Priming a Tap-A-Draft

[mtjohnston]

Just got a Tap-A-Draft system, and I'm about to bottle my beer into it (in a week). I was wondering if there was anything different I should do for a Tap-A-Draft, then I would for glass bottles. Just stick to what the recipe says for priming sugar?

 

[jcdouglas]

I prime the way I do when I bottle and let it sit for 3 weeks. Then I put it in the fridge for at least 24 hours if not longer and drink away.

Make sure you tighten the cap appropriately, I had one leak and was flat even when I used teflon tape. However, I connected a CO2 tank, regulator, and TAD adapter at 10 psi to force carb it and it turned out fine.

I purchased some white caps with o-rings directly from the TAD company, and it seemed to fix my leak problem.

Enjoy the TAD, it's a convenient option over bottling.

 

[mtjohnston]

I prime the way I do when I bottle and let it sit for 3 weeks. Then I put it in the fridge for at least 24 hours if not longer and drink away.

Make sure you tighten the cap appropriately, I had one leak and was flat even when I used teflon tape. However, I connected a CO2 tank, regulator, and TAD adapter at 10 psi to force carb it and it turned out fine.

I purchased some white caps with o-rings directly from the TAD company, and it seemed to fix my leak problem.

Enjoy the TAD, it's a convenient option over bottling.

Thanks! Any way it could be done in 2 weeks? I was thinking of doing a couple bottles as well, that way I can try it early. I'm completely out of brews and can't wait to try it!!! Also having some friends over in a few weeks. :/

 

[mtjohnston]

Also, you said you connected a CO2 tank to it, to force carbonate, how did you go about that? I have a HUGE tank for filling my paintball CO2 canisters. Anyway to force carb with that?

 

[mtjohnston]

It's a 50-75 lb siphon CO2 tank.

 

[jcdouglas]

I won't lie, I've tried it once after 1.5 weeks and it still tasted good. It was slightly flat, so I set it to 10 psi on my regulator connected to my paintball tank, and the next day it tasted even better. Kind of a hybrid carbing between sugar and force carbing.

There are a couple of ways you can hook it up to a CO2 tank. I've never used a tank your size, but I'm sure you could make it work.

Here is one way, which I have not tried: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/home-draft-mini-kegerator-231800/

Another way is to directly connect it to a paintball tank via a regulator, which is what I did. I spent about $65 with this setup (regulator, TAD adapter, and paintball adapter), but it works well for me. You can either purchase a paintball tank adapter and connect it to the regulator: http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/search.php?search_query=paintball&x=0&y=0 However, since you fill paintball tanks, you probably already have a paintball CO2 adapter and you can use that to connect to a regulator similar to this setup: http://brewing.lustreking.com/gear/paintballco2.html. I also had to purchase a TAD adapter from ebay, http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338413729&icep_item=150632460885

It's just like this guy's setup:

I needed a regulator anyway, so it didn't bother me to spend the money.

FYI, I was able to purchase a Coors Light Draft system, which is similar to the TAD. You get a 1.5 gallon bottle with a tap for $15 to $17, which isn't a bad deal, considering it's also filled with beer. Then you will have an extra tap.

I hope this helps and I was somewhat clear.

 

[mtjohnston]

Thanks a ton, Doug! That's super helpful! Do you brew into the Coors container, or does it hook up to the TAD bottles?

 

[jcdouglas]

I keg using the Coors system.

 

[mtjohnston]

I keg using the Coors system.

Sweet. Thanks a ton man!

 

[crj5000]

Can the taps be interchanged between the TAD and the Coors/Miller? ie, Can the coors tap be screwed onto the TAD and can the TAD tap be screwed onto the Coors/Miller?

 

[jcdouglas]

Yes. You can also use the tap with a 3 liter bottle, typically found at some dollar stores. Although I use 3 liter bottles, I find that they tend to slowly leak with the tap installed, even with a lot of teflon tape, so I try to drink it within a week. I'm talking about the brown bottles with the new tap a draft system, I do not know if they fit the older bottles (blue).

FYI, there is a little "notch" on the Coors TAD that you should shave off so you can tighten it appropriately.

 

[moorerm04]

Yes. You can also use the tap with a 3 liter bottle, typically found at some dollar stores. Although I use 3 liter bottles, I find that they tend to slowly leak with the tap installed, even with a lot of teflon tape, so I try to drink it within a week. I'm talking about the brown bottles with the new tap a draft system, I do not know if they fit the older bottles (blue).

FYI, there is a little "notch" on the Coors TAD that you should shave off so you can tighten it appropriately.

X2 on "notch" I have had some of the miller/ coors tad's that would seal fine with the notch still on them, but I notice that after a couple reuses they don't seal as well and the notch needs to be removed in order to achieve a proper seal.

 

[crj5000]

Thanks for the tip. You can't beat $17 for a tap. They are $30 for the tap alone at midwest.

 

[crj5000]

I forgot to ask if they use co2 cartridges? Are they the same 16oz cartridges that the newer TAD taps use?

 

[limulus]

I won't lie, I've tried it once after 1.5 weeks and it still tasted good. It was slightly flat, so I set it to 10 psi on my regulator connected to my paintball tank, and the next day it tasted even better. Kind of a hybrid carbing between sugar and force carbing.

There are a couple of ways you can hook it up to a CO2 tank. I've never used a tank your size, but I'm sure you could make it work.

Here is one way, which I have not tried: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/home-draft-mini-kegerator-231800/

Another way is to directly connect it to a paintball tank via a regulator, which is what I did. I spent about $65 with this setup (regulator, TAD adapter, and paintball adapter), but it works well for me. You can either purchase a paintball tank adapter and connect it to the regulator: http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/search.php?search_query=paintball&x=0&y=0 However, since you fill paintball tanks, you probably already have a paintball CO2 adapter and you can use that to connect to a regulator similar to this setup: http://brewing.lustreking.com/gear/paintballco2.html. I also had to purchase a TAD adapter from ebay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-gram-CO2...885?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231264f255

It's just like this guy's setup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPw0H0jT14k

I needed a regulator anyway, so it didn't bother me to spend the money.

FYI, I was able to purchase a Coors Light Draft system, which is similar to the TAD. You get a 1.5 gallon bottle with a tap for $15 to $17, which isn't a bad deal, considering it's also filled with beer. Then you will have an extra tap.

I hope this helps and I was somewhat clear.

Do you know if this works with the old style TAD taps? I have two of the taps that take two cylinders.

 

[jcdouglas]

I don't have the old style TAD taps, but I'm about 99% sure it does not work (at least the setup I have). I would send a PM to rick689 to see if he's been able to create an adapter with the older style taps, I know that he was thinking about it.