Brewing Master

Question:

Should I invest in a keg system?

    If you have the space for a fridge, I’d say most certainly, but don’t throw that bottling stuff in the trash! I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.

    I just bottled my first whole batch, an imperial stout that I hope to keep hidden until around next September. I kegged my first 10, and I tell ya i feel your pain.     I was lucky to have a friend who was a Pepsi service man and he gave me the CO2 bottle and several other pieces. The rest of what I needed I got from e-bay. In my 2-tap fridge I may have $60, but I’m bragging.   My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.

    That price sounds pretty good actually, not having to pay any shipping. I would try to get him to swap the party tap(cobra head?) to a shank and brass tap for a fridge. There are a few brewers on the group that go the route of the cobra head, and use a cooler to serve from, or even open a fridge door every time they need a fill. This may be a good way to get started and spread the $$ out a little, get the fridge tap later. The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Hmmmm, clean and sanitize one container vs. 50,…..filling one container vs. 50,….put one lid on vs. capping 50 bottles,… One downside is having to go through the rigamoroue to take your brew away from home, but there are solutions to this also, as I’m sure our more learned brewers will tell. Kegging all the way for me. Hope this helped, Ken

Response:

Problems? I think it’s all relative. I wonder, though, if you’ll find a contributor here who has ever gone back to bottling. You must be willing to invest the not inconsiderable expense, since, as Mr. Uchima mentioned, you’ll need another fridge (get a clunker from the thrifty classifieds). I guess the price you’ve been quoted for a starter setup is ok, but you’ll not stop spending with that purchase. You’ll immediately be buying more kegs– think ebay or RCB. You’ll need another tap or two or three to install in the side or front of your new fridge. Those are musts! The "party tap" doesn’t get it in the real world. I have this horrible habit of buying regulators on ebay– I think I have six with four more on the way. (I get such great deals though!) You’ll maybe be building a jockey box and getting some three gallon cornies and anther co2 tank so you can take your "life support system" on the road with you– otherwise you’re trapped at home forever! But you can throw away the bottle tree and capper. I always promise to bottle a few for distant friends while I’m kegging each weekend, but  I never seem to get around to it. The tap handle is just to easy to pull!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

Should I invest in a keg system?  

Safer than the stock market lately. I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.

Hmmm, have you checked under your workbench in the garage? That’s where mine usually is. My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.

Sounds about right, assuming it includes a 2-gauge regulator. That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  

It is too easy. What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  

I’d say one of the biggest reasons people don’t keg is that it pretty much requires a dedicated fridge. So you need to have the space in your home, as well as a cooperative SO. The only other problem is that it then becomes a bit of a hassel if you want to bottle some beer for competitions. But it’s not really difficult. If you’ve got the cash, and a place for an extra fridge, just do it.

Response:

" I’d say one of the biggest reasons people don’t keg is that it pretty much requires a dedicated fridge. So you need to have the space in your home, as well as a cooperative SO.

Cooperative SO? I don’t think mine even knows we have a garage!

Response:

Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

I just kegged my first keg-batch Sunday.  The price you’re getting sounds a little bit high to me — I got the same for about $20 less.  Now that I know a bit more, I think I could do it for another $20 less, or better.  Get the hoses, hose clamps, disconnects, tap, keg lube and new o-rings from your LHBS.  For the keg, CO2 tank and regulator, check out eBay and online retailers.  I think I saw a 20lb CO2 tank on eBay a while back — if I didn’t already have a 5-lb-er I’d want one of those. The "hidden problems" I’ve found is just not knowing what to expect or why it does what it does.  For example (I posted about this a few days ago), a day after pushing the CO2 in, I tapped one off and it was a big mug of foam. Thought it might be a problem in the dispensing line length, but my advice from this list was to wait a few more days.  That worked — yesterday it tapped perfectly. Then this morning, I check the regulator and find to my horror that it’s down to 5 PSI.  A leak somewhere, I suppose (it’s been in there enough days that I don’t think it’s a matter of CO2 going into solution — then again, what do I know?). When I upped the pressure (see, I had the tank turned off — why have it on and lose it all to a leak?), the release valve showed signs of leakage. I had had a problem with it when I first kegged due to stupidly trying to bleed off the headspace when my CO2 disconnect was attached to the "out" line (to send the gas thru the beer from the bottom, which is a good idea, but not until after you’ve purged the air in the keg).  Obviously, beer shot out of the valve and continued to sputter a bit.  It stopped, but I was never quite confident in it. So I replaced the whole valve set-up with one from another keg.  If I still have a problem, I’ll remove it and clean where the stopper sits (maybe it got sticky and gunked from that first mistake).  Could be that I got the valve units from different kegs switched (I cleaned three at once, two of the same exact style and parts); with an old keg it might be the case that the parts have sort of grown into each other — best to keep them together. When I tapped off this keg later on, I got foam again.  Not totally sure why.  I suppose I went about halfway back to square one with that drop in pressure. Then again, like I said before, what do I know?  That said, the big "hidden problem" is, like anything else totally new to you, that you don’t know what you’re doing and need to learn a whole lot.  It’s a dramatically easier process in comparision to bottling, but you need a ton of know-how. —- Eric J. Scheidler —- Oak Park, Illinois —- USENET: "It’s an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege."       – Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire (1996)

Response:

Should I invest in a keg system?

It depends.  It is all the frills that drive up the cost. Others already posted about all that. I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.

Kegging will not fix a sanitation problem.  There is really only one way to screw up a batch of beer if you have a decent recipe to start with.  That is sanitation.  Either sanitation of the equipment, or of the brewing area. With that in mind, the keg will need to be cleaned and cared for very well. If you screw up sanitation on one bottle, you loose 12 ounces.  If you screw it up on a keg, you loose 5 gallons. Recheck sanitation, and get those kegs Cheers, Mike

Response:

– Unless you go nuts like Mike D. with a bazillion-keg tap system, you will probably have less variety of beers on hand at any given time.

I didn’t do it overnight.  It evolved.  Actually, it all started when I got an upright freezer with removable shelves and found with a homemade shelf it could hold 8 5-gallon kegs, and 2 3-gallon kegs.  All for the grand total of $35 plus the cost of the temp controller. So I didn’t really go nuts, slightly frenzied perhaps Cheers, Mike

Response:

Kegging will usually cause your alcohol consumption to increase, you will put on weight and you will become very lazy, but are these really problems? —  Dan Listermann Check out our E-tail site at http://www.listermann.com Take a look at the anti-telemarketer forum.  It is my new hobby!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

One downside is having to go through the rigamoroue to take your brew away from home, but there are solutions to this also, as I’m sure our more learned brewers will tell.

I would say this is not a downside.  I simply fill a clean 2L plastic bottle from the tap, and screw on the cap.  Instant six-pack! Brian P.

Response:

One downside is having to go through the rigamoroue to take your brew away from home, but there are solutions to this also, as I’m sure our more learned brewers will tell. I would say this is not a downside.  I simply fill a clean 2L plastic bottle from the tap, and screw on the cap.  Instant six-pack!

I got some Growlers from e-bay, that were provided by the guy who owned Growlers Online (now defunct).  He also set me up with some parka’s for them.  Very nice guy.  Cool growlers.  People at homebrew meetings and parties are in awe when you pull it out.  You can see them at http://www.koch-usa.com/growlers/products/index.html Cheers, Mike

Response:

Growlers are wonderful.  I simply got a larger stopper for my counter pressure filler, and I fill 2 or 3 of my growlers and take them to parties. MUCH better than 16 or 22 oz bottles.  Easier to clean, and people really are in awe when you pull out this massive 2L bottle full of home brew. Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One downside is having to go through the rigamoroue to take your brew away from home, but there are solutions to this also, as I’m sure our more learned brewers will tell. I would say this is not a downside.  I simply fill a clean 2L plastic bottle from the tap, and screw on the cap.  Instant six-pack! I got some Growlers from e-bay, that were provided by the guy who owned Growlers Online (now defunct).  He also set me up with some parka’s for them.  Very nice guy.  Cool growlers.  People at homebrew meetings and parties are in awe when you pull it out.  You can see them at http://www.koch-usa.com/growlers/products/index.html Cheers, Mike

Response:

can anybody here recomend those 6 liter fridge mini-keg’s i saw somewhere, i think there was talk of them here about a week ago. Is this a decent space saving option? THE END JLK

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

can anybody here recomend those 6 liter fridge mini-keg’s i saw somewhere, i think there was talk of them here about a week ago. Is this a decent space saving option?

