peoples views on kegs

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Well, you're going to need the corny. Obviously. Then you need a disconnect for the gas in and one for the liquid out.
Norm is by far the cheapest I have seen, currently at £55 for the corny, a pair of disconnect and some 3/8" pipework.

On top of that, you'll need a source of CO2. Here you have a couple of options.
You can go for a big bottle and regulator. Regulators tend to go for £15-20 on ebay. The trick is sourcing the bottles.
Or you can go for the small midget widget bottles with a trigger to fire out the gas.

Then at the other end you'll need a tap to dispense. You can go bargain basement and get a picnic tap (but expect a glass full of froth) or get a proper pub style tap. Something like a Dalex tap.

That's your basic setup. Beyond that, you might want to think of a gas management board to run several cornies. And perhaps a dedicated fridge to keep it all just right.

Oh, and bear in mind the cornies multiply. I must have got a mating pair.

---------------------------------
BB,
Is that a beer engine you're running from a corny? Just quickly, how have you got it rigged up? I assume you don't use gas as the pump "pulls" the beer as opposed to having it "pushed" out.
 
£55... sheesh they keep going up...

But yes, get to Norm, don't bother buying just one though, get at least a breeding pair from him ( saves on postage, as the 2nd will come anyway). Also worth asking if he has any 'bargain' ones, a little tattier but serve the job well and a much nicer price.

Then get a regulator ( or a gas board as mentioned) and a decent tap ( try Harmony Hut on fleabay or Barley Bottom do them). Beer engines are an option but personally I'd learn the basics before you start playing that game, and you'll always use a simple dalex tap even when you do go that far ( and you probably will) :whistle:

Then hunt round this forum, loads of info and help to get you up and running :party:
 
evanvine said:
Yet once again I appear to be out of step with most on the Forum.
I don't like fizzy cold beer! (embarrassment)
This being the case I use plastic kegs kept on a kitchen worktop + it's not far to go for your next pint.

I am a great believer in dont knock it untill you have tried it, however I am with you on this one, I dont like smooth flow systems and this seems to be going that way.
Plastic has its limitations and is shunned by the main stream industry,back in the day I always hankered after wooden kegs and trawling around the net it seems you can pick up a 20 ltr jobbie for around £70, so paying £40 for a plastic one just seems pointless to me.
Anyway each to his own

:cheers:
 
My last two cornies from Norm "bargains" as he post them. A few knocks and plastic lids, but just as good for £60 for the pair. They also came with a set of disconnects. All good and have stout maturing in them as i type :D
 
bornagin said:
I am a great believer in dont knock it untill you have tried it, however I am with you on this one, I dont like smooth flow systems and this seems to be going that way.

Mine doesn't come out like smoothflow at all, not sure why you would think this... I try to get mine as close to cask ale as possible, and I think I am pretty close, it's certainly better than I can do with plastic kegs as I can control the pressures.
 


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