Kegging or Bottling?

[Ian...]

I'm definitely in the 'go with both' school.

No doubt about it kegs (I'm talking plastic kegs here) can be a bit of a pain:

Taste isn't quite as good as bottled.
Taps always seep (in my experience)
Consistency while beer pulled as the amount drops, just isn't quite 'there'.
You have to gas them up once they get to half-way.
Washers/seals have to be replaced every few months.
Not easy to clean and sanitize
Can't easily give drinks away to friends or take to BBQ's etc
Bloody heavy to keep hauling around when you get to my age
Difficult/Impossible to serve at optimum temperature. (mine have to be in the garage. if you can keep one at room temperature this would be better)
Can't keep any beer back for aging.
You need at least two. Three would give you more flexibility

Kegs can be great because:
So convenient pouring drinks for yourself and when friends come round.
Much quicker to wash/clean/sanitize than 40 or so bottles
Look great (better than bottles but just my opinion) in the garage.
Easy to assess at a glance how much you have left.
Very space saving.

Subsequently, from a 40 pint brew, I keg about 30 pints and bottle about 10. It's all subjective though isn't it? What ever works for you is fine.
Cheers

Ian

 

[LeithR]

I'm predominantly a KK advocate, I've got 5 of them, but I also bottle, its useful to have a stash to take to a friends house.

Certainly agree with the comments about getting bottles from friends/ local pubs etc... the way to go. :thumb: :thumb:

Ours is and should be a SLOW/relaxing activity, each stage has clear boundaries and certainly each stage, on completion, when I get there gives me a fine feeling of achievement. There is also the inbuilt flexibility of being able to leave an activity for a day or so to be able to fit into family activities.

I strongly advocate scouring your local Freecycle sites and Car Boot sales. I've picked up most of my gear from these locations at little or no cost, the down side of this approach is that I've been doing this for the last 15 years - it does take a while but from various threads there is a clear driver for all of us to get a good bargain - good luck to all of you!!!

Lets take our time and do it as best we can and make the beer we want. :thumb: :thumb: :