National Homebrew Club Ireland

Saw this pop up on Amazon, essentially a 1.0 or 3.7 litre growler with attached tap and CO2. Ridiculous price but it would be a nice novelty to have.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NQR4RN9/ref=s9_acsd_ri_bw_c_aluksh19_1_w?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_r=J49SGE0ZRF8BEFPZS8BH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=ebd61af9-e14e-42d3-92e6-4918592f9190&pf_rd_i=7424508031

You can pick up 5litre and 10litre mini kegs on get er brewed now

Along the same lines, not as neat looking, but 1/3 of the price

€ 56,73  2L Mini Stainless Steel Beer Keg With Faucet Pressurized Home Beer Brewing Craft Beer Dispenser Growler Mini Beer Keg System
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/clqOXITA

Both viable options aye, but suppose this is the Rolls Royce looking version of those.

That's a lot of cabbage for something that holds, essentially, 3 pints of beer.

Insanely expensive for what you get. I own quite a few of the minikeg growlers.

For about the same money, you can get a 5L growler keg all made up for you:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Keg-Beer-Growler-5L-Steel-spear-tap-Soda-Stream-regulator-ball-lock/332295968643?hash=item4d5e621783&enc=AQADAAADAFjVrDbVsZ8oH%2F8PNHtt9VX4%2Fw7FZcmMuqsX8uaFEduVpQUjEq8cnQEt8eIpA8aQCNtTfhAZFCEu7KKStya%2B7BSfgckUE1tOP%2B9bNfzKnHGtNdnEOKOJGonckhUtjD%2BTunh%2FgTFORWlqIoN4%2B7hyB9Q5sadhexC1JIgPMf8k745Z76E2234QZt8gWeXALjfi%2FDwWp9DCQvajdGsy6%2F9UlgNARipsd2%2FEdF9sHqw6%2B%2FtUHhPFA%2BliYqPo94RS0fupX1iBuXzuAQPv9GoQPULtr4FKE5%2BcC34JDiO6gAqv0%2B7Pmtwd0E5RP9nwxw1nvg3yUZB6LrZevMUxkg7CXM4heTFVY5IiGbaZh89cWw7k%2B8DPaVtbK4PFymdvzaPMD4RGcNtAqHlUSzqTQDk3XahTwGpMCPSp7cRpxHYs%2FKlIIXeq58lPNew4JKDMlsQYcVBVC2GiiNK4w8Mn8vUBnZGMmHHw1SQ5HNmjffzAD4cl8ODshJ2QpGpm6dqjx3LsZfE5r0hvM0P2gkL3Bub03tkcQS71hGiczXwTOTMcEiU0CZDqIMhhkrDxg6mMxkO6juqDQp38mDwkw3cvjvMtvcXDKuCuojOEEDD3SUZ2xOY3EcurBh48IVUFkOYgs%2Ffv7bT%2BPkzPD1cT1a0PJcJN3ytW2xyySq6xPXQt7ABu0qQrSHO%2FCj2RbYy%2B%2BvGTqWfODzgr61tVWJQpfWIoaZLK56esW35vUZYUopATqVfN%2BiWIjlJaJcEsRXW58oknt8Oz0Pj2Q3hjw0Ozkr82fChsF2NHX%2FOkqr81ld1nxjLy5UCBj%2FhHwFZ6H0Z9uYxGcu43EfGMmaRbxpxx9CW0op01dRLelY1a19ZbkdDhsz7d2QufjssC6YbLCfy7LtGqJ2mYZH9utgBEI76Xl3Ur58CmE5PnruBmcaePawur4bwx%2BVHjCDoiiHuh4IsiPU%2F285%2BdGj%2FRGtUzP0J3q2XCwAbd4LyTmMJGH72le0kwRde67iW8Wq1dpj24Lt6wzhkcFujh%2BDGnFA%3D%3D&checksum=33229596864384668c6e95534e4491e601e15f576b81

^ I wouldnt buy that BTW. These setups have problems, being pricey for one, and fobbing like hell for another.

