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A dual tap kegerator answers the question every single-tap owner eventually asks: why choose? Two faucets on one tower means a hoppy option and an easy-drinking option pouring side by side, which is precisely what a mixed group of guests wants and what makes a home bar feel like a real one.
The tradeoffs are practical rather than obvious. Two taps usually means two smaller kegs instead of one half barrel, a second coupler and line to maintain, and a gas system that has to feed both kegs sensibly. This guide walks through what two taps really change, the capacity math inside the cabinet, and the dual tap units that owners keep pouring from without fuss.
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Quick Answer
Is a dual tap kegerator worth it?
- Yes, if you host groups with different tastes or want variety on draft; two sixtels give you two styles in the space of one half barrel.
- Check the interior layout: the cabinet must fit two kegs side by side with both couplers attached, which not every dual tap listing makes obvious.
- Expect a little more maintenance: two lines and two faucets on the same cleaning rhythm as one, just twice over.
One Tap or Two: What Actually Changes
The comparison is less about the tower and more about what lives below it. This is the honest ledger.
| Factor | Single tap | Dual tap |
|---|---|---|
| Variety on draft | One style at a time | Two styles pouring side by side |
| Typical keg loadout | One half barrel | Two sixtels or two Cornelius kegs; often one half barrel with a tap capped |
| Total beer on hand | More volume of one beer | Less per style, more freshness rotation |
| Gas system | One line from the regulator | Split gas line or dual-body regulator feeding both kegs |
| Cleaning workload | One line, one faucet | Two of each, same rhythm |
| Hosting flexibility | Fine for one-crowd taste | Made for mixed groups and rotating small batches |
The keg math drives everything: two sixtels fit where one half barrel sits, so dual tap is mostly a trade of volume for variety. The exact dimensions per format are in our kegerator size guide.
The Gas Side: Feeding Two Kegs From One Tank
Two kegs on one CO2 tank is normal and works well; the question is how the gas is divided. The simplest setups split one regulator output to both kegs with a tee, which means both kegs see the same pressure, fine when both beers are similar styles. A dual-body regulator or a secondary regulator lets you set different pressures per keg, which matters once the two taps pour genuinely different styles that are commonly served at different carbonation levels. Neither approach needs invented numbers from you: start from the manufacturer’s recommendation, adjust in small steps, and let the system settle between changes.
What is worth checking in a listing is whether the dual tap unit includes the second coupler and the split gas plumbing, or whether “dual tap” describes only the tower. Owners caught out by this end up ordering parts the week of a party. A complete dual package lists two couplers, two beer lines, and a gas setup that reaches both kegs.
Dual Tap Kegerators That Earn the Second Faucet
How we chose: we compared dual tap units on interior keg fit, completeness of the second dispensing line, temperature stability with two kegs loaded, and how consistently owners report both taps pouring cleanly. Selections lean on manufacturer specifications and recurring themes in customer reviews rather than any hands-on trial of our own.
One reassurance if you are torn: a dual tap unit runs happily with a single keg and the second tap capped, so you are not committing to two kegs forever, just keeping the option.
🏆 Best Overall
A full-size dual tap kegerator sold as a complete package: two couplers, two lines, dual gauge regulator, and CO2 tank. Runs two sixtels or one half barrel, from the brand that specializes in draft equipment.
💛 Best Value
A dual faucet unit at the accessible end of the category that keeps the essentials, a two-faucet tower and room for two small kegs, while trimming the frills. A sensible first dual setup.
🧪 Best for Homebrew
A dual tap kegerator configured with ball lock disconnects for two Cornelius kegs, so two of your own batches pour side by side. The standard endgame for homebrewers who keg.
Living With Two Taps
Load the cabinet deliberately: two kegs plus couplers is a snug fit in most units, so seat the kegs before connecting lines, keep the beer lines from kinking between the kegs and the tower, and confirm the door closes without pressing on a coupler handle. Label which faucet pours which beer, a small thing that saves every guest interaction, and rotate fresh kegs to the tap that empties faster.
Maintenance is the single-tap routine, doubled but not complicated: both lines cleaned between kegs or every couple of weeks, both faucets disassembled and rinsed on the same schedule, one session for the pair. Our guide to cleaning kegerator lines covers the process; with two lines, a cleaning kit that pumps solution through quickly earns its keep. And keep spare washers on hand, since twice the connections means twice the chances for a slow gas leak, which a soapy water check catches in minutes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming “dual tap” means a complete second line. Some listings ship one coupler with a two-faucet tower. Verify two couplers, two beer lines, and split gas before ordering.
- Expecting two half barrels to fit. Standard cabinets take two sixtels or Cornelius kegs side by side, not two half barrels. Check the stated dual configuration.
- Running very different styles on one shared pressure. A tee-split works for similar beers; genuinely different styles benefit from per-keg regulation.
- Cleaning one line and not the other. The slower-selling tap needs the cleaning most. Do both lines in the same session, every time.
- Forgetting the second faucet in winter or idle periods. Cap both faucets and clean both lines before any long pause, or the idle line greets you with stale beer.
- Crowding the beer lines. Kinked lines between two kegs cause foam that no pressure adjustment fixes. Route lines cleanly before closing the door.
Where to Go From Here
If you are still choosing your first unit rather than upgrading, the full field, freestanding, built-in, outdoor, and homebrew, is sorted by situation in our kegerator guide. And since most of the dependable dual tap packages come from one brand, our Kegco kegerator review looks at whether that dominance is deserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kegs fit in a dual tap kegerator? Most full-size dual tap units run two sixth barrels (sixtels) or two Cornelius kegs side by side, or a single half barrel with one tap unused. Two half barrels do not fit standard home units; see our kegerator size guide for dimensions.
Can I pour two different beers at different pressures? Yes, with a dual-body or secondary regulator that gives each keg its own pressure. A simple tee-split serves both kegs at one shared pressure, which works fine for similar styles.
Does a dual tap kegerator need two CO2 tanks? No. One tank feeds both kegs through a split gas line or a dual-body regulator. A second tank only becomes interesting for special cases like a nitrogen blend for stout-style pours.
Can I run just one keg in a dual tap unit? Yes, and it is common: cap the unused faucet, leave the second line clean and dry, and the unit behaves exactly like a single tap until you want the variety back.
Is a dual tap kegerator harder to maintain? Slightly: two lines and two faucets on the same rhythm as one, cleaned between kegs or every couple of weeks. One session covers both if you do them together.
The Bottom Line
A dual tap kegerator trades volume for variety: two sixtels of different styles where one half barrel used to sit. Buy a genuinely complete package with two couplers and split gas, label your faucets, and clean both lines in the same session. For anyone who hosts mixed company, the second tap stops being a luxury the first evening it pours.