If you've ever browsed 5L beer kegs online and thought, "Wait, what exactly is the difference between pressurised and non-pressurised kegs?"—you're not alone. It’s one of the most frequently asked questions from people upgrading their home bar setup or buying their first keg machine.

And it makes sense. Choosing the wrong keg for your beer machine can lead to a lot of frustration: beer that won’t pour, poor carbonation, or flat flavour. In this guide, we break it all down. You’ll learn what makes these keg types different, which one suits your setup, and how to make the right choice for your taste, budget, and lifestyle.

Let’s start with the basics.

What Is a Pressurised 5L Keg?

A pressurised keg is pre-carbonated and sealed with its own internal gas pressure. That means it doesn’t require any external source—like CO2 cartridges or an electric pump—to pour. It’s a self-contained system.

These kegs are essentially plug-and-play. Pop the tap, tilt the glass, and pour. You’ll find pressurised kegs from several well-known beer brands on the market, including:

• Heineken

• Desperados

• Affligem

• Lagunitas

These brands often use Heineken’s proprietary keg technology, which is designed for convenience and simplicity.

Pros of Pressurised Kegs

• No CO2 cartridges required

• Beginner-friendly setup

• Good for casual drinkers or party setups

• Less equipment required (many can be poured without a machine)

Cons of Pressurised Kegs

• Limited brand variety (mostly big-name beer brands)

• Not refillable or reusable

• Usually not compatible with most 3rd-party beer machines

Pressurised kegs are perfect for people who want a quick, no-fuss beer experience—especially for parties or spontaneous get-togethers. But they come with some limitations, especially if you’re into craft beer or want to explore imported European brews.

What Is a Non-Pressurised 5L Keg?

Non-pressurised kegs, on the other hand, require external CO2 or a built-in beer machine pump to push the beer out. These kegs are typically used by smaller breweries, importers, and craft beer producers.

At DraftProducts, most of our premium European 5L kegs—like Waldhaus Diplom Pils, Abbaye des Prémontrés, and Noirade—fall into this category.

To pour from these kegs, you'll need a compatible beer dispenser like the H.Koenig BW1880 or H.Koenig BW1890. The good news? Our machines come with CO2 cartridges included, so you're ready to go straight out of the box.

Pros of Non-Pressurised Kegs

• Supports a wide range of European and craft beer brands

• Higher quality, unfiltered, and small-batch brews

• Reusable with proper cleaning and care

• Pairs perfectly with high-end beer machines

Cons of Non-Pressurised Kegs

• Requires a CO2-compatible beer machine

• Slightly more setup involved

• Can’t pour without the proper system

These kegs are ideal if you want to go beyond mass-market beer and explore more authentic, flavorful options. With the right machine, pouring from a non-pressurised keg becomes second nature—and the taste is worth the setup.

Which Keg Type Should You Choose?

Here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your ideal keg type depends on how you plan to drink, who you’re serving, and what kind of beer experience you’re after.

Choose Pressurised Kegs If:

• You’re hosting large parties or need easy prep

• You prefer familiar brands like Heineken or Desperados

• You want minimal equipment and setup

• You don’t plan to invest in a beer machine (just use the built-in tap)

Choose Non-Pressurised Kegs If:

• You want access to a wider range of premium beers

• You’re building a home bar and want better control over pour quality

• You already have (or plan to buy) a CO2 beer machine

• You enjoy craft, unfiltered, or imported brews from Germany or France

If you want a long-term, upgradeable beer experience, go non-pressurised. If you want simplicity for the occasional gathering, pressurised might be enough.

Compatibility Guide: Machines vs Keg Types

To help make things even clearer, here’s a compatibility chart based on common scenarios:

Want plug-and-play? Pressurised is for you. Want versatility and quality? Non-pressurised with a good machine is the way to go.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Buy Blind

Most people buy their first 5L keg without realising how big the difference is between pressurised and non-pressurised models. And that often leads to poor results—flat pours, leaky taps, or incompatible machines.

But now you know better.

If you’re after premium European beer with traditional brewing methods, you’ll want to shop our full 5L keg collection. Pair it with one of our beer machines and you’ll never look back.

We’ve designed all our bundles to be beginner-friendly and frustration-proof. CO2 is included. Setup guides come with every machine. And our team is always here to help if you need it.

Your perfect pour is just a keg away.

Shop now to get next-day delivery across the UK—and enjoy the draught beer experience the way it was meant to be.