To Keg or not to Keg, that is the question

[Beer Barron]

Over the last year or so i have been improving my set up. I now have a fermentation fridge and a biol in the bag set up to make 20l batch. But where do improve next.

I am considering a keg set up to reduce bottling, but also get over the sediment issue. The only thing is I dont yet have another fridge.

Is it still worth getting a keg set up or would anyone go for other kit to improve the brewing experience.

Thanks

 

[LeeH]

Keg most certainly and maybe a baby brewtech conical.

 

[terrym]

I am considering a keg set up to reduce bottling, but also get over the sediment issue.

What do you mean by 'keg'? It could be anything from a simple plastic PB to a system involving CO2 from gas cylinders (and more perhaps).

 

[kelper]

I bought a 2L mini keg and then a 5L one. It fits in a standard 60cm fridge. Best step forward ever. It's great being able to fine-tune the carbonation and to chill it in the fridge.

 

[Beer Barron]

When I say Keg, I mean a CO2 corny keg set up. Hadn't really considered that there were other options

 

[Norfolk79]

Do it if you've got the change. Bottling day is much easier, only having to bottle about 4-6, rather than 40 odd.

A word of warning though, they multiply

 

[HarryFlatters]

Check that you can get pub gas easily, kegs and all the other gubbins are easy to get hold of, gas can be more of a challenge.

Make sure that you can keep them cold. I haven't got a keezer yet, and while I could use my kegs in the winter, I can't at the moment as ambient temperatures are too hot.

Other than that, go for it. They're fantastic once you've got the set up correct.

 

[Sadfield]

Regardless of serving beer from them, corny kegs are very versatile pieces of kit. They can be used as FVs, or bright tanks. Put some oak inside and they make great vessels for long term aging of beer. Having the option to either force carb or prime is great, choose your method to suit the style of beer.

They definitely multiply, I've got 5 and I don't run a kegorator.

 

[Brew_DD2]

Get buying them. Corny kegs are superb.

 

[braziliain]

As above, corny kegs are great. I chuck mine in the brew fridge when I'm not fermenting, then pull them out and leave them in the garage with a wet towel round them when I have the fermenter going. I have two but I can see myself getting more!

 

[Drunkula]

Yeah, kegging is great. These are the only cons -

1. keg drinking is "credit card" drinking. It's invisible spending. You go out to your bridge (brew fridge) pour off a glass, swig, top up and you do that every time. And there's no accountant. With bottles you see 8 on the counter you think, ok, just 3 more. You don't get that. Genuinely first time kegging I'd done the lot in under 48 hours. It was one of those wake-ups I ignore about 4 times a month.

2. It discourages smaller batches and if you're trying to learn things sensorially then more of the same thing isn't good - this might not be a problem for some but for me it crushed the magic for a while.

But overall it's pure bloody convenient joy. I've left beer weeks sometimes just because I couldn't face bottling day or find the time where you won't get shouted at for soaking the whole damn house, because that somehow happens.

Yeah, killing you dreams for convenience is something you have to come to terms with.

 

[Hoddy]

Yeah, kegging is great. These are the only cons -

1. keg drinking is "credit card" drinking. It's invisible spending. You go out to your bridge (brew fridge) pour off a glass, swig, top up and you do that every time. And there's no accountant. With bottles you see 8 on the counter you think, ok, just 3 more. You don't get that. Genuinely first time kegging I'd done the lot in under 48 hours. It was one of those wake-ups I ignore about 4 times a month.

2. It discourages smaller batches and if you're trying to learn things sensorially then more of the same thing isn't good - this might not be a problem for some but for me it crushed the magic for a while.

But overall it's pure bloody convenient joy. I've left beer weeks sometimes just because I couldn't face bottling day or find the time where you won't get shouted at for soaking the whole damn house, because that somehow happens.

Yeah, killing you dreams for convenience is something you have to come to terms with.

Apart from all of the joys of kegging. And seriously the difference in quality in your beers (if you co2 transfer) is immeasurable and the you will think why didn’t I do this before.

But as drunkula quite rightly says you do need to keep the consumption in check as you can find yourself on 5 pints a night without even thinking about it n

 

[Norfolk79]

But as drunkula quite rightly says you do need to keep the consumption in check as you can find yourself on 5 pints a night without even thinking about it n

Having a spreadsheet to “track” how much beer is left in the keg helps. Can be a bit of an eye opener when you realise you’ve drunk 5 pints on a Friday evening!

 

[HarryFlatters]

you’ve drunk 5 pints on a Friday evening!

Having a quiet one?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Can be a bit of an eye opener when you realise you’ve drunk 5 pints on a Friday evening!

Especially if you have to drive in the morning.

 

[Honk]

As everyone said above, kegs are great, I managed without a dedicated fridge for them for a couple of years but now that I have one wouldn't go back.

I now have beer in each of my kegs (6 )but need to empty one to make room for a batch in the fermenter before I go away next week, maybe taking a pint from each keg in turn to see which one runs out first isn't the most efficient way to empty a keg?
Could be a good weekend.

 

[Honk]

Well that didn't take long, I now have an empty keg and no session IP A left, it's one I shall brew again but play around with the hops. I bet that now ones empty another won't be far behind.

 

[Beer Barron]

Pretty conclusive opinions. Any recommendations on where to buy the best value set up and how to convince the wife it's a bargain which should not be missed?

 

[Brew_DD2]

Pretty conclusive opinions. Any recommendations on where to buy the best value set up and how to convince the wife it's a bargain which should not be missed?

Brewkegtap offer a brilliant service. Tell her it was roughly 50% of what you actually pay, safe in the knowledge that she probably does the same when she buys something for herself.

Superb username by the way.

 

[Hoddy]

These guys for used and refurb used kegs http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk...=Keg&autocomplate_id=&search_in_description=1

You won’t find them cheaper anywhere else.

Then use brewkegtap for all your fixtures and fittings. You don’t need to go SS on the taps. And you don’t need flow control. Just gold plated inter tap faucets and the right gas/lines and you are away