Anyone go from kegging back to bottles

[cheezydemon3]

There is NO way I'd ever go back to bottling. If I couldn't keg anymore, I would quit brewing.

Saw that you had posted and figured you were thumping skulls! lol.

I used to be the biggest proponent of bottling.

Sitting on the other side of the fence, I am a lifetime Kegger.

Had a bad month last year, and we were maybe $50 short to pay all of our bills for the month. SWMBO suggested selling all of my kegging equipment. We are no longer married.....

I do miss giving away bottles, but as has been said (by me lol, need to listen to myself!) bottling a few, or even the whole batch from a KEG is EASY! I need to get back to that.

 

[pelipen]

I don't think I would give up kegging, but I did drop to two taps from three, and I bottle a lot of small batches. When I started kegging, I put everything in kegs, and got 5 kegs. Now I bottle half the batches, but I've also been doing experimental stuff, which I don't want kegged.
I only have two of the five filled now.

 

[Golddiggie]

I don't get all the bottle hate. It's about an hour or so extra work per batch. The beer keeps for a long time so it's easy to stack and store cases in the basement. I do a lot of Belgians and they improve with 6+ months conditioning in the bottle. In my beer fridge I have 8 different types of beers from various batches so there is a lot of variety vs the 2 kegs in a kegerator that could take me literally months to kick because I don't have beer drinking visitors often.

We don't hate the bottles, just losing 1-2 hours to filling them up then waiting 3+ weeks before chilling for another week (so about a month from bottling before you can start drinking). With kegging, I can be pouring pints in about two weeks from transfer day.

Shhh, they'll know we're here and attack....

BOTTLE CONDITIONING RULES!

Whoops, now I'm really going to hear about how stupid I am.

Since you already said it, no need for me to.

Yep, I totally agree. If I was bottling every batch, I would have quit years ago. I don't bottle beer at all anymore, except maybe once a year when I bottle from the keg to take a variety of beers to Texas with me. ( I do bottle all of my wine, and have about 350 bottles in my wine cellar!)

Otherwise, I just fill growlers when I want to take beer somewhere.

Here's my kegging routine:

Rack beer to keg.
Put in kegerator.
Put on the gas line
Put on the faucet line.
Come back in a week.

There isn't any "carbonation level", lines to clean or sanitize (at least, certainly not very often!), or anything to worry about. Seriously. Fill keg. Put in kegerator. Drink. When empty, take out of kegerator.

There is NO way I'd ever go back to bottling. If I couldn't keg anymore, I would quit brewing.

I make it easier by simply using CO2 to push the finished beer into serving kegs. Normally takes about 10-15 minutes to fill two 3 gallon kegs that way. How long really depends on which ID line I use (either 3/16" or 5/16") to do the transfer.

I'm getting close to the end of the beer I had bottled all those months ago. Since I also bottle from tap/keg when taking beer to family members (or giving it to friends), I'll use a decent amount of bottles. But, I probably won't keep more than what I would have needed for a full batch.

 

[cheezydemon3]

I make it easier by simply using CO2 to push the finished beer.....

This says it all. The Co2 does the work, even if bottling.

I used the keg to bottle 2 batches of beer and one of WINE halloween 2 ysr back.

Took me 45 minutes start to finish.

Prime first beer, rack beer in, fill from tap. cap.

Quick rinse keg, rack wine in. Fill all bottles (made SWMBO cork it's her wine)

Rinse Keg good. Prime beer and rack in. Fill from tap. Cap.

 

[Golddiggie]

This says it all. The Co2 does the work, even if bottling.

I used the keg to bottle 2 batches of beer and one of WINE halloween 2 ysr back.

Took me 45 minutes start to finish.

Prime first beer, rack beer in, fill from tap. cap.

Quick rinse keg, rack wine in. Fill all bottles (made SWMBO cork it's her wine)

Rinse Keg good. Prime beer and rack in. Fill from tap. Cap.

Beer I'll carbonate in keg with a CO2 feed. Much more reliable and even compared with bottle carbonating, IME... For my meads though, I'll bottle right from aging sanke keg (I have them setup with CO2 feeds and such). Use just a few PSI of CO2 and it moves right along nicely. IMO/IME, easier than lifting the aging keg onto a table, racking to bucket (or other keg to fill bottles from) and then filling the bottles. I eliminate the transfer step completely.

