Tap-a-draft

[neilos]

So, Getting back into kit brewing after 4 years away. I've ordered a Tap-a-draft system from Wilko for £45 (CO2 cartridges only £2.99 for 10!) as I really don't want to bottle this time around.
Has anybody got any experience with these? I understand that you can get improved caps as well as ones that have pressure release valve fitted......

[Marcuswarren71]

I got the ibrew lager kit which comes with 2 x 6l bottles, it was my first attempt at brewing and I was disappointed with the results, after that I switched to bottling. I have used the tap a draft when I run low on bottles, I put some coopers Australian lager in one and it was much better than the ibrew stuff, goes through co2 though, I primed the beer as well and it worked better

[rootsbrew]

I do quite like this. Had one for a couple of months. The oversized lemonade bottle is about the right size to keep in a fridge. Therefore, without having to have a specific keg-chiller, there's cold, fresh draft beer ready to drink!

There are a couple of design faults but nothing too major. Main negative is the rate at which it consumes 8g CO2 bulbs. Maybe there's a leak in the tap mechanism? I'm going though about 4 - 6 bulbs per 6 litre bottle - would be interested to know how many bulbs people get through for a standard pressure-keg.

[Rookie]

I do quite like this. Had one for a couple of months. The oversized lemonade bottle is about the right size to keep in a fridge. Therefore, without having to have a specific keg-chiller, there's cold, fresh draft beer ready to drink!

There are a couple of design faults but nothing too major. Main negative is the rate at which it consumes 8g CO2 bulbs. Maybe there's a leak in the tap mechanism? I'm going though about 4 - 6 bulbs per 6 litre bottle - would be interested to know how many bulbs people get through for a standard pressure-keg.

How long does one last you?
The new version uses one 16g bulb and is improved over the older ones. I just filled mine for the first time last week when I kegged, and bottled, a three gallon batch of hellesbock. I've had two of the older ones for several years.

[rootsbrew]

Maybe the importer were palmed off with all the old versions. In the UK only the 8g version is available.

Alternatively, I'm doing something wrong. Once about 1 litre has been dispensed, the flow rate goes to a trickle. Also, I didn't have any for a week and the same happened. Pretty sure the line is clear because there's very little sediment and I've rinsed the line between re-attaching the tap.

[aamcle]

I had one, still have a few of the bottles get the caps that seal properly and follow this :-

http://hbd.org/cdp/3lkeg/3lkeg.htm

Good luck.

Aamcle

[rootsbrew]

Mmm. Seems like the whole tap unit is what's causing the loss of pressure - if I hold the tap together when charging unit with a fresh bulb, it's quiet otherwise it hisses loads.

Thanks for heads up on DIY tap. I'll look into getting the parts.