I do like those mini kegs, but the main question you have to ask yourself is what are you using it for. If you need to bring beer to a meetup that will be consumed in < 2 hours, why do you need to dispense under pressure? You have a lot of very cheap options to do that (not the least of which is the humble carbonation cap on a PET bottle).

If you need a portable source of beer for a camping weekend they are pretty good, but cost wise, a 9L corny keg is much cheaper. Also if you already have a CO2 source at home (which you will to fill a corny), you can just use a long/narrow picnic tap:
https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/premium-party-tap-line/ in conjunction with something as primitive as a PET bottle/carb cap full of 45PSI CO2 (you could go fancy with a secondary regulator or LPG regulator too).

The growlers themselves are nice, as they will work well with being primed so you can use them as a low tech kegging solutions, but they are pricey once you get into pushing them out with CO2.

any of the above options with a can of this (https://www.amazon.co.uk/400ml-Brilliant-Metallic-Bright-Copper/dp/B001W03PLI/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=copper+spray+paint&qid=1558706592&s=gateway&sr=8-3) for £8, problem solved ;)

Quote from: irish_goat on May 24, 2019, 08:57:36 AM
Saw this pop up on Amazon, essentially a 1.0 or 3.7 litre growler with attached tap and CO2. Ridiculous price but it would be a nice novelty to have.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07NQR4RN9/ref=s9_acsd_ri_bw_c_aluksh19_1_w?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_r=J49SGE0ZRF8BEFPZS8BH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=ebd61af9-e14e-42d3-92e6-4918592f9190&pf_rd_i=7424508031

I have one of these, brought it home from America last year. Think it was about $130 I paid for it. Very popular there, where they are mainly used for fills from microbreweries. It's not a bad bit of kit but there is a maintenance kit which you can only buy in the US at the moment. I now have to use Keg lube on mine each time on the CO2 seal or else it leaks the gas. I use mine to let family and friends sample my beers. The little pressure gauge has also failed on mine but it's not really necessary anyway.

iKegger will ship to Ireland, still dear at €129 but i like the idea of hooking up a 4l mini keg to my normal keg to hold a full batch!

https://ikegger.eu/products/build-a-package-set-selber-zusammen-stellen?variant=4827744534558

Anyone bought the 5L mini kegs from get er brewed?

The 10L ones on GEB are a great price. Was going to pick another up until I got into sankeys.

In general the 5L ones are the ones to get. Its the most practical size.

Do the ones on GEB take the 16g CO2 cartridges?

AFAIK all bulbs have a uniform thread, so yes.

I am pretty sure that I mixed 12g and 16g bulbs with my portable regs.

Is there anyway of using nitrogen on these kegs?

The spear heads have regular corny posts so they can take whatever gas you feed it. But N2 would probably need a full regulator and a mixed gas bottle

Anyway of getting something like this to fit? https://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/nitro-2g-nitrogen-chargers-box-of-10

or these https://www.discountcream.co.uk/25-cream-chargers-16g-12-p.asp?gclid=Cj0KEQjw3PLnBRCpo8PCoaGM99MBEiQAppRuCzUTpRh1EyqyG_YR-gDrcFDbD6lDl11tkLEvvo4oUIIaAqf38P8HAQ

Quote from: JMK8 on June 09, 2019, 10:29:26 PM
Anyway of getting something like this to fit? https://www.creamsupplies.co.uk/nitro-2g-nitrogen-chargers-box-of-10

These look like they are interchangeable with co2 cartridges.

Worth an experiment I would say, especially if the beer is already conditioned and you just want to push it out with N2

Yea that was what I was thinking.  Think I will give it a try and see how it goes.

Be interested to see how you get on with this nitro system. One advantage of using mixed gas in a pub is you can have a higher pressure if your beer line is a long way to the bar tap and it also does not have the issue of overcarbing your keg the way co2 would because the nitrogen gas will not dissolve into the beer while sitting under pressure.

Yeah, if the thread fits you have a simple nitro delivery system that could work very well for any stout or low carbed style.