 

[Bobby_M]

It's a shame that people would stop kegging because they can't get a handle on carbonation and line balancing. Unfortunately the misinformation is so rampant that unless you talk to someone who actually has it figured out, you can struggle for a long time.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Beer I'll carbonate in keg with a CO2 feed. Much more reliable and even compared with bottle carbonating, IME... For my meads though, I'll bottle right from aging sanke keg (I have them setup with CO2 feeds and such). Use just a few PSI of CO2 and it moves right along nicely. IMO/IME, easier than lifting the aging keg onto a table, racking to bucket (or other keg to fill bottles from) and then filling the bottles. I eliminate the transfer step completely.

that Halloween party was a special event. I had envisioned BAD ASS labels for the event and also only had 2 kegs at that time.

I don't bottle at ALL anymore. Need to fix that.

 

[Golddiggie]

that Halloween party was a special event. I had envisioned BAD ASS labels for the event and also only had 2 kegs at that time.

I don't bottle at ALL anymore. Need to fix that.

I could put labels onto beers I bottle from keg/tap if I wanted to. I have the software and such, so it's not all that difficult. Just a matter of usually bottling from keg/tap on the quick, so I don't have the time to create the labels, print, trim, glue, etc. I do use an Epson label maker on them though, when bringing more than one kind someplace.

It's a shame that people would stop kegging because they can't get a handle on carbonation and line balancing. Unfortunately the misinformation is so rampant that unless you talk to someone who actually has it figured out, you can struggle for a long time.

IMO, not giving up is the key. Tweak the system until it works for you. You might need longer beer lines, different presser sets, etc. I refuse to give up on it that easily. I also like how if the carbonation level isn't where you want it to be (either high or low) you can actually DO something about it with kegs. With bottles, you're pretty much F'd if it's over carbonated. Plus waiting an extended period for higher ABV beers to carbonate can such. With kegging, the most it should take is 3-4 weeks at serving pressure for the temperature. Not the months upon months it can take in bottles.

 

[Frogmanx82]

So he blew up his new regulator and is just mad enough to sell the kegerator, 2 corny kegs and the CO2 tank for $400. Obviously the regulator is not included.

Good deal? I think I might just go for it.

 

[Golddiggie]

So he blew up his new regulator and is just mad enough to sell the kegerator, 2 corny kegs and the CO2 tank for $400. Obviously the regulator is not included.

Good deal? I think I might just go for it.

What was the regulator? If you can find out where he got it, get him to have the vendor/reseller send out a replacement. If it's a complete system, with at least a 5# CO2 tank, grab it. Provided the fridge/kegorator does a good job at holding temperatures.

It really sounds like he's not swift enough to use a kegging system. Which is great for you since you can snag it for a decent rate.

 

[stratslinger]

And what on earth did he do to "blow up" his new regulator??? I'm scratching my head trying to figure out a way to do such a thing, though admittedly the Stone RIS bomber I'm 2/3 into could be making that a little tougher...

 

[pelipen]

Wonder if it was a secondary without a high pressure primary in front of it. If I had a primary explode, I'd be after the supplier in a hot minute.

 

[Golddiggie]

And what on earth did he do to "blow up" his new regulator??? I'm scratching my head trying to figure out a way to do such a thing, though admittedly the Stone RIS bomber I'm 2/3 into could be making that a little tougher...

Remember the saying about making things idiot proof, but then bigger idiots will come around to defeat those measures? There's your sign.

Wonder if it was a secondary without a high pressure primary in front of it. If I had a primary explode, I'd be after the supplier in a hot minute.

Well, that's what any NORMAL person would do. Not just say fudge it and look to sell the hardware.

I'd find out the make/model of the regulator and where he got it. Reach out to them on his behalf and see if they'll send you a new regulator. It should be covered under warranty, unless he did something REALLY stupid. :fro:

 

[whitehause]

How old is he? He might be tired of lifting the kegs. When I built a keezer and put a collar on it, I started siphoning right in to the keg while it's in the keezer. I'm 6' 220 and still don't like lifting kegs over the collar.

I'll still bottle some of my specialty brews(porters,pumpkin ale,Belgians),but my regulars are always kegged.

 

[Golddiggie]

How old is he? He might be tired of lifting the kegs. When I built a keezer and put a collar on it, I started siphoning right in to the keg while it's in the keezer. I'm 6' 220 and still don't like lifting kegs over the collar.

I'll still bottle some of my specialty brews(porters,pumpkin ale,Belgians),but my regulars are always kegged.