I think it is a good option.  Everyone has their limitations, and if space is one, something smaller could be better.  Dan uses them and has some gadgets for use with them. Cheers, Mike

Response:

All the beer I drink at the house is from 5 liter mini kegs.  SWMBO doesn’t object at an intolerable level to their presence in the family fridge.  Let me know if you have questions.  We  make a real nice tap for them. —  Dan Listermann Check out our E-tail site at http://www.listermann.com Take a look at the anti-telemarketer forum.  It is my new hobby!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – can anybody here recomend those 6 liter fridge mini-keg’s i saw somewhere, i think there was talk of them here about a week ago. Is this a decent space saving option? THE END JLK Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

" I’d say one of the biggest reasons people don’t keg is that it pretty much requires a dedicated fridge. So you need to have the space in your home, as well as a cooperative SO. Cooperative SO? I don’t think mine even knows we have a garage!

An ignorant SO might be even better

Response:

Not if you’re already a fat, lazy, drunk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kegging will usually cause your alcohol consumption to increase, you will put on weight and you will become very lazy, but are these really problems? —  Dan Listermann Check out our E-tail site at http://www.listermann.com Take a look at the anti-telemarketer forum.  It is my new hobby! Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get  me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on  the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

I didn’t do it overnight.  It evolved.  Actually, it all started when I got an upright freezer with removable shelves and found with a homemade shelf it could hold 8 5-gallon kegs, and 2 3-gallon kegs.  All for the grand total of $35 plus the cost of the temp controller.

Mike,         Do you have any problems with sanitation?  I was thinking about doing a more conservative setup (4 taps are all I can afford, for now) but am cocerned about keeping the beer sound.  How often do you clean/flush the taps and how long bfore the beer spoils?  Bottles are sealed so I can keep them forever (although nothing in my house lasts more than 5 years so far, and it’s only strong ales I dare keep that long) but a tapped keg seems like it would be more "open" to contamination. Warren Place

Response:

" Do you have any problems with sanitation? No more or less difficult with kegs that any other part of brewing.  I was thinking about doing a more conservative setup (4 taps are all I can afford, for now) but am cocerned about keeping the beer sound.  How often do you clean/flush the taps

About once a week if I think about it, sometimes every 2 weeks.  So far no problems I take the taps apart and brush them clean every 2nd or 3rd flushing.  and how long bfore the beer spoils?  Bottles are sealed so I can keep them forever

I have a 4 month old ale on tap still tasting great.  (No I do not want to discuss why I have 4 month old beer around!) (although nothing in my house lasts more than 5 years so far, and it’s only strong ales I dare keep that long) but a tapped keg seems like it would be more "open" to contamination.

Keep it sealed and pressurized and you have no problems. DaveG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Do you have any problems with sanitation?  I was thinking about doing a more conservative setup (4 taps are all I can afford, for now) but am cocerned about keeping the beer sound.  How often do you clean/flush the taps and how long bfore the beer spoils?  Bottles are sealed so I can keep them forever (although nothing in my house lasts more than 5 years so far, and it’s only strong ales I dare keep that long) but a tapped keg seems like it would be more "open" to contamination.

