Keg questions

[animalsdrinkables]

I've just filled thirty bottles and the whole process of scrubbing, sterilising, and beering has taken the thick end of the weekend to do.

I'm off to buy a keg.

I've seen the plastic sort around: a simple tap at the bottom and some kind of valve at the top, with a cheesy wooden cask effect. How good are they? How long do beers last in them? Do they need to be filled right to the top or could I half fill a plastic keg? How do they stack up against bottles?

 

[evanvine]

It won't be anything near as fizzy as bottle conditioned, but so much more convenient!
Consider a top tap, then the keg doesn't have to overhang the shelf.