He's been using a kegorator, not a keezer. So he'll be lifting more, higher, if he goes back to bottling (siphoning and such)...

I don't lift either the source, or destination for the finished beer. Fermenting keg is at ground level, and so is the destination keg. CO2 push moves the finished beer into the serving kegs. If I get a keezer, I'll be able to do it with the kegs there too. Although lifting 5 gallons of beer over the edge shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Grossy]

Of all the things that I have done to improve my brewing experience, kegging is the number one thing that has produced the most satisfaction.

I used to dread bottling. The only thing I can think of, is that your son-in-law's dad has forgotten why he switched to kegging.

Convince him to keep his keg system. Once he start bottling again, he will be switching back to kegs soon.

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

It seems i am the only one that has switched from kegs to bottles. When i first started brewing i jumped in whole hog and bought a three keg system before my first batch was done fermenting and my roommate and i built a kegerator out of a 1962 AMC made Kelvinator fridge. Then my roommate moved out and i sold all the keg stuff to him and went back to bottle only. Bottling is more work and takes longer but i enjoy it more. Plus i dont have an extra fridge running all the time and sucking electricity and now that im the only beer drinker in the house i might drink a six pack a week so bottles are just more convenient and relaxing for me.

 

[Golddiggie]

It seems i am the only one that has switched from kegs to bottles. When i first started brewing i jumped in whole hog and bought a three keg system before my first batch was done fermenting and my roommate and i built a kegerator out of a 1962 AMC made Kelvinator fridge. Then my roommate moved out and i sold all the keg stuff to him and went back to bottle only. Bottling is more work and takes longer but i enjoy it more. Plus i dont have an extra fridge running all the time and sucking electricity and now that im the only beer drinker in the house i might drink a six pack a week so bottles are just more convenient and relaxing for me.

When I was looking at brew fridges I checked the power usage on them. IF I had the fridge temp set to the 'normal' range (it's set higher since it has my beer in it), it would use less than $40 of power per year. Your 1962 fridge probably used several/many times that. Basically, appliances made in the last ~5 years have become so energy efficient the argument about power use is null and void.

I really enjoy being able to pull a pint, or smaller or larger, glass of what I have on tap (three brews at a time). I probably average between 1 and 2 pints a day/night. Even using 3 gallon kegs, it can take me a while to get one to kick this way. I also have a spot in the fridge for a keg to be carbonating, while the three taps are in use. That way I have a keg ready to go on tap when one kicks.

I really can't see going back to just bottling again.

 

[Frogmanx82]

I had been ok with my bottling but looking at all the replies here, it would seem foolish not to try kegging if I have the space and the cash and am looking at brewing at least once a month. The thing with the bottles is that it's not just bottling day. Its a whole process of handling the bottles after they are opened. Now that I'm not delabeling bottles anymore its a bit simpler, but kegging does seem to be the way to go.

 

[Golddiggie]

I had been ok with my bottling but looking at all the replies here, it would seem foolish not to try kegging if I have the space and the cash and am looking at brewing at least once a month. The thing with the bottles is that it's not just bottling day. Its a whole process of handling the bottles after they are opened. Now that I'm not delabeling bottles anymore its a bit simpler, but kegging does seem to be the way to go.

Not only that, but depending on what you brew, and how much, you could be storing a few cases of bottles (or more) for months while it carbonates (higher ABV brews can take significantly longer to bottle carbonate). With a kegging system you can carbonate on gas (2-3 weeks at serving pressure and temp will carbonate pretty much anything) and then pull some off into bottles if you wish. You can even fill a growler (or several) from a keg if you wish.

I have had my 12.5% wee heavy in a [5 gallon] keg, carbonating on gas. I used Wyeast 1728 in the batch, so chances are (if I bottled it) it wouldn't do so well for bottle carbonating without using another yeast. I don't want to add another yeast to a brew JUST to get carbonation. Plus, since I was planning to keg it anyway... I need to sample some soon, to see how it's getting along for carbonation. I have another partial fill (2.5 gallon) keg of it that I need to carbonate too. I might not have that on the CO2 feed due to not enough connections at the time. I might alter the second manifold from that configuration so that I can put another keg on it.

Something else that's great about a kegging setup. You can carbonate pretty much any liquid you want. Want to make sparkling grape juice? Keg up some and put it on the CO2 feed. Seltzer anyone? Take part of that mead you started last year and keg a portion (instead of bottling) and you can carbonate that to the level you want without any of the issues with using yeast. Especially if it's either at the tolerance of the yeast, or above it, that was used. The possibilities are almost endless.

