Loacal Yard Cleanup Leads To 4 Free Kegs, What do do with them?

[NeoBrew]

So, I was doing some much needed cleanup around the house and took some old TV's and fluorescent lamps to my City's cleanup day. It was nice to get rid of some old stuff. And then it happened...

The guy in front of me opened his hatchback and there were 3 sixtels and a 15 gallon sanke keg just sitting there. I was so distracted I got in and started to drive with the gate of my trailer still down! When I got out to close the gate, the temptation was just too much. ..."You gonna get rid of those?"

"Yeap", He said, "You want them?".

The SWMBO was not going to be happy. But come ON! They were free!

So, now what to do with them? They are all branded. The three sixtels are in good shape, but I have no use for them. The 15 gallon is in decent shape too, but obviously older. It actually has a magic marker circle on the top where someone was going to cut it out. I have been thinking about converting from BIAB to three vessel, so the sanke keg is looking pretty good as a kettle.

What do you think? What should I do with them? Could I just return them and get the deposit? I've never bought commercial beer in a keg, can I just walk in and get the deposit back? If it was $30 each I would be a long way toward a shinny new kettle without all the work of the conversion.

What would the wise HombeBrew Talk community advise?

 

[NeoBrew]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1463863082.371673.jpg

 

[day_trippr]

Take 'em all back and get the deposits.
Plus you'll score some points with the Spousal Unit in the offing...

Cheers!

 

[NeoBrew]

I decided I would take them back and try to get the deposit. It's not proving as easy as one would think.

I had assumed the "system" would be eager to trade a valuable keg for the small deposit they were holding. I've tried a couple of stores so far. The first thing they ask for is paperwork. Instead I gave them my story, but it was returned with a squinty look like stole them. The nice man at the Total Wine suggested I contact the distributor. He even hooked me up with the name of our local distributor which happens to handle both New Belgium and Anchor. I gave them a call Wednesday. The person who answered didn't know what to tell me, but diligently took down my info to get and answer and call me back. I've not heard a thing.

In the end I've decided I'll give the kegs back to the breweries without the deposit if need be. How can I be pro-brewer and take their kegs? However, it seems to me that someone along the way paid a deposit into the system, and I sure wouldn't mind claiming it for my help in returning them.

I'll let you all know how it turns out.