Who prefers bottling over kegging?
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close to 50 gallons of beer and it probably took less time to keg then to bottle a 5 gallon batch
Good man! I have 30 gallons all kegged, oh! and a spare 15 hours!
LOL! I'll need that 15 hours come spring. Maybe I'll start looking for a couple of small kegs, can't hurt. I'm sure the summer help will appreciate it.
But you are stuck at home hoping somebody stops by who isn't hitting the big party.
no actually im not
but im not missing the big party cause im too busy bottling..thats for damn sure
cheezydemon3
Well-Known Member
NOT ONE PERSON WHO HAS EVER KEGGED says that bottling is better.
NOT ONE PERSON who has ever bottled has said that it is without merit.
Like most anything, a BALANCE is best.
A BALANCE is not NEVER kegging. A BALANCE is not NEVER bottling.
The true evolution of a brewer is:
Bottling...
Kegging...
Realizing that bottling some batches is worth it....while still mostly kegging.
I HAVE ARIVED
NOT ONE PERSON who has ever bottled has said that it is without merit.
Like most anything, a BALANCE is best.
A BALANCE is not NEVER kegging. A BALANCE is not NEVER bottling.
The true evolution of a brewer is:
Bottling...
Kegging...
Realizing that bottling some batches is worth it....while still mostly kegging.
I HAVE ARIVED
Can we all just give each other one big group hug!
Kegging is better *sticks tongue out and runs away*
Kegging is better *sticks tongue out and runs away*
Bottling is not bad, and I don't think anyone is trying to say it is; and in some cases it has advantages over kegging. I think we can all agree that both kegging and bottling have benefits. What I am saying is that a keg system allows you to bottle beer, thus giving you all the benefits of both systems; making it superior.
If you love filling bottles with your kids, or enjoy the personal nature of it, or the joy you find in the whole process of bottling, or think that sugar primed beer is better, it is all still possible with a keg. Bottling on the other hand is just that, you miss out on the pro's a keg system offers.
That doesn't mean your beer is bad, it just means that you could upgrade your process to maximize the benefits both systems offer.
If you love filling bottles with your kids, or enjoy the personal nature of it, or the joy you find in the whole process of bottling, or think that sugar primed beer is better, it is all still possible with a keg. Bottling on the other hand is just that, you miss out on the pro's a keg system offers.
That doesn't mean your beer is bad, it just means that you could upgrade your process to maximize the benefits both systems offer.
Sorry there is no advantage to bottling over kegging..i dont know why people keep saying that on this thread..not atacking you but its non sense..kegging has all the advantages
That's a valid point, when doing it differently means that someone could die then it's fine to be a stickler.
nah, no one woulda been hurt. I just think he should build things the way I do. because I'm right. all the time.
QuercusMax
Well-Known Member
As someone who has just gotten a 6-tap keezer, and bottled over 50 batches in the last year (shh, don't tell the Feds), these are my thoughts:
Session beers on tap are awesome. Love it. It's amazing. Pouring an Imperial pint of Best Bitter, Dortmunder, Black IPA (1.064ish), Dry Stout, or Cherry Cider is so much better than pouring from a bottle with sediment in the bottom. Or I can have several half pints. I can pour a flight when friends are over. Or fill a growler to bring to band practice. It's great.
Big beers on tap? A waste of a good keg. I plan on cellaring an RIS and Doppelbock for a long time. Could I ever really consider putting that on tap? Doesn't make sense.
Both have their place. But I'm a firm believer in kegging now.
Session beers on tap are awesome. Love it. It's amazing. Pouring an Imperial pint of Best Bitter, Dortmunder, Black IPA (1.064ish), Dry Stout, or Cherry Cider is so much better than pouring from a bottle with sediment in the bottom. Or I can have several half pints. I can pour a flight when friends are over. Or fill a growler to bring to band practice. It's great.