 

[theveganbrewer]

IMO the perfect homebrew setup is 100 bottles for beers to want to age, 5+ kegs for your quick drinkers, and a bottling adapter for your keg faucet so you can make growler pours or do bottle fills for competitions.

Kegging is so far from being a PITA I can't comprehend this problem.

 

[Golddiggie]

IMO the perfect homebrew setup is 100 bottles for beers to want to age, 5+ kegs for your quick drinkers, and a bottling adapter for your keg faucet so you can make growler pours or do bottle fills for competitions.

Kegging is so far from being a PITA I can't comprehend this problem.

Not sure if, or how many, bottles I'll fill of my bigger brews now. With having the basement as cool as it is, they're pretty much at serving temp there. I might just fab up a box to hold them and put some taps onto. Maybe see if I can locate a HVAC guy to make me something to chill them down a little during the summer/warmer months (when the basement might hit the low 60's)... Or I'll just use ice packs during those months. :rockin:

I'm looking to get rid of 1-1/2 cases of long necks (well, mostly long necks one 6 pack has slightly shorter bottles)... I'm looking at keeping another case of them and the three cases of swing-top bottles, plus my Belgian bottles (750ml and 375ml)... Might sell off some of the 375ml Belgian bottles soon though.

 

[BreezyBrew]

I could put labels onto beers I bottle from keg/tap if I wanted to. I have the software and such, so it's not all that difficult. Just a matter of usually bottling from keg/tap on the quick, so I don't have the time to create the labels, print, trim, glue, etc. I do use an Epson label maker on them though, when bringing more than one kind someplace.

IMO, not giving up is the key. Tweak the system until it works for you. You might need longer beer lines, different presser sets, etc. I refuse to give up on it that easily. I also like how if the carbonation level isn't where you want it to be (either high or low) you can actually DO something about it with kegs. With bottles, you're pretty much F'd if it's over carbonated. Plus waiting an extended period for higher ABV beers to carbonate can such. With kegging, the most it should take is 3-4 weeks at serving pressure for the temperature. Not the months upon months it can take in bottles.

I agree with all of this. Every system is different. And for what it's worth, I've heard people say their "usual pressure" is anywhere from 6 to 12 psi. That's a lot of tinkering.

 

[Golddiggie]

I agree with all of this. Every system is different. And for what it's worth, I've heard people say their "usual pressure" is anywhere from 6 to 12 psi. That's a lot of tinkering.

Only tinkering when you're setting up, really. I have my CO2 tank outside the fridge, so checking/adjusting is pretty damned easy. I'm also not above adjusting the pressure above/below the chart to get what I want. IME, those numbers are a good starting point. But, as mentioned, you need to tweak it to match your system.

I need to take another picture, but you can see [part of] the [dual body] regulator on the right edge of the picture. My 20# CO2 tank is connected to that. I've also added a KC sticker to the freezer section door.

Manly tap handles :

 

[pelipen]

I think people tinker too much. Start with reasonable pressures, long lines, and set/forget. Walk away for two weeks, and 90% of the time everything is fine. Obviously do due diligence leak checking first.

If you start rushing things, eventually you'll find a method that works, but you've got to be willing to sacrifice that time and beer.

 

[Frogmanx82]

So I'm going to pick up this kegerator today. Any suggestions on the regulator? It needs to pressure two kegs. Is there anything I need to be looking for?

 

[Ryush806]

So I'm going to pick up this kegerator today. Any suggestions on the regulator? It needs to pressure two kegs. Is there anything I need to be looking for?

Are you wanting the kegs at two different pressures?

 

[Frogmanx82]

Are you wanting the kegs at two different pressures?

I think I'd like that option.

 

[BadWolfBrewing]

I've seen secondary pressure regulators for pretty cheap. The primary regulator steps down the CO2 bottle pressure down to 20 or so, and then a bunch of low pressure secondary regulators are used. I saw a pic once on here with about 10 of these low pressure regulators in parallel, to get 10 different pressures. Seems overkill to me...

 

[the_trout]

So I'm going to pick up this kegerator today. Any suggestions on the regulator? It needs to pressure two kegs. Is there anything I need to be looking for?

I've got this one.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/double-gas-regulator.html
Im happy with it although Im sure you could fine one for a few bucks less if you looked around.