Used kegs - what's legal?

[Kbrotherman]

I'm puzzled on the used keg market:

First off, if a customer pays their deposit and does not return the keg, can they take legal ownership in exchange for their deposit or do most rental agreements say there is no condition where ownership is transferred? Would anyone please share what their rental agreement says about this?

Also, if kegs marked with an existing brewery's name are for sale by someone not from that brewery, what scenario would make this leagal? Am I missing something?

Thanks for your input - sounds like keg loss is a real nightmare at the current SST prices!
Kevin

[Captain Mullet]

It is true that the stainless steel scrap price grew from $0.90 to $1.50 between Feburary and July of this year fetching upwards of $60 for a half barrel. With some of the scrap dealer I have talked to about this most would not take barrels because of the fact it is stealing. In early July the scrap price dropped to around $0.30 a pound, making it a lot less profitable for the thief.
I would start up a relationship between the brewery and the scrap yard, give them a call and ask them about the problem. Scrapper do like beer and they have a great network of people that they work with.....

my 2 cents

[Larry Horwitz]

a keg deposit in no way constitutes a transfer of ownership...it is just that, a deposit. The real value of a keg is somewhere in the $100+ range even for used kegs and anyone who claims ownership of a keg they paid a deposit on is stealing. No question.

If you are being offered kegs with some elses name on them call the brewery in question, they'll tell you. This is a HUGE problem in our industry and a great argument for higher deposits.