Heineken Mini-Kegs

[Kelly]

The Class Six (base liquor store) has mini-kegs of Heineken avaliable. I didnt catch the price but if they are reasonable, are they worth buying? I'm looking for an economical way to keg, but cant afford a full setup plus dedicated fridge. I've been going two to three times a week to get 12 packs of Red Hook samplers (IPA, ESB, Blonde and Autumn Ales), and just noticed these.

We have a lot of foreign pilots here so I assume they requested them. Anyway, should I pick them up? What's reasonable? They looked like there was some stuff attached to the top. Maybe Co2 cartridges?

[DannyW]

If they have a single bunghole with a probe and CO2 fittings, then you could reuse them for homebrew. I'm not so sure about the double-bung style where you are supposed to open a vent on top and pour from the bottom. Those look to me like you'd have a hard time sealing them back up.

[Gucci Pilot]

Kelly, I just bought one of these in Sigonella. You would have a hard time force carbonating your beer. Also, I tried to "reuse" the tap and it fell apart. If you want to keep it cheap, you can try the party pig. I think you might be able to naturally carbonate your beer and dispense using the CO2 cartridges. I have also bought a used 3 gallon keg and used a portable regulator that can fit into a standard refrigerator.


Darin

[barleypopmaker]

I use the mini kegs all time and they have the little spout at the bottom, as a matter of fact those are the ones that came with the mini-keg system over at NB. The only down side is they are hard to clean, but aside from that they are a cheap and easy way to transport beer. You can get empty kegs for about 7 or 8 dollars each. I got the mini-keg system with the philtap, 4 mini kegs, 4 bungs, and a box of co2 along with the charger for like $90 bucks. You cannot force carbonate in them, you have to condition them like you do bottles, but you use less sugar in the kegs than you do bottles. If you are interested in them you can check out my mini keg draftbox.
http://www.geocities.com/barleypopmaker/draftbox.html

[Thirsty Mallard]

I hate you Barleypooper... now I have another project I am going to be obsessed over... damn you...

All kidding aside, that is awesome! I have been looking for a good way to take homebrew to tailgates, and that may be my solution! Kudos!

[Homegrown Hops]

I use the mini kegs all time and they have the little spout at the bottom, as a matter of fact those are the ones that came with the mini-keg system over at NB. The only down side is they are hard to clean, but aside from that they are a cheap and easy way to transport beer. You can get empty kegs for about 7 or 8 dollars each. I got the mini-keg system with the philtap, 4 mini kegs, 4 bungs, and a box of co2 along with the charger for like $90 bucks. You cannot force carbonate in them, you have to condition them like you do bottles, but you use less sugar in the kegs than you do bottles. If you are interested in them you can check out my mini keg draftbox.
http://www.geocities.com/barleypopmaker/draftbox.html

Holy shit barleypopmaker that is a damn nice setup you have. It solidifies the good ole "liquid lunch" and puts a nice DIY spin on it as well. Now if you can make it look like a briefcase or laptop computer you can make millions!

HH

[JMUBrew]

Shweet....

[jeepguy]

i bought one a couple months back.
they have some sort of co2 canister glued to the inside bottem.
it wont fit out the hole in top. tap sucks too.
i had to cut the opening bigger but still didnt get the little plastic part thats glued in the bottem to hold the co2 canister.
i am building the plastic 3 liter bottle style instead. those are only like $2 full of soda. found the idea at this site.

http://home.swbell.net/bufkin/cheap_3_liter_kegs.htm