit a keg on a dolly like that, but it is usually more complicated. The base on this Rubbermaid hand truck is a half-circle with a slide-up ramp. The ramp makes loading kegs a breeze, and the half-circle shape supports the barrel for increased sturdiness.
According to Keg Works, a full keg of beer can weigh up to 160 pounds. The average person will struggle to move anything this heavy. We know you don’t want to risk any damage to your prized beer, so having a supportive base and ramp on your hand truck gives you peace of mind.
This dolly also comes with over-sized, ergonomic tires. Large tires that can take on any surface means you can get your keg into, or out of, even the hardest to reach locations. Suppose you want to skip the bar scene and have a party of your own out in the wilderness. Invite all your friends, ditch the cooler, and bring a keg instead. With this Rubbermaid dolly, you can push that prized barrel along any rocky path to get to your favorite spot.
One of the most outstanding features of this hand truck is the structural foam rim hook. This hook slides down the back of the dolly to the top of whatever barrel-like item you place on the base. Simply load the keg and then slide the hook down to make it even more secure. This security feature prevents the barrel from accidentally tipping over, which is the last thing you want to happen.
A dented keg can spoil a fresh batch of beer if it’s full. If it’s empty, and you have to return it to the distributor, a dent can mean you don’t get a deposit back. These are two things you most definitely don’t want to happen, and the adjustable hook lowers the chance of dents or damage.
The Rubbermaid hand truck is an excellent choice for anyone who needs to transport a full or empty keg. The base, tires, and hook mean any barrel-like item will arrive safely to its destination.
Pros
- Base designed specifically for barrels
- Can double as a way to transport heavy trash cans
- High weight capacity (250 pounds)
Cons
- User restricted to moving items with a circular base
- The hook may not reach some small kegs
2. Vergo Folding Hand Truck Dolly
- NO ASSEMBLY REQUIRED - Fully assembled and ready to use upon delivery. Simply unfold the nose plate and use the red release button to extend the handle.
- LIGHTWEIGHT – Weighing in at just 10 pounds, the hand truck is perfect for home, work or office.
- COLLAPSIBLE & COMPACT – Equipped with a folding nose plate and nesting wheels, the hand truck folds away flat. Saves space and opens back up in seconds. The telescoping handle extends out to a height of 42.5" and locks into place.
This collapsible hand truck is an excellent choice for people with little storage space. The intelligently engineered design makes folding the dolly a simple task when you finish using it. Not everyone has a big enough vehicle to store a full-sized hand truck, so this foldable tool means you can still keep it with you on the go.
The small size is great for individual buyers who opt for picking up kegs themselves instead of having them delivered. They can fold up their dolly and easily store it in their car. Then, once they arrive at the distributor, they can unfold it and quickly roll their fresh keg back to the car. To finalize the journey, they fold the hand truck once again when they leave. This process is straightforward and makes transporting kegs accessible for all sized vehicles.
This Vergo dolly is also very lightweight because it is made primarily of aluminum. Pushing a full keg is hard enough, so you don’t want added weight from a heavy dolly. Aluminum construction material ensures that you don’t have to worry about extra weight anymore. The lightweight body is excellent if you are not very strong.
Suppose a server working a busy shift at a restaurant has a guest that orders a beer. The server went to pour the brew, and the keg went out. It needs to be changed, but the strongest employee is busy. They can’t wait 15 minutes, so they need to be able to change the keg themselves. A lightweight hand truck makes changing it possible.
Another remarkable feature of this dolly is the nose plate. It is the perfect size for a keg of beer. Many hand trucks have narrow, rectangular-shaped nose plates. It can be challenging to balance a barrel-shaped keg on a structure like that. This Vergo hand truck is trapezoid-like to ensure better balance for a keg and wide enough to support even the largest ones.
