Im very knew to home brewing (a matter of weeks) and planned to stay away from kegs after a friend said their beer was always better from bottles, but it turned out he had a simple plastic container.
Someone else has told me their beer was always better from a pressurised keg (compared to bottles). It does seem appealing to have no bottles (so less cleaning) and impressing friends with a proper tap, and potentially nicer beer.
What are peoples thoughts on using kegs? The Cornelius keg seems popular, but Ive seen them for sale from 50 quid up to 100s and I wouldn't know what options and adapters I needed...
Consensus on pressurised kegs?
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MightyMouth
The consensus seems to be nobody can agree. Best thing would be to try it and see. My take on it is even if bottling does make it taste a little better the ease of kegging (in a Cornelius keg) makes it my choice. I have only just started brewing but the way I see it is it should be enjoyable and bottling 40 pints does not seem enjoyable to me. As I am using Cornelius kegs which only hold 4 gallons I still have to bottle a few which I don't mind when its only 8 of the things but I wouldn't choose to do 40 unless I was going to give them as gifts or something.
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DEV
Everyone has their own prefered way.
personally I put mine into the white standard pressure barrells which hold the full brew, so cleaning and transfer is alot easier and quicker to do.
When its conditioned and you start using the beer you may have to add gas to the top of the barrell to get the beer out through the bottom tap.
I connect mine to a Handpull beer engine, and pull the beer out that way and hav'nt needed any gas on my brews, Before connecting a new barrel just pull clean water and a cleaning solution through the line, just like they do in the pubs ( ha ha ). a perfect pint every time. Barrells about £18 in wilkos, beer engines on ebay from about £25 upwards or you may be able to get one from your local.
cheers
personally I put mine into the white standard pressure barrells which hold the full brew, so cleaning and transfer is alot easier and quicker to do.
When its conditioned and you start using the beer you may have to add gas to the top of the barrell to get the beer out through the bottom tap.
I connect mine to a Handpull beer engine, and pull the beer out that way and hav'nt needed any gas on my brews, Before connecting a new barrel just pull clean water and a cleaning solution through the line, just like they do in the pubs ( ha ha ). a perfect pint every time. Barrells about £18 in wilkos, beer engines on ebay from about £25 upwards or you may be able to get one from your local.
cheers
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CyberPaddy66
Glad you posted this but I'm confused as to how you connect your pump to your barrel, any chance of a pic?DEV wrote:Everyone has their own prefered way.
personally I put mine into the white standard pressure barrells which hold the full brew, so cleaning and transfer is alot easier and quicker to do.
When its conditioned and you start using the beer you may have to add gas to the top of the barrell to get the beer out through the bottom tap.
I connect mine to a Handpull beer engine, and pull the beer out that way and hav'nt needed any gas on my brews, Before connecting a new barrel just pull clean water and a cleaning solution through the line, just like they do in the pubs ( ha ha ). a perfect pint every time. Barrells about £18 in wilkos, beer engines on ebay from about £25 upwards or you may be able to get one from your local.
cheers
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mysterio
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EYE JAY
pop down your local hbs and pick up a basic barrel with a s30 valve on.
should cost within the region of £20.
Cheap to buy maintain ect ect.
If it does not work out then go back to bottles and it hasn't broke the bank.
If it goes well the by all means upgrade to the corny route (If you want)
or a king keg.
should cost within the region of £20.
Cheap to buy maintain ect ect.
If it does not work out then go back to bottles and it hasn't broke the bank.
If it goes well the by all means upgrade to the corny route (If you want)
or a king keg.
I've done that several times, good for parties, everyone loves pulling their own pints. it's simply a length of correct diameter hose onto the beer engine one end and onto the barrel tap the other, secured with a hose clip/jubilee clip at each end, you need to loosen the cap of the barrel which can lead to quick oxidation unless you hook up a breather of some descriptionCyberPaddy66 wrote: Glad you posted this but I'm confused as to how you connect your pump to your barrel, any chance of a pic?
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DEV
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drbell
Thanks for all the replies. I am certainly tempted. I'd definitely want to go the pressured route I think, unless just using it for a BBQ where it will all go very quickly. I like the idea of being able to have very clear beer without sediment too, even if I then bottle it to give to people as gifts. (This would work fine wouldn't it?)
One question I do have, is that when bottling you have to leave the beer in the bottles for several weeks. Is this only to add the fizz, or is does it also help the flavour - in other words when using a pressurised keg, even though it will be fizzy in a day or two, should I leave it longer to mature?
Thanks, Dave
One question I do have, is that when bottling you have to leave the beer in the bottles for several weeks. Is this only to add the fizz, or is does it also help the flavour - in other words when using a pressurised keg, even though it will be fizzy in a day or two, should I leave it longer to mature?
Thanks, Dave
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MightyMouth
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drbell
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MightyMouth