Dark Farm Mini Keg and C02 dispenser - 15% Discount

[peebee]

Is it possible to do a closed transfer to one of these from a corny?

I'll give instructions for a growler fitted with Corny keg style disconnects. If you have the "other" sort (like in Dutto's piccies) you'll faff about with hose clips to get the hoses attached to growler, and the hoses will need valves fitting to close them when filling - easier having the caps with disconnect posts! Disconnect caps are available separately (but not cheap). What you need is:

1. Length of hose (about a meter) with two "beer out" disconnects attached each end. This is the "transfer hose".
2. Short length of hose (translucent is handy) with "gas in" disconnect on one end, simple tap (like a JG one) attached to other end. (You can just use the pressure relief valve on the growler, but a tube with tap is more relaxing).

Clean growler and fit with tap/gas-in cap. Take gas line off Corny full of beer and fit to growler; this will pressurise the growler to same pressure as keg (purging the growler with CO2 isn't really necessary). Take gas line off growler and put back on keg. Fit "transfer hose" to growler, also fit gas hose (with closed tap on end). Fit other end of "transfer hose" to Corny keg (the beer shouldn't flow because the pressure in each keg is the same). Crack open the valve on the growler's gas line to let the gas out and the growler fill with beer (or tweak open the PRV, but you'll have to hang onto the PRV until filled hence the extra hose with valve is handy). Don't rush filling or you'll probably have a growler full of froth; it should take about 5 minutes to fill a 5L growler. You'll see beer enter the gas-out tube when full at which point close the valve (if using the PRV beer will start spluttering out of it so let PRV go!). Remove all the hoses and off you go!

When serving fit the tap first and just pour out a bit to ensure it is not madly over-pressurised. Fit the gas-in line (pre-pressured and attached to gas cylinder) and pour beer. The precautions are just to avoid beer shooting up the gas-in line into the regulator. The gas-in line could have a check valve fitted I suppose?

It has taken much longer to write this than actually fill a growler! It's very quick and less faff than my flashy "Pegas" counter-pressure PET bottle filler, hence why I've bought these "growlers" (uh, nasty un-British word).

 

[Tom Kerry]

One more question if I may.

If you have a few of these, what are people’s opinions when it comes to swapping over to the second keg and the risk of oxidisation whilst you swap standard lid for the tap and co2?

Thanks again

Tom

 

[Dutto]

Is it possible to do a closed transfer to one of these from a corny?

I don't have a Corny Keg so can't give a definitive answer, but they do a load of connections such as these ...

https://www.darkfarm.co.uk/product/...nnector-ball-lock-for-mini-keg-homebrew-kits/

So if you have the right tubing and connections (and you know what you are doing) I can't see any reason why not.

 

[Dutto]

...........

If you have a few of these, what are people’s opinions when it comes to swapping over to the second keg and the risk of oxidisation whilst you swap standard lid for the tap and co2?

......

I always carbonate using sugar and the only problem I have had so far is that the very first Growler I "tapped" foamed like crazy; and as the space above the beer was full of foaming CO2, zero oxygen entered the Growler!

Since that fiasco, I have used only 10g of Brewing Sugar to gently carbonate a 10 litre Growler. I fit the Pressure Relief Cap so that the pressure in the Growler is controlled during carbonation.

When I change the Tap over from Growler One I:

1. Remove the Tap, clean and sanitise Growler One and stand it upside down on the worktop to drain. (*)
2. Remove the Dip Tube from the Tap and:
   • Dismantle the Tap, clean it, sanitise it, reassemble it and cover it with kitchen paper.
   • Dismantle the Dip Tube (**) wash it out, sanitise it, reassemble it and cover it with kitchen paper.
3. On Growler Two I:
   • Release the CO2 using the Pressure Relief Cap.
   • Loosen the Cap.
4. I then:
   • Reassemble the Tap and the Dip Tube.
   • Remove the Pressure Relief Cap.
   • Insert and tighten up the Dip Tube and Tap.
   • Reconnect the CO2 from the Sodastream bottle.
   • Bring the Pressure Controller up to 5psi.
   • Flush out the Dip Tube and the Tap with 150ml of the brew.
5. Clean the Pressure Relief Cap, sanitise it, dry it and put it away for its next use.

In answer to the Post, there is no chance of a significant amount of oxygen being introduced into the Growler during a change-over of the Tap.

(*)
I allow Growler One to drain for 24 hours then fit an ordinary Cap and put it away until required.

(**)
The Dip Tube kept sticking to the bottom of the Growler during the first use so, rather than shortening the tube, I fitted an old "U" from the end of a Wilco syphon to the end of the tube. I cut two "V" shapes in the side of the "U" to ensure that I didn't lose any of the brew. i.e. When it's empty it's empty!