Big beers on tap? A waste of a good keg. I plan on cellaring an RIS and Doppelbock for a long time. Could I ever really consider putting that on tap? Doesn't make sense.
Both have their place. But I'm a firm believer in kegging now.
Bottling has 1 advantage, I preffer it over kegging
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I plan on upgrading to kegging just as soon as I have the space as I greatly prefer it over bottling. But until that day, I will never ever have to worry about a keg blowing an o-ring or something knocking the tap open inadvertently and dumping 5 gallons of beer on the floor. I hope that never happens to you, but if it does I will mourn the loss of your beer and then laugh at you for your arrogance.
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I'll take those in exchange for never having to worry about bottle bombs any day of the week.
Really? well that's too bad you took that as arrogance..but sorry bottling is wack...i did not make this sh@@ up...just the way it is..if some people like bottling god bless them...go get em champ
Black Island Brewer
An Ode to Beer
Wrong again! Read page 1. Sold it all, not going back, I like bottling better.
Bottle bombs are an issue controllable by the brewer. Use the proper amount of priming sugar, mix properly and you won't have bottle bombs. Blowing an o-ring or something accidentally knocking your tap open is not controllable by the brewer. You can mitigate it, but when it happens you can't control it. It's a risk inherent with the use of the system whereas bottle bombs can be prevented with proper process.
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Well, first, I just said I prefer kegging, just pointing out a flaw in your reasoning. Second:
Arrogance: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in *presumptuous claims or assumptions*
Your presumptuous claim that kegging has *all* the advantages is simply wrong as I pointed out with my examples and therefore your attitude constitutes arrogance.
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LakesideBrewing
Well-Known Member
This thread is hilarious! I really can't believe there is an 18 page argument over what is better. The beauty of homebrewing is you get do to what is good for you. If you enjoy your beer kegged, keg it. You like bottles, bottle it. If the beer is good and your procedure is correct, the beer will be fine. Talk of 'bottle bombs' and 'blown o-rings' is weak; accidents can happen with everything.
For the record: I've been homebrewing since 1992 and I keg and bottle my beer.
-Cheers!
For the record: I've been homebrewing since 1992 and I keg and bottle my beer.
-Cheers!
BeerLoverHere
Well-Known Member
For those whose argument to not bottle because kegging saves time, true, but not that much. I don't think most homebrewers are worried about time as it is already so time consuming. If you are so worried about time, then buy a Mr. Beer kit. You can make that and put in a keg with no more than 10-15 minutes worth of "work"
CliffMongoloid
Well-Known Member
who perfers bottling over kegging?- communists thats who
the one disadvantage you pointed out can be simply fixed but installing tap locks..so yes it is controllable
When I started kegging, I thought I'd still bottle some batches. That didn't happen. Kegging was just way too convenient. I even kegged sours beers.
So I planned to bottle from the keg, which is not hard at all to do. I haven't done that either (I did a few once, just for kicks).
I got a carbonator cap and a 2L bottle (not sure what my plan was with this). I haven't bothered with that either.
I'm not going to get into the religious battle here about which is better, kegging or bottling, but for me kegging won in a landslide. If you guys have seen my two-handed bottling setup, you know I was once a bottling machine!
So I planned to bottle from the keg, which is not hard at all to do. I haven't done that either (I did a few once, just for kicks).
I got a carbonator cap and a 2L bottle (not sure what my plan was with this). I haven't bothered with that either.
I'm not going to get into the religious battle here about which is better, kegging or bottling, but for me kegging won in a landslide. If you guys have seen my two-handed bottling setup, you know I was once a bottling machine!
There's no such thing as a blown o-ring lock.
This is going nowhere dude..been kegging for years never had a blown o ring not once...if you maintain your gaskets that wont happen..anyway im done with this retarded thread..have a great day..cheers
MotorcycleMatt
Well-Known Member
I had a couple of beers out of the keg last night then one from a bottle, was craaaazy
Whether you've experienced it or not is not the point. It's still a risk and therefore a disadvantage. Also there's the cost and effort of maintaining said seals, and I'll grant you both are minimal, but it's more expensive than not changing out caps.
