Cask Help/Opinions Wanted!

[jdround]

Ok, been looking through these threads and found a lot of great info on doing cask. I am not looking at investing $400-500 on a professional hand pull engine. So I have a rocket hand pump on order that I am going to use as my engine...

OPTION 1.
Here is where I am thinking. I see people reuse mini kegs. Could I take a straight piece of copper tubing, have it go through the top of the bunk and into the mini keg, about 1.5" off the bottom of the mini keg and hook it to the hand pull engine? I figured if the copper tube was sanitised, why not.

OPTION 2.
I also see people using the polypins. I was able to get my hands on a 2.5 gal as the smallest. If I was to load the polypin with 1 gallon, would this be ok only being half full? Lets face it, going for a flatter beer anyhow, and its vacuumed somewhat, so min. air inside and I thought this would give it more expansion room and now blow...

I love cask ale and don't have the funds to go to a full keg setup. I can get a small cask system going pretty cheap and I love the stuff. What are your thoughts and opinions on my two suggestions for containing the cask ale.

Thanks and Cheers!
John

 

[dyqik]

Northern Brewer sell 1 gallon polycubes for $3.25 each if you want to do 1 gallon at a time.

But yes, there shouldn't be a problem with putting 1 gallon in a 2.5 gallon cube for Option 2 - just compress it before filling, and then fill through the tap, to avoid getting too much air in.

 

[JuanMoore]

I wouldn't leave copper in contact with fermented beer for prolonged periods of time.

 

[Yooper]

I wouldn't leave copper in contact with fermented beer for prolonged periods of time.

Copper + fermented beer = poison.

A piece of stainless steel, on the other hand is fine.

 

[jdround]

thanks for that. in the back of one of my brewing books I actually just come across the fact that copper can be poison if used in that manor.

also never thought to fill it through the tap. good idea and think is what I will do.