This lightweight, foldable hand truck is a great way for anyone to move kegs of beer around no matter their vehicle or strength.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Folds down to a compact size to fit in any car
- Nose plate ensures optimal keg balance
Cons
- May not hold as much weight as the manufacturer claims it does
- Wheels could be improved
3. Bar Maid KPC-100 Keg And Pail Cart
- Stainless steel
- Ergonomic handle
- Non-marking wheels w/ roller bearings
This cart from Bar Maid is designed specifically to transport kegs. Most hand truck designs do not consider transporting kegs because it isn’t the most common reason to use a hand truck. The purposeful design is excellent for buyers because they purchase this item, knowing it is meant to serve a purpose. You aren’t blindly buying a hand truck that looks like it will support a keg. You are purchasing an item designed to match your exact need.
The best feature about this Bar Maid keg and pail cart is the keg hook. This mechanism slips underneath the handle of whatever barrel you want to transport. It provides the primary support while the keg is in motion. This hook ensures the keg is less likely to fall over. It is a way to secure the keg in place effortlessly.
You never know when you may need to make a sharp turn or pull a heavy keg up a staircase. The added security from this hook makes hard-to-navigate places a breeze.
Everyone will love the wheels on this Bar Maid hand truck. The tires are non-marring. Tires like these will not scratch floors or leave those pesky streaks that are hard to clean. Dirty tire tracks are the last thing restaurants want in their dining rooms. Hand trucks are supposed to make your life easier, not make you have to spend extra time cleaning up dark streaks left behind from their tires. This cart uses specially engineered tires to ensure cleanliness to matter what.
Pros
- Specifically designed to transport kegs
- Special tires will not damage the floor or leave streaks
- Kickstand included for an upright position
Cons
- The hand truck is restricted to transport only barrel-shaped objects
- May fall over when not in use
What To Look For When Shopping For A Keg Hand Truck
The three-hand trucks above are great options for moving your barrels of beer around. However, if you want to go with a different option, keep in mind the following key features.
Base Shape
The shape of the hand truck base is the most important feature to look at when you browse. Almost all kegs have a circular base, and most hand trucks have rectangular-shaped bases. It doesn’t take a geometry expert to realize that a circular-base object sitting on a narrow rectangular base might be unstable.
You want a hand truck with a rounded bottom. This kind of nose plate allows kegs to fit more securely, which means the keg is less likely to fall over while moving.
Weight Capacity
You need to be 100% positive that the dolly you buy can support a full keg. If you only plan to transport kegs, you might think you don’t need a sizable heavy-duty hand truck. However, as stated above, a full keg can weigh up to 160 pounds. This weight is heavy, so you still need a hand truck capable of holding a big load. It would be a shame to buy a dolly only to find a full keg pushes the tires down too far to move. Make a note of the weight capacity to avoid this.
Hooks
A slidable hook on the neck of the hand truck is hugely beneficial to transporting kegs. The hook can either fit underneath the handle of the keg or press down on the rim. Both types of hooks add stability. The last thing you want is for your barrel to take a tumble. A dented keg is terrible news, and hooks help prevent this tragedy from happening.
Tough Tires
Tires are one of the most vital parts of any hand truck. They can make or break the quality of this type of tool—the more durable the tire, the better. Even if you only plan to use your dolly on smooth, even surfaces, you never know when a circumstance may arise where you have to trek more challenging terrain with your keg. Strong rubber tires with high treads are a quality of the most durable hand trucks.
Make Moving Kegs Easier For You
Your back will thank you once you buy a hand truck to help you move kegs. With a hand truck, like the one from Rubbermaid, you can say goodbye to the days of heavy lifting. Whether you are a busy restaurant owner looking for a convenient way for all of your employees to change kegs or an individual who prefers to have their own draft beer at your parties, a dolly will make your life easier.
Make sure to buy a hand truck with high weight capacity, a circular-shaped base, and durable tires. It is even better if you find one with a hook. Or, take the guesswork out of it and buy one of the three-hand trucks mentioned above. Draft beer is too good to pass up because of the heavy barrel it comes in. Do yourself a favor and get a hand truck for kegs today!
Related: How Does a Thumper Keg Work?