Look, I'm not trying to say bottling is better, I don't think it is. I was just trying to prove the point that kegging doesn't have all the advantages, as you so arrogantly stated.
Wow. I can't believe some of the things people find to argue about.
its_manbearpig
Well-Known Member
I bottle and don't want to keg. I've thought about it, but then I always wonder something:
Let's say I took the time and money to build myself a respectable keezer, furnished it with kegs, CO2 tank, parts, hoses, etc. Then over time, there's an ongoing cost for electricity, CO2 refills and small repairs like O-rings and such. Also, there's time spent maintaining the system - checking pressure, troubleshooting and repairing small problems, cleaning - 2 minutes here, 10 minutes there - it adds up.
If I just continued bottling, it would remain low cost but the whole bottling process does eat up lots of time. Maybe once in a while some will explode and I'll lose beer, but I've been pretty good at it overall. But I do need those caps...
What I want to know is: Wouldn't the money and time investment from the kegging scenario equal the low cost/extra time investment in the bottling scenario?
I know transferring beer from a fermenter to a keg is crazy simple, but I think the bottling vs. kegging argument is just six of one, half a dozen of the other.
They've got to balance each other out. Someone needs to make a graph. This is the internet, guys. Let's get down to brass tacks.
Let's say I took the time and money to build myself a respectable keezer, furnished it with kegs, CO2 tank, parts, hoses, etc. Then over time, there's an ongoing cost for electricity, CO2 refills and small repairs like O-rings and such. Also, there's time spent maintaining the system - checking pressure, troubleshooting and repairing small problems, cleaning - 2 minutes here, 10 minutes there - it adds up.
If I just continued bottling, it would remain low cost but the whole bottling process does eat up lots of time. Maybe once in a while some will explode and I'll lose beer, but I've been pretty good at it overall. But I do need those caps...
What I want to know is: Wouldn't the money and time investment from the kegging scenario equal the low cost/extra time investment in the bottling scenario?
I know transferring beer from a fermenter to a keg is crazy simple, but I think the bottling vs. kegging argument is just six of one, half a dozen of the other.
They've got to balance each other out. Someone needs to make a graph. This is the internet, guys. Let's get down to brass tacks.
I'm done with this thread after this (yeah yeah I said that 100 posts ago I know)
Checking pressure? Yeah that takes all of a glance at the gauge... 2 seconds and a fart later and your done. If I want I can pour an ounce sample (hmmm I think I mentioned that earlier only to hear "ive never had someone ask me for just an ounce" to check carbonation. What process and how long does it take when that 15% ris you brewed just doesn't wanna carbonate? I just up the pressure on the regulator.. have fun opening all your bottles to add more yeast ...when my carbonation is right I can dispense my perfectly Carbed beer into bottles so there goes your whole "I like to bottle because it becomes my me time and that's why I don't keg".
Blown o rings? Yeah I'm not buying that... only problems I've ever had has been with used kegs where the opening is jacked up and it won't seal... at which point guess what!? You got yourself a corny keg fermenter. If the orings go bad omg watch out hope your wealthy cause it's about to get expensive LOL.. I might splurge and get the oring kit including replacement poppets for a whopping 10 dollars. Bottle caps cost money too don't they? I'll bet my orings last longer then 10 dollars worth of bottle caps. Straight up kegging vs straight up bottling ...kegging takes way less time and I can still bottle my beer from the keg and store just like you guys that carb with priming sugar.
To wrap it all up and to yet again sound like a parrot the only real disadvantages to kegging are startup money and space... I save time and get sediment free and portable (don't you hate it when you move your bottle conditioned beers to your friends house and you pour one out and its cloudy and yeasty) beer that will last just as long in the bottle if not longer. Is bottling cheaper? Yes. Equal results from bottle priming vs kegging?.... I personally don't think so. Is a certain level of oxidation and or yeastiness appropriate to certain styles of beer?.. yeah I suppose but I can dispense from my keg under a blanket of co2 and prime with sugar and probably replicate that.
