Do_you_realise
Active Member
Hey,
I'm getting fed up of bottling and I'm wondering about upgrading to use 5L mini kegs, at least for 'easy drinking' beers like summer blonde ales etc. Probably still bottle the big IPAs/imperial stouts etc.
Just wondering... has anyone tried them out? I'm wanting these *purely* for things like taking on summer holidays with the family, turning up at friends' BBQ etc, for which they seem ideal compared to the equivalent load of 500ml bottles, or the next step up ('corny' keg system):
HOWEVER... I'm concerned that despite all the initial good points above, longer term they might have downsides when it comes to e.g. cleaning them out (? tiny opening, seems like it might be a pain in the ****), cleaning the plastic tap fittings, drying the kegs out (to keep them dry and mould-free between brews), stopping them rusting, making them hold pressure when conditioning in the keg after the 3rd or 4th use.
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In terms of intended usage, I was thinking of using these to 'keg condition' so I'm interested in knowing whether they can hold pressure over time.
Also I had intended to use these (once conditioned) as follows:
As an alternative I'm wondering whether there are systems available which will allow me to still use the system as described above but instead of air replacing the beer via the top valve, it's replaced with CO2 via one of those little tiny CO2 cartridges. So something with a regulator in it which will keep pressure up and have the benefit of stopping any nasties getting into the top of the keg. But still allow me to use the bottom tap.
Anyone who has used these - would really appreciate your input.
Thanks.
I'm getting fed up of bottling and I'm wondering about upgrading to use 5L mini kegs, at least for 'easy drinking' beers like summer blonde ales etc. Probably still bottle the big IPAs/imperial stouts etc.
Just wondering... has anyone tried them out? I'm wanting these *purely* for things like taking on summer holidays with the family, turning up at friends' BBQ etc, for which they seem ideal compared to the equivalent load of 500ml bottles, or the next step up ('corny' keg system):
- - Portable
- - Can fit them in a mate's fridge
- - Cheaper and easier than going 'full keg' and getting into corny kegs/CO2 regulators/etc (no money or space for this atm)
- - Not having to explain to friends why you're dropping a ****load of beer bottles off 2 days early for the yeast to settle and to keep them upright and refrigerated OR ELSE (bit of a big ask tbh of most people, unless they've got a spare fridge specifically for beer)
- - Not having to explain to drunk people what bottle conditioning is / to not pour the last inch of the bottle (this never works, you always have at least one **** drinking cloudy beer with tasty yeast floaters and then complaining at the quality of what is essentially free beer!)
HOWEVER... I'm concerned that despite all the initial good points above, longer term they might have downsides when it comes to e.g. cleaning them out (? tiny opening, seems like it might be a pain in the ****), cleaning the plastic tap fittings, drying the kegs out (to keep them dry and mould-free between brews), stopping them rusting, making them hold pressure when conditioning in the keg after the 3rd or 4th use.
---------------
In terms of intended usage, I was thinking of using these to 'keg condition' so I'm interested in knowing whether they can hold pressure over time.
Also I had intended to use these (once conditioned) as follows:
- Take to holiday destination / friend's house party / bbq / etc
- Place in fridge
- Open the top valve
- Dispense from bottom plastic tap using gravity (no CO2 setup here)
As an alternative I'm wondering whether there are systems available which will allow me to still use the system as described above but instead of air replacing the beer via the top valve, it's replaced with CO2 via one of those little tiny CO2 cartridges. So something with a regulator in it which will keep pressure up and have the benefit of stopping any nasties getting into the top of the keg. But still allow me to use the bottom tap.
Anyone who has used these - would really appreciate your input.
Thanks.