I skipped the tap in the door route.  I bought most of the stuff for that, but the bugs tend to like to crawl up in the tap, and they become gummy if you don’t use them every day. I have cobra heads, and now use a bottle cooler which holds 13 kegs.  I just slide open the door, grab the cobra head, and dispense the beer.  I am lazy, and I usually rinse the head from time to time, but I don’t clean the lines until the keg blows.  I also have a two keg kegorator in the house.  I do clean the faucets on it about every 2 weeks or so, or if I have not dispensed a beer in a few days.  I don’t clean the lines except when I put in a new keg, but I should, and I have the cleaner.  I have changed the lines for new ones twice, hose in 100′ coils is only about $0.18 a foot.  I might purchase 500′ next time, so I never have to order again Cheers, Mike

Response:

I have a spare dispensing system (regulator, connectors, and CO2 tank), so going mobile with a 5 gallon cornie isn’t much of a problem.  I guess there is one problem: if I take 5 gallons of beer to a party, my friends will drink all of it!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One downside is having to go through the rigamoroue to take your brew away from home, but there are solutions to this also, as I’m sure our more learned brewers will tell. I would say this is not a downside.  I simply fill a clean 2L plastic bottle from the tap, and screw on the cap.  Instant six-pack! Brian P.

Response:

I have a spare dispensing system (regulator, connectors, and CO2 tank), so going mobile with a 5 gallon cornie isn’t much of a problem.  I guess there is one problem: if I take 5 gallons of beer to a party, my friends will drink all of it!

Is there a safety concern with transporting a full CO2 tank?  I assume you remove the regulator cage and all… do you just toss the tank in the trunk, or do you have any special packaging for it?  I have been considering taking some beer on the road for the upcoming New Years’ party.  But having a missile in the car (in case of accident or whatever) isn’t a very appealing thought.  It’s a 4 hour drive to our vacation destination, so it’s perhaps more of a concern than just driving across town with it. – David

Response:

I drive about 1800 miles a year with my setup. (2 round trips from N to S California) I just strap it upright to the side of the truck bed along with the kegs. I don’t even take the regulator off but it isn’t a bad idea. I would suggest strapping it somehow just so it isn’t rolling around banging into stuff. Plus if you do get into an accident you don’t want it flying at you. I wouldn’t worry too much though, I was in an accident where we were rear ended with a nitrous system in the trunk. The back end completely crumpled but the tank stayed intact. Tough little containers they are.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a spare dispensing system (regulator, connectors, and CO2 tank), so going mobile with a 5 gallon cornie isn’t much of a problem.  I guess there is one problem: if I take 5 gallons of beer to a party, my friends will drink all of it! Is there a safety concern with transporting a full CO2 tank?  I assume you remove the regulator cage and all… do you just toss the tank in the trunk, or do you have any special packaging for it?  I have been considering taking some beer on the road for the upcoming New Years’ party.  But having a missile in the car (in case of accident or whatever) isn’t a very appealing thought.  It’s a 4 hour drive to our vacation destination, so it’s perhaps more of a concern than just driving across town with it. – David

Response:

Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

IMO, the only real downsides are: – You need a dedicated fridge to keep the keg(s) chilled for serving. – Unless you go nuts like Mike D. with a bazillion-keg tap system, you will probably have less variety of beers on hand at any given time. I just recently moved into a bigger house, with a bar in the rec room. My goal is to set up a draft system capable of handling 2-3 kegs, and switch to kegging most of my "session" beers… I’ll probably continue to bottle the higher gravity, and slightly "unusual" stuff. — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

Response:

Gerry, The one big disadvantage to kegs is the fridge space they require.  If you have the extra fridge or chest freezer, then go for it.  You might want to shop around for a better price on the system.  If you’re not sure you want to jump in and commit the $179, why not get a cartridge injector?  This is a gas dispenser that uses 12 gram CO2 cartriges to pressurize the keg.  You won’t be force carbonating with it, but its only $20 for the ball-lock version.  (Williams Brewing) Used kegs can go for around $12 online. (will need new o-rings).  Aside from having to get the picnic tap and diptube brush, the only other "hidden" problem you will face is more free time to drink your beer, so you may have to brew more often Joe

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Should I invest in a keg system?  I hate bottling and lost my entire last batch for reasons no one can explain.  My local supplier says he can get me started (5lb CO2 (new), Carny keg (used), all fittings, tubing and a party tap) for about $179.  That price seems about right from all the stuff on the internet.  The whole process just seems TOO easy.  What are the hidden problems and faults with kegging?  Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Gerry

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