Beer Kegging Systems
- Thread starter DrtDoctor
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Never used the party pigs but the Tap-A-Draft system works well. I like to prime the batch with dextrose and then fill plastic bottles and only used the CO2 or N2 cartridges to dispense the beer.
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDet.asp?PartNumber=6780A
The trouble with all these systems including a corny keg setup is that are designed around the standard 5 gallon batch but I just bottle the remaining gallon.
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDet.asp?PartNumber=6780A
The trouble with all these systems including a corny keg setup is that are designed around the standard 5 gallon batch but I just bottle the remaining gallon.
Yes you fill 3 for a normal sized 5 gallon batch and they come with screw-on caps. I normally place my bottles into the wine cellar after I know the beer has carbonated for storage then place in fridge when needed to chill then tap and enjoy.
The only real issue is you have to disturb the sediment in the bottle of the bottle somesince you have to tip the whole thing upright to uncap and tap.
The only real issue is you have to disturb the sediment in the bottle of the bottle somesince you have to tip the whole thing upright to uncap and tap.
So for the tap-a-draft this is everything I need?
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDet.asp?PartNumber=6780A
I"m thinking of going with it.
DrtDoctor
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDet.asp?PartNumber=6780A
I"m thinking of going with it.
DrtDoctor
You will also need to get a box of CO2 cartridges:
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDetA.asp?PartNumber=5002
http://www.finevinewines.com/ProdDetA.asp?PartNumber=5002
Ok, I bought the tap-a-draft and recently ordered 3 more bottles. Looks good. Tonight I set about to bottle a Baron's Redwood Ale. My question as I began to fill the bottles is: How much, if any head space should I leave in each bottle? I understand that these bottles can take some pressure and my instinct said to fill them to the top or only leave the smallest of head space. I chickened out and left about an inch and a half so that the head space was a little way down the shoulder of the bottle. I plan to let it carbonate naturally and only use the CO2 for dispensing the beer. I bottled the extra. Should I open one of the traditional bottles and top up each of the big bottles?
Am I ok here?
DrtDoctor
Am I ok here?
DrtDoctor
The manufacturer states to leave 1" of head space down from the threads and here are more complete instructions and info:
http://www.sturmanbg.com/products/Directions.pdf
http://www.sturmanbg.com/products/Directions.pdf
Masta,
Thanks for the link. Couldn't find it myself. I left just a little more room at the top than is suggested. I'll probably just leave it alone at this point and hope for the best. What is the purpose of them stressing that the bottles should always remain on their sides?
DrtDoctor
Thanks for the link. Couldn't find it myself. I left just a little more room at the top than is suggested. I'll probably just leave it alone at this point and hope for the best. What is the purpose of them stressing that the bottles should always remain on their sides?
DrtDoctor
If I had six gallons of beer, I'd keg five gallons in a cornelius keg system like Big Port's and bottle the rest to use for social events and beer competitions. I just bought a freezer to store five kegs, two for beer, one for soda, and two for wine. I'm in the process of building a collar around the freezer so I can add five taps with a drip tray. I have a CO2 tank with two regulators for the beer and soda kegs, and I plan on buying a nitrogen tank for the wine kegs. I plan to keep a basic red and white in each wine keg. There are multiple examples of freezer conversions on the web:
See, e.g.,
http://www.homebrewadventures.com/articles/article08170301.shtml
http://groups.msn.com/NorthTexasHomeBrewAssociationHomePage/freezerconversion.msnwEdited by: dfwwino
See, e.g.,
http://www.homebrewadventures.com/articles/article08170301.shtml
http://groups.msn.com/NorthTexasHomeBrewAssociationHomePage/freezerconversion.msnwEdited by: dfwwino
Ok, a couple questions. With the Tap-a-draft system, do your PET containers leek slightly? I'm constantly tightening them or else during the carbonation phase these drip just a little. Often they leak even with the tightening.
Also, I'm thinking of making the Brewer's Best Irish Stout. What do I have to do to get that really thick head. I understand there's a special priming sugar? And do I have to use some kind of nitrogen pressure instead of CO2??
Thanks in advance,
What a great forum!!!!
DrtDoctor
Also, I'm thinking of making the Brewer's Best Irish Stout. What do I have to do to get that really thick head. I understand there's a special priming sugar? And do I have to use some kind of nitrogen pressure instead of CO2??
Thanks in advance,
What a great forum!!!!
DrtDoctor
Whats up Doc!!!
I haven't had any caps leak but I do tighten them slightly past hand tight with a pair of channel locks when putting them on. Is it new caps leaking or used ones?
The thick head in stouts comes more from the mixture of gas used (nitrogen and CO2) and pouring method. After a bit more research I found this article which gives a great explanation of how to get and keep a great head on your beer.
http://byo.com/feature/386.html
Try using one CO2 and one Nitrogencartridgefor dispensing your stout and once the glass is almost full push back on the TAD valve to partially open and it will aerate the beer to give you a good head on top.
To read, print or download Tap-A-Draft Information and directions, Click HereEdited by: masta
I haven't had any caps leak but I do tighten them slightly past hand tight with a pair of channel locks when putting them on. Is it new caps leaking or used ones?
The thick head in stouts comes more from the mixture of gas used (nitrogen and CO2) and pouring method. After a bit more research I found this article which gives a great explanation of how to get and keep a great head on your beer.
http://byo.com/feature/386.html
Try using one CO2 and one Nitrogencartridgefor dispensing your stout and once the glass is almost full push back on the TAD valve to partially open and it will aerate the beer to give you a good head on top.
To read, print or download Tap-A-Draft Information and directions, Click HereEdited by: masta
Having some problems with my Tap a Draft. Last batch was a ale and it started getting VERY foamy. So much so that a pint glass may only have a half inch of beer to start on the bottom. I figured maybe it was the ale. I now have a Dort on and it too is very foamy. I wonder if some maintenance is needed on the tap???
Thanks for any thoughts,
Andy
Thanks for any thoughts,
Andy
Drt,
The only issue I havehad with the taps isone that had a leak and allowed all the gas to escape out the small relief valve. I know if you don't open the valveall the way when filling your glass you will get more foam than liquid. It is possible that the tube that exits the tap on the outside isn't opening completely when you turn on the tap. Since the valve stops the flow of beer by pinching the tube off I have had this issue when the taps sit for a while and the tube stays collapsed and then doesn't open fully allowing a good flow of beer.
The only issue I havehad with the taps isone that had a leak and allowed all the gas to escape out the small relief valve. I know if you don't open the valveall the way when filling your glass you will get more foam than liquid. It is possible that the tube that exits the tap on the outside isn't opening completely when you turn on the tap. Since the valve stops the flow of beer by pinching the tube off I have had this issue when the taps sit for a while and the tube stays collapsed and then doesn't open fully allowing a good flow of beer.