Look forward to seeing the results. Mixed gas is a heavy commitment; this could work as a keg charger too, and make a big difference to a CO2 carbed stout or english ale.

Yet again this has cropped up like cream floating on milk!

These are Nitrous Oxide cartridges (aka Laughing gas and used to be used as a mild dental anesthetic - see Carry on Doctor!)

Nitrous Oxide is readily dissolved in fats (Cream) and so is used to force carb whip cream in a soda syphon like thing!

This has NOTHING do do with using a Nitrogen/CO2 mix to dispense stout!

Please don't waste your money on these (unless you want cheap whipped cream)

So when he says,this beer not only tastes funny,it is funny. Why it's my funny bunny beer. :D

Move over Brut IPA your day in the sun is over.

The new craft beer trend is Laughing Gas Nitro Ice Cream stout. And it all started right here folks...

What about the gas that makes you talk like a smurf :D

Would be class to have a pub of rough docker types t the ens on the nights session all speaking in high pitched squeaky voices. Stop any rows or maybe not :-\ :D :laugh:

Quote from: DEMPSEY on June 12, 2019, 07:02:17 PM
What about the gas that makes you talk like a smurf :D

AKA Helium or Baloon Gas

bike tyre inflator from aldi (€5) + tube from aliexpress (€1.50)

or you can buy them from CHINA (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Homebrew-kegging-Premium-Regulated-CO2-Charger-with-ball-lock-fitting-mini-CO2-Regulator-3-8-thread/32836738998.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.1.10875619MPA92E&s=p&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10304_10307_10820_10821_537_10302_536,searchweb201603_52,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=f7555666-9fd4-4ab8-95c9-4e7641328766-0&algo_pvid=f7555666-9fd4-4ab8-95c9-4e7641328766&transAbTest=ae803_3) for 20 or a HBS (http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/co2-charger-for-cornelius-keg-16g-new-model-p-63.html) for €25
the gas in a 12g c02 bulb expands to about 9 liters. bulbs (http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/co2-cartridges-for-kegcharger-10-pcs-for-new-model-p-3457.html) are about €1.30 each.

I went and bought this item, just need to be able to get it to connect to the gas in on my Heino type keg coupler. Going to use it as a cask breather/controller as I use a Heino type corney keg for my Cask beer. :)

Check that the CO2 is food grade though, a lot of them aren't as they are for inflating bike tyres.

It's the same little gas bottle like you get from THBC but I might skip the bottle I got with it and go buy them from their just in case.

you got me thinking about this so, https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/43655/is-there-such-a-thing-as-food-grade-co2.

THBC cylinders are 8G where as the Aldi ne is 16G :-\

Quote from: LordEoin on June 16, 2019, 10:24:47 PM
bike tyre inflator from aldi (€5) + tube from aliexpress (€1.50)

Can you link to the tube from aliexpress (€1.50) please?

Out trying to source a part for this atm. Bicycle shop has nothing.

Check that the part in Aldi is working. I had to bring mine back as the threads on the unit were reamed out.  ;)

not sure if its the same shop, but it looks like the same part
Aliexpress item (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bicycle-Valve-Extender-Tire-Parts-MTB-Bike-10cm-Rubber-Copper-For-Schrader-Valve/32945669666.html?spm=2114.search0604.3.46.452d29b6c64e1G&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_7_10065_10068_319_10059_10884_317_10887_10696_321_322_10084_453_10083_454_10103_10618_10304_10307_10820_10821_537_10302_536,searchweb201603_52,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=33139b71-2a18-4c10-b598-949fa9c0b684-6&algo_pvid=33139b71-2a18-4c10-b598-949fa9c0b684&transAbTest=ae803_5)
Just chop off the end you don't want. added a hose clamp too to make it last longer.
Unsure where to get replacement bulbs if the HBS ones are a different size. guessing paintball supplies.
a quick google shows this
https://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/mosa-co2-16g-threaded-box-of-30
the 'food grade' debate (https://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/equipment-chemicals/genuine-innovations-co2-keg-charger-bulbs/) will probably rumble but that doesnt concern me as i only plan on using it occasionally to serve and empty a corny, but mainly as an emergency backup in case my main gas leaks out unexpectedly and leaves me serveless.
if in doubt, just spend the extra 20 on one built for purpose. i like making things.

