Pressure Barrels

[mchansen]

Hi

Maybe stupid question but, what is the difference (advantage) between a buttom tap and a top tap pressure barrel

Ulrich

Ps Maybe the wrong forum, please move if so.

[Jim]

With a top tap you can dispence beer with the barrel on the floor; with a bottom tap there's no room to get the glass in, so you have to have it on a bench.

There is a disadvantage to the top tap, which is that you need a certain amount of CO2 pressure to force the beer upwards to the tap.

[mchansen]

Thanks Jim

Cos I just started my next brew and I think I will kegg rather than bottle it.

Ulrich

[Jim]

Thanks Jim

Cos I just started my next brew and I think I will kegg rather than bottle it.

Ulrich

It's much less work!

This thread should be in brewing equipment, really, so I'll shift it.

[mchansen]

Thanks Jim

But how does the beer keep in the warm because I do not have a fridge to keep a pressure barrel

I don't expect it to stay long in the barrel before it's drunk

[Parva]

You may be at a slight advantage with a top-tap as you'll be able to put the keg into a sink of ice-water an hour or two prior to drinking with a top tap though obviously you'll need gas of some sort. It was also my impression that top taps with the 'float' system dispensed clearer beer as you are taking the beer from the top and not near the bottom where the sediment is but I could be wrong.

[pantsmachine]

My wife found a 2nd hand top tap king keg for me the other month in the local papers. I gas it up with the 1 shot all pressure or none 8g soda siphon bulbs, only used 1 so far and theres only a gallon of beer left in the barrel so i know the seals are good. Beer comes out clear, i don't mind drinking it at ambient temp but in saying that my wife is on the look out for a 2nd hand fridge so the keg can go in there.

[Jim]

Thanks Jim

But how does the beer keep in the warm because I do not have a fridge to keep a pressure barrel

I don't expect it to stay long in the barrel before it's drunk

My own experience is that if a barrel of beer gets very warm (in the region of 25C) for any length of time, it will accelerate the staling process. But the main problem is that it's undrinkable at that temperature. Putting a few glasses in the freezer for a few hours helps, but only if the beer's at 18C or so - any warmer and it still tastes crap.

Bottles don't seem to suffer in the same way, plus you can chill them easily before drinking, so if you need to have beer available in the hot weather, you need a barrel-sized fridge or stick to bottles.

[pantsmachine]

For barrel chilling my beer i still use a 10ltr beer machine in the fridge in the garage. I don't brew in it now its purely for chilling and carbonation. Its good for 15psi and the relief valve lifts at about 12psi. Its got a pressure gauge,8g co2 sparklet fill point and a tap. Its ace for its purpose and it splits down for cleaning. See below for example, oh aye and its designed to fit in a standard fridge with load of room left over.

Linky

[mchansen]

Thanks

So as far as I can understand most of you pref a top tap with a float system, I think I will give that a try, as we are also going towards the colder time of year.

I keep my brew in my sheed/workshop (4x4meters) I can always turn the heater down and put on a jumper when working out there.

[TC2642]

Thanks

So as far as I can understand most of you pref a top tap with a float system, I think I will give that a try, as we are also going towards the colder time of year.

I keep my brew in my sheed/workshop (4x4meters) I can always turn the heater down and put on a jumper when working out there.

I prefer the bottom tap system but I was always a little bit wary of the float coming off or not working properly when I moved the keg. I usually stick mine under the stairs where there's a quite constant cool temp.

[Jim]

I've never used a top tap barrel, but I've read many more threads on here about people having problems with them than with the bottom tap variety.

[Stonechat]

I've never used a top tap barrel, but I've read many more threads on here about people having problems with them than with the bottom tap variety.

The float system in a top tap is something more to clean and to malfunction. They are slightly more expensive and require a lot more CO2 gas to push the beer out.
The only meaningful advantage is being able to put them on the floor if you have no bench or table space. The thing about the float collecting clearer beer more quickly will appeal to the saddos who can't wait the 3 to 4 weeks for the beer to drop bright.
I have had 2 top tap King Kegs. One went back to the HBS for a swap for a bottom tap one (it was faulty) and the other got sawn in half to go in the wheely bin I'd never think of getting another

[mchansen]

Ok I get mixed feelings here, but I think I will try and go for the Top Tap

Thanks