Everything You Need to Know About Beer Kegs
Brewing beer is a fun hobby, and to enjoy the fruits of your labour, you need to serve it properly. While you can bottle the beer, the best way to enjoy it is through kegging, which is the most popular choice among homebrewers. Kegging is quicker, simpler, and will provide you with the experience of a pub beer at home, in the comfort of your kitchen or backyard. In this article, we will discuss the basics of kegs, the advantages of using them, and the types of kegs available, as well as how to maintain them.
What’s a Beer Keg?
A keg is basically a pressurised vessel meant for storing and serving beer. Conventional kegs are made of stainless steel and are used to keep beer fresh by protecting it from oxygen and light. Kegs vary in size, ranging from small “mini kegs” that can hold a few litres of beer to full-sized commercial kegs found in pubs.
For a home brewer, the Cornelius is the most popular among durable and user-friendly beer kegs, commonly referred to as a “Corny keg.” This type of keg was originally used in the soft drink industry. It is easy to clean, easy to use, and ideal for home brewers who work with smaller batches of beer. A Cornelius keg holds about 19 litres of beer, which is about the same as a standard case of bottled beer.
The beauty of a keg is that you are able to carbonate and dispense your beer directly out of the keg. With the aid of a CO2 tank and regulator, you are able to set your level of carbonation and dispense beer on tap whenever you please. It is a very professional system that is surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it.
Benefits of Using Beer Kegs
There are several benefits that kegging can provide over bottling. For one, kegging saves time. Bottling a batch of beer requires sanitising dozens of bottles, filling each, and capping them. When you keg, you only need to sanitise and fill a single container, saving you hours of work.
Another benefit is that kegging allows you to provide a consistent product. When you keg your beer, you can control the level of carbonation. This way, you can ensure each glass has the same taste. Bottles, on the other hand, may not provide you with a consistent product, as the level of carbonation may differ from bottle to bottle. Moreover, kegging eliminates the threat of “bottle bombs” that may occur when you use too much sugar in priming your bottles.
Another benefit is that kegging allows you to provide a fresh product. Because kegs are sealed and pressurised, your beer will remain fresh for a longer period. For home brewers, providing a beer that will taste as good as possible is a big advantage.
Finally, there is the experience. There is no better feeling than pouring yourself a pint of beer from your own tap. It is social, fun, and adds to the authentic feel of home brewing. Whether you are entertaining mates for a barbecue or having a quiet evening in, having beer on tap makes the occasion more special.
How to Choose the Right Beer Keg
When it comes to selecting the best beer kegs for your needs, there are a few factors to consider, including your brewing objectives and the space you have for storage. If you’re new to kegging, Cornelius kegs are the most popular choice for beginners. They’re inexpensive, easy to clean, and can be found anywhere. Additionally, Cornelius kegs come in two different styles: ball lock or pin lock. The ball lock is slightly slimmer and taller, while the pin lock is shorter and wider. Both styles work perfectly, but ball lock fittings can be more easily obtained.
If you’re brewing larger quantities of beer or need to serve more than one variety at a given time, it might be worth investing in more than one keg. This way, you can alternate styles, such as having a pale ale in one keg and a stout in the other. Mini kegs can be great for outdoor excursions like picnics or camping trips.
Another factor that you should consider is your keg material. Stainless steel is used in most kegs since they are easy to maintain and durable. Plastic kegs are not very common and are not very durable either.
Maintenance and Cleaning
As with any brewing gear, the keg also requires proper maintenance in order for it to function optimally. This begins with cleaning, which is the most important maintenance task for the keg. This entails rinsing the keg with hot water after every use, followed by cleaning with a sanitiser that helps eliminate any impurities in the keg. Maintenance also entails checking the seals and O-rings, which are small pieces of rubber that may wear out and cause the keg to leak.
Kegging is one of the most rewarding aspects of home brewing. It saves time, keeps the beer fresher, and gives a professional look to your brewing system. From learning what a keg is to selecting the right keg and maintaining it, it is not a difficult process if you understand the basics.