Local bicycle shop has loads of them 16Gr ones so I reckin they are plenty around them shops. 

Folks just to remind everybody as I've said this before when it comes to those little capsules there is food and non food grades versions. The difference comes in the method of manufacturing, with pretty much all coming from China, they use cheaper steel and a lubricant oil to form the bulb from a disc. The lubricant is washed from the surface but not the inside of those for filling bikes or paintball there is no need.
https://youtu.be/zHtiSvlDpa0
The ones chefs use for cream and you granny used for soda water are more expensive and food grade. The irony is that the co2 is probably ok but the lubricant isn't.
For the food ones on the Link LE posted

https://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/co2-for-beer-soda

the ones for cream are n02 i think. otherwise you'd have fizzy cream

That might be a bit of fun to try

Quote from: CH on June 22, 2019, 06:35:44 PM
Folks just to remind everybody as I've said this before when it comes to those little capsules there is food and non food grades versions....

And if you want proof, just discharge one of the cheaper CO2 canisters through a sheet of newspaper, or tissue and the oil will be evident.

Quote from: TheSumOfAllBeers on June 06, 2019, 11:57:35 PM
The 10L ones on GEB are a great price. Was going to pick another up until I got into sankeys.

In general the 5L ones are the ones to get. Its the most practical size.

0p

If anyone needed a push on this, the 64oz version is on special today for "steel"... boom boom. (the steel version is down to a mere £97.30)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pressurized-Growler-Craft-Stainless-Steel/dp/B07KGCK1MZ/ref=gbps_img_s-4_0fcc_ada08c7a?smid=A1RS2F4MSVELBU&pf_rd_p=dd01667b-c0c6-410d-b7cb-5f62a5ab0fcc&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=270CEDX9HGY7Q7MH60PE

the mini-kegs from Geterbrewed (and Malt Miller etc, they all seem to be the same design).

If you have several kegs filled is the idea you have a ball-lock lid for each or do you store your beer with the screw-tops on the kegs.
If the latter how do you change keg without loosing pressure?

I'm not that familiar with kegging, but these look pretty good for small batches and would fit in a non-dedicated fridge so thinking about them.

Quote from: shweeney on November 07, 2019, 05:14:14 PM
the mini-kegs from Geterbrewed (and Malt Miller etc, they all seem to be the same design).

If you have several kegs filled is the idea you have a ball-lock lid for each or do you store your beer with the screw-tops on the kegs.
If the latter how do you change keg without loosing pressure?

I'm not that familiar with kegging, but these look pretty good for small batches and would fit in a non-dedicated fridge so thinking about them.

I bought a 5L one, along with a mini-regulator from iKegger (aussie crowd - these things seem more popular down under).

Have a lager conditioning in it now, I'll report back on how it works out.

Quote from: shweeney on December 19, 2019, 03:08:30 PM

Quote from: shweeney on November 07, 2019, 05:14:14 PM
the mini-kegs from Geterbrewed (and Malt Miller etc, they all seem to be the same design).

If you have several kegs filled is the idea you have a ball-lock lid for each or do you store your beer with the screw-tops on the kegs.
If the latter how do you change keg without loosing pressure?

I'm not that familiar with kegging, but these look pretty good for small batches and would fit in a non-dedicated fridge so thinking about them.

If you want to use these like kegs, with all the benefits that entails, you tend to leave the spear head assemblies in place. That is, you (either) prime the beer as usual and fit the spear head, or fit the spear head when the keg is full of star san and purge it with co2.

If you want *bright* beer, you need to fit the the spear head. If you prime, and put the regular caps on, that is fine, but changing the spear head will cause the diptube to swish about and disturb the sediment.


I bought a 5L one, along with a mini-regulator from iKegger (aussie crowd - these things seem more popular down under).

Have a lager conditioning in it now, I'll report back on how it works out.