That is the question most home brewers eventually ask soon after getting hooked on brewing their own beer. Most home brew enthusiasts see it as a natural progression from novice to expert, much like going from extract to all-grain. However, even with all the positives of kegging your home made beer there are a few things you need to understand. First off, and probably the most important for many is the cost of kegging equipment.
For some it might be a hard sell to the wife or significant other on the merits of spending a few hundred to upwards of six hundred dollars on C02 tanks, canisters, towers, and maybe even a kegerator. Wasn’t one of the reasons given for the need to brew your own beer the money that would be saved? For those lucky few whom money is not an issue or those, like me, with a wife that loves beer, you will have to consider the space needed for a keg system.
Not only will you have to have space to store everything required you will have to have a place to dispense from. If you also appreciate food in addition to appreciating beer this usually means that you will need a spare refrigerator or even better�"a kegerator, an appliance whose sole purpose and function is to serve beer. Can there be a higher calling for an appliance? I think not.
Kegging does free the homebrewer from the mundane and tedious tasks of cleaning and sanitizing bottles, storing the empties (always seems there are more empties than fullies), and waiting weeks for beer to carbonate in the bottle. It also gives you control by easily adjusting carbonation levels to your liking for a given style or batch. A kegging system also opens the door to other possibilities, like closed beer transfer for sanitation and filtering for crystal clear beer.
Even with all the cleaning, and all the liberating freedoms of kegging your beer, bottling your homemade beer still has its place. For instance, seasonal or specialty beers that you don’t want to drink everyday would do better in a bottle. Especially, when you are giving some away for gifts or to take to a small get-together where a keg would be inappropriate. Bottles also let you add a custom label that personifies your beer or adds that personal touch and flare to the beer.
If you have the cash and space you can easily relieve yourself of the tedium of priming and bottling and enjoy the convenience and flexibility of a complete kegging setup. However, bottles will always have their place in the grand scheme of homebrewing.
On a side note, even if you are not a home beer brewer (yet) you could still use your own keg. Getting a beer drafted from your own crispy cold beer keg, condense sticking to the outside of your glass. That's refreshing even if you only think about it. It sounds a lot better than drinking from a can or bottle.
Drafting like a Pro
If you want your beer filled keg to be the perfect temperature (and you should) then you want to keep it refrigerated at all times, your best option would be a beer keg refrigerator. Lets take a look at some of the options we have and what kind of price tag you could find on them.
A Haier Keg Refrigerator at only $650 you draft a cold beer like a pro. The Haier has a Sankey tap system, adjustable thermostat and automatic defroster. Also included is a CO2 tank, separate hoses for beer and air.
If you have $1,000 lying around you there is this stainless steel, fingerprint-proof one-tap home beer keg refrigerator. Perfect for half or quarter kegs. It has a chrome tapping tower, drip tray, a single gauge regulator and many more options just perfect for that icy cold draft beer.
When you are more leaning toward a commercial quality type unit then you should be prepared to pay towards $3,700. For that money you can get a top of the line stainless steel outdoor kegerator. This beast is perfect if you like throwing parties on your patio. This beautiful refrigerator has a stainless steel finish and some sturdy casters which make moving the kegerator around very easy. You will also get 2 tower bars, 3 outside storage shelves, magnetic locking doors and an ice storage compartment. That's what they mean with commercial quality.
Drafting like a pro, for less money
If you don't have $650 plus lying around then a non-refrigerated ball lock beer keg is better suited for you. You will have a choice between a three or a five gallon beer keg. If you want to save some more money you could go for a used keg, those will you set you back from $25 to $50. Maybe it's better to save some more and go for a new beer keg at $125, this way you are certain that there won't be any transfer of flavors from someone else's beer that has been in a used keg.
Just make sure that your non-refrigerated keg is in a cool place like a basement. And while your out buying another beer keg think about any other supplies you may need while you at your local supply store. Things like hose clamps, ball lock connectors, thermometers, funnel, stopper, brushes, etc. etc.
Both Gregory Mclaw & Drew Brown are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Gregory Mclaw has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wine and Spirits, Desserts and Wine and Spirits. Gregory McLaw is a regular contributor to and enjoys brewing and drinking his own beer.. Gregory Mclaw's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
Drew Brown has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Food and Drink and Wine and Spirits. Drew Brown has one hobby and he loves to share it with the world. He just loves to brew his own beverages. . Drew Brown's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.