 

[BeerCat]

I'll give instructions for a growler fitted with Corny keg style disconnects. If you have the "other" sort (like in Dutto's piccies) you'll faff about with hose clips to get the hoses attached to growler, and the hoses will need valves fitting to close them when filling - easier having the caps with disconnect posts! Disconnect caps are available separately (but not cheap). What you need is:

1. Length of hose (about a meter) with two "beer out" disconnects attached each end. This is the "transfer hose".
2. Short length of hose (translucent is handy) with "gas in" disconnect on one end, simple tap (like a JG one) attached to other end. (You can just use the pressure relief valve on the growler, but a tube with tap is more relaxing).

Clean growler and fit with tap/gas-in cap. Take gas line off Corny full of beer and fit to growler; this will pressurise the growler to same pressure as keg (purging the growler with CO2 isn't really necessary). Take gas line off growler and put back on keg. Fit "transfer hose" to growler, also fit gas hose (with closed tap on end). Fit other end of "transfer hose" to Corny keg (the beer shouldn't flow because the pressure in each keg is the same). Crack open the valve on the growler's gas line to let the gas out and the growler fill with beer (or tweak open the PRV, but you'll have to hang onto the PRV until filled hence the extra hose with valve is handy). Don't rush filling or you'll probably have a growler full of froth; it should take about 5 minutes to fill a 5L growler. You'll see beer enter the gas-out tube when full at which point close the valve (if using the PRV beer will start spluttering out of it so let PRV go!). Remove all the hoses and off you go!

When serving fit the tap first and just pour out a bit to ensure it is not madly over-pressurised. Fit the gas-in line (pre-pressured and attached to gas cylinder) and pour beer. The precautions are just to avoid beer shooting up the gas-in line into the regulator. The gas-in line could have a check valve fitted I suppose?

It has taken much longer to write this than actually fill a growler! It's very quick and less faff than my flashy "Pegas" counter-pressure PET bottle filler, hence why I've bought these "growlers" (uh, nasty un-British word).

Thank you mate. I have copied this to a text file for safe keeping. I will be getting one at some point, its inevitable. :)

 

[Tom Kerry]

I think I'm ready to pull the trigger looks like a great introduction to kegging. would i be able to get a discount code please? @Gareth Davies

 

[Searby Homebrew]

Hi Gareth

Are you still offering the 15% discount code on the 10l keg and dispenser? thinking of buying some equipment from you

all the best

John

 

[CharlieMc]

Hi Gareth - definitely interested in the 10L keg, so another request for the discount code please. Cheers.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

He asks members to message him in the OP, he may not be reading the threads.

 

[Tom Kerry]

Also on the website it says they are on holiday

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Thanks Tom.

 

[CharlieMc]

Good point. Thanks Tom.

 

[Jonny Ford]

I received my 10L version today. Really happy with it.

Need to give it a good wash and sanitise before moving a 10L batch I have over to it.

 

[Gareth Davies]

I think I'm ready to pull the trigger looks like a great introduction to kegging. would i be able to get a discount code please? @Gareth Davies

Hi, we are back from our hols and i have sent you your code. If you have any further questions please get in contact.

 

[Gareth Davies]

You should all have your unique codes if any one is missing theirs please get in contact - [email protected]

Happy brewing! Just kegged my first wet hopped APA and Red Ale - quick taste and it was LUSH!!!

 

[CharlieMc]

Thanks Gareth - code used already and looking forward to receiving the 10L keg. I have some Dark Star Festival Ale ready to keg.

 

[Gareth Davies]

I received my 10L version today. Really happy with it.

Need to give it a good wash and sanitise before moving a 10L batch I have over to it.

Thanks Gareth - code used already and looking forward to receiving the 10L keg. I have some Dark Star Festival Ale ready to keg.

@CharlieMc It should be with you tomorrow :)

 

[phildo79]

Happy to offer thehomebrewforum.co.uk 15% off send me a message for discount code

https://www.darkfarm.co.uk/mini-keg-growler/

https://www.darkfarm.co.uk/shop/equipment/

Hi Gareth
Any chance of a discount code, please?
Cheers

 

[Gareth Davies]

Hi Gareth
Any chance of a discount code, please?
Cheers

Hi Phil, No worries - I have just sent you your unique code.

 

[CharlieMc]

Just received my 10L keg, very promptly - good service.
As I am not priming my beer (Dark Star Festival) I am cranking the pressure up to 12 to start so there is CO2 absorbed into the beer before I drop it back to 6 for serving. Hoping for a light head and good lacing; pictures to follow. Cribbed this general idea from Treebeard above - thanks. Anyone else tried the same?