Advise on Keg Purchases ~10L size - confused

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

I have been looking at kegging options for a while now.

But for my uses, a keg would be used for party/BBQ situations rather than a bottling alternative. So the weight and associated gadgetry would need to be small.

Most of the keggers in my club all use cornys, but I find the corny situation to be a mind wrecker of complexity, especially in terms of external gas supply, gauges and the like, though I will admit that the mini cornys probably would fit the bill perfectly.

I have looked at mini kegs too, but I have seen unconfirmed reports that they may have trouble with holding pressure/exploding. I also dont really like the fact that they are heavy on the CO2 bulbs either. But they would also be a good (and cheap choice) for what I want.

Other options I have see are things like regular small pub kegs, like half sized firkins. Casked ale would go down a hit, but I would want to be sure the crowd could clean it out.

Obviously ease of cleaning is a factor. As is ease of chilling.

Anyone got any ideas? Am i being too picky? Space is a consideration in the flat, and I dont really need to be filling it up with more beer equipment.

[JimmyM]

Most basic (easiest setup and cheapest entry) is mini kegs.
A lot of people on here (including myself used them before cornies - you basically fill them same as you would a bottle some people say you shouldnt carb as much as a bottle - but i used to treat them the same - but its something you just have to suck and see.

Cornies are better (beer lasts longer, and more convenient once youve done the intial set up)
The connections are cheap and easy to get hold of compared to pub kegs.
The regs are easy enough to setup - a bit of common sense and a little play with it and youll wonder what the fuss is about

If you're worried about complexity and messing around in setup, dont bother with pub kegs. Unless you know someone in the pub trade to get you the bits, it can be expensive to set up.
A half size pub keg is a bit bigger than a corny i think.

There are loads of guides on here to setting up cornies.... but the best thing you could do is drop around to someone who is already set up.

[irish_goat]

Half size pub kegs are 30L.

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

Most basic (easiest setup and cheapest entry) is mini kegs.
A lot of people on here (including myself used them before cornies - you basically fill them same as you would a bottle some people say you shouldnt carb as much as a bottle - but i used to treat them the same - but its something you just have to suck and see.

What do you need besides the mini-keg itself? I can buy them individually from the UK shops, rather than the all in one kit, and would prefer to skip the CO2 bulbs.

I can probably prime them a bit lower, and would probably favour english ale styles. The contents can get a bit lively in transport.

Next time I am at a club brew day, I will need to fiddle with the cornies. Might get a good opportunity next month at the club homebrew festival.

[Greg2013]

What about  the mini corie kegs, I believe you can get them in US two gallon size?

[JimmyM]

Heres a link to everything you need for minikegs for 80 euro
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewferm-mini-keg-starter-kit-1614-p.asp
- aside from the kegs themselves you need bungs (which will come with the kegs anyway) and the tapping device - which is basically a rod that passes through the bung. There's a tap on the top and the pressure in the keg forces the beer up. When the pressure drops you attach a co2 bulb. When i used them i was able to get 2 kegs out of a co2 bulb.
They would suit less carbed beers like ales.

Greg... I believe those smaller cornies often end up costing more than the regular size ones.

[Covey]

Too picky, go for Cornies you know it makes sense

[John_C]

I used to have the mini kegs and they're not great. There's no way to regulate the pressure in them so you'll likely be pouring pints of foam at the party/BBQ.

I have a 10 liter corny now along with a plastic tap, regulator and a soda stream gas cylinder. I've brought it to a few parties and the whole setup is very portable. It cost a bit over 100 quid to put the whole lot together. I got the regulator second hand so that saved me a bit.
If you're interested, I can put up a few photos.

[mrtickel]

How about doing this http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=&t=21461 you can buy the bung for the co2 valve from http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/public/detailv1.asp?itemcode=MIN20078054 would be a handy idea if you knew a lad that had some of them kegs they didnt want

[Bogwoppit]

I have a set of mini kegs (5l) and a king keg http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/public/detailv1.asp?itemcode=KIN20155140

I find the mini kegs handy for transportation to a party or whatever but they can be a bit hard to get the carbonation right and I tend to get a lot of head.

The king keg is great. The one I have uses the large gas canister which lasts a long time, no problem with the size of the head once you pull a couple of pints and get used to the tap.
Beer should have plenty of shelf life even if you are drinking it as you always have positive pressure in the keg. I've been drinking the current batch for over a month now and it's still improving. The keg easily takes all my 20 litre batches, it could probably fit around 25l.

Bw

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

I have seen easy kegs, which have their own bung, and can be dispensed without CO2 bulbs or a specialised tap.

Cheap investment, and a guy at the club is happy with them for dispensing english ales.

I am seriously looking long term at the half size cornies. Just need to get some playtime with one.

[John_C]

I am seriously looking long term at the half size cornies. Just need to get some playtime with one.

I know what you mean. It took me a while to get my head around the system. I got particularly mixed up on the different diameter of tubing.