With all that being said I'm done with this thread. I know I won't change any of the currently posting naysayers minds but hopefully I can change a future New brewers mind. That's what my brew buddy did for me and I'm sooo glad I skipped it and went straight to kegging.
Most of the time I'm arguing about something, on here at least, it's more about principle than taking any real offense. I'm going to keep doing what works for me or what my situation allows me regardless of what anyone else says. Plus, I'm a hardcore pedant so it's interesting (fun, even) to see people's reaction when the tiniest detail is disputed. F***, I have way too much time on my hands. Oh well, I'm going to have a beer and gracefully exit this thread.
cheezydemon3
Well-Known Member
OK. I have found a GOOD metaphor.
Online Bill pay. Invariably people tell me "OH I'm old fashioned!" or "I like writing checks".
I have NEVER heard anyone who found that they could pay 10 bills in 40 seconds online, say "Well, this is nice, but I'd rather write checks".
Security aside, (although with CHASE, paying bills online is 100% safer than checks) no one is going to get your financial info by kegging, this is pure convenience and time comparable.
My point?
You may thought you were fine living in the stone age, but that wheel thing you said "meh" about? No one can live without it in the year 2013.
*Jesus you all are annoying, yes you could live in an effing monastary or something but DO YOU????*
Online Bill pay. Invariably people tell me "OH I'm old fashioned!" or "I like writing checks".
I have NEVER heard anyone who found that they could pay 10 bills in 40 seconds online, say "Well, this is nice, but I'd rather write checks".
Security aside, (although with CHASE, paying bills online is 100% safer than checks) no one is going to get your financial info by kegging, this is pure convenience and time comparable.
My point?
You may thought you were fine living in the stone age, but that wheel thing you said "meh" about? No one can live without it in the year 2013.
*Jesus you all are annoying, yes you could live in an effing monastary or something but DO YOU????*
Rhumbline
Well-Known Member
No, you really didn't, and the monastery reference was even further off point. No one joins a religious order and takes up that lifestyle because it's the "logical" thing or because it's easy.
No one joins the Marine Corps thinking "This should be easier than spending four years hanging around college chicks" sometimes we choose to do things that are not easy to defend from a logical point of view or that others could understand, but we're still convinced that we did the right thing for us.
But let's return to the absurdity of the statement that kegging is easier and therefore superior to bottling.
If it was about saving time and effort, only an idiot would choose to homebrew at all. I can buy beer already made, easy as pie and with a variety and quality that no homebrewer could hope to match. and THAT is indisputable.
You really can't let go of this, can you? It really disturbs you that much that some random stranger looked at the same set of data and came to a different conclusion than you. Not all of us have the same motivations, or want the same thing.
And if convenience was any part of the equation, nobody in the western world would be a homebrewer.
cheezydemon3
Well-Known Member
Well Holy Dog Sex!!!!! Why didn't I see it????
So taking as much time as possible and as much trouble as you can is good!
OK!!
Lets all:
Grow our own barley
Grow our own wheat
Grow our own Hops
Grow our own Sugar (or corn)
Make our own bottles
Make our own fermenters
:smack:
Rhumbline
Well-Known Member
You've unwittingly made my argument. That sometimes the real or imagined gains are not worth the trouble of the additional effort.
I'm sure that hops growers could argue just as passionately about the superiority of using home cultivated hops.
You still haven't answered my question...
WHY do you care that I bottle my beer?
Because, you're starting to sound like a dick about this. So...
answer the question. "Why do you care that I bottle my beer?"
Why do you care that he cares?
While I do appreciate the sport of useless internet jousting, and do occasionally participate myself, I'm going to close this one. This is not the debate forum and this can go nowhere but (more) down.
Cheers, bottlers or keggers.
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