Brewing Master

Question:

I use mini-kegs when I know I’m making beer for a party. Typically, I’ll make 5 gallons, fill a couple of kegs and bottle the rest. I don’t use a CO2 system – I use an air pump because, like I noted, I use these at parties and the beer has a tendency to disappear <G. William’s Brewing makes a very interesting party keg dispenser that allows you to use air, CO2 cartridges or a CO2 tank! If you’re gonna be dispensing a lot of kegs, this might be a way to go. I’ve also used a plastic (and relatively cheap) "Bierzapfer" tap with good success. –Randy

Response:

I’ve seen those mini kegs systems in catalogs (you know the type with the 4 small metal containers and the CO2 dispenser), anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the money?

I got a 5L mini-keg setup with a CO2 tap for Christmas, and while I have only used them once I really liked how they worked.  Much faster to fill 4 mini kegs than all those bottles, and the carbonation seems to be less harsh.  It had much finer bubbles and much better head retention.  With only one batch so far it is hard to tell if that was from the kegs or the beer itself… Get the CO2 tap instead of the air pump, you can keep your beer in the keg in the fridge for quite some time with the CO2 setup.  If you get the air pump then you have to drink the keg pretty fast to keep it from going stale… Kevin

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I haven’t tried the mini kegs, but I do use and reccomend the "Party Pig". It hold 2.5 gal, easily fits in fridge, and beer stays fresh for a long time. It doesn’t allow air to enter the chamber, and you don’t need co2. I was a little aprehensive at first, but now I have several. Whenever I bottle, I half a batch in the pig and the rest in bottles. That way I have a "current daily beer" for consumptiuon until the pig is empty, and a variety in bottles at all times. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve seen those mini kegs systems in catalogs (you know the type with the 4 small metal containers and the CO2 dispenser), anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the money? Thanks Mark Melendez

Response:

I’ve seen those mini kegs systems in catalogs (you know the type with the 4 small metal containers and the CO2 dispenser), anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the money? Thanks Mark Melendez

Response:

I do not own a mini keg system but have used a friends.  They are great for parties and for those who do not finish a full keg before it goes stale.  From what I have seen this is an occation where it pays to buy the better systems as the cheaper systems will allow the beer to go stale sooner (airation???).  Also, if you do not have a seperate fridge for your keg system these little kegs will fit in your kitchen fridge. Shane – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve seen those mini kegs systems in catalogs (you know the type with the 4 small metal containers and the CO2 dispenser), anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth the money? Thanks Mark Melendez

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