First kegging experience

[chadm817]

I Am on my second batch of homebrew. My first batch are in bottles and have been carbonating for 4 days. I tried it early like I am sure everyone does on their first batch and it wasn't carbonated so I'll try one in a week or so.

Anyway I have the equipment for keg and no more available bottles so I figured this would be a great time to get experience kegging.

I've watched some videos and read but they haven't answered my questions.

So here they are:

- I have bottled co2 but hypothetically could I use priming sugar if needed and carb that way?
- ok so I but the beer in the keg and I hook up co2. The co2 can't go in the fridge right?
- how do I get the beer cold and carbonated then?
- do I need a fridge with a hole in it for the tubes to run out of fridge for the co2?
-once I force carbonation how long does the beer last?

Thank you in advance..... Newbie!!

 

[duboman]

I Am on my second batch of homebrew. My first batch are in bottles and have been carbonating for 4 days. I tried it early like I am sure everyone does on their first batch and it wasn't carbonated so I'll try one in a week or so.

Anyway I have the equipment for keg and no more available bottles so I figured this would be a great time to get experience kegging.

I've watched some videos and read but they haven't answered my questions.

So here they are:

- I have bottled co2 but hypothetically could I use priming sugar if needed and carb that way?
Yes, but you only use half the amount of priming sugar and keep the keg at room temp like the bottles
- ok so I but the beer in the keg and I hook up co2. The co2 can't go in the fridge right?
No, there is no issue with the co2 tank in the fridge if you have the room
- how do I get the beer cold and carbonated then?
You ideally chill the keg down first and then hook up the co2, cold beer carbs easier than warm
- do I need a fridge with a hole in it for the tubes to run out of fridge for the co2?
See above
-once I force carbonation how long does the beer last?
However long it takes you to kick the keg, it's really no different than in the bottle, if not longer

Thank you in advance..... Newbie!!

Hope that all helps!

 

[freisste]

I Am on my second batch of homebrew. My first batch are in bottles and have been carbonating for 4 days. I tried it early like I am sure everyone does on their first batch and it wasn't carbonated so I'll try one in a week or so. Anyway I have the equipment for keg and no more available bottles so I figured this would be a great time to get experience kegging. I've watched some videos and read but they haven't answered my questions. So here they are: - I have bottled co2 but hypothetically could I use priming sugar if needed and carb that way? - ok so I but the beer in the keg and I hook up co2. The co2 can't go in the fridge right? - how do I get the beer cold and carbonated then? - do I need a fridge with a hole in it for the tubes to run out of fridge for the co2? -once I force carbonation how long does the beer last? Thank you in advance..... Newbie!!

Most force carb (use bottled CO2 for carbonation and serving), but some use sugar to carb and CO2 to serve. So to answer your question you CAN use sugar.

CO2 CAN go in the fridge. That's where mine is. It makes telling how full your canister is a little more tricky, but it works fine.

Like I said, CO2 and keg in the fridge. Both cold, beer carbed.

Fridge with hole: you don't need to do it that way, but some do. If your fridge is small, drill a hole. If your option is a single tower, single keg with CO2 canister inside OR dual tower, dual keg with the canister outside, DRILL THAT HOLE!

Once force carbed (and it is even better if you can purge your keg of oxygen first to get rid of all of it), a keg will last a long time. I brewed an Oktoberfest in March for a party last weekend (early November). After brewing, I kegged it and put it on CO2 to carb and lager at the same time. Once lagered for a month (early April), it sat in my basement all summer. Tossed it back in the kegerator two weeks ago and it was a hit at the party.

Good luck with the kegging. Also, if you have any equipment issues/questions, there is a dedicated kegging section on these forums that is a great resource.

P.S. If your kegging system came with 4-5' beer lines, replace them. Seems to be too short for any system. I've heard a hundred people complain about foamy pours, and I've never once seen someone defend a 5' line... Go right to 10'.

 

[NathPowe]

I Am on my second batch of homebrew. My first batch are in bottles and have been carbonating for 4 days. I tried it early like I am sure everyone does on their first batch and it wasn't carbonated so I'll try one in a week or so.

Anyway I have the equipment for keg and no more available bottles so I figured this would be a great time to get experience kegging.

I've watched some videos and read but they haven't answered my questions.

So here they are:

- I have bottled co2 but hypothetically could I use priming sugar if needed and carb that way?
- ok so I but the beer in the keg and I hook up co2. The co2 can't go in the fridge right?
- how do I get the beer cold and carbonated then?
- do I need a fridge with a hole in it for the tubes to run out of fridge for the co2?
-once I force carbonation how long does the beer last?

Thank you in advance..... Newbie!!

- Yes, you can use priming sugar and carb naturally in a keg if you want to. I use half the amount of sugar required for bottling the same amount of beer when naturally carbing in a keg. Others will probably chime in with different thoughts on this, but half works for me. You can also use your bottled CO2 to force carbonate your beer (see below).
- Yes, the CO2 tank can go in the frig. It can also be outside the frig. Doesn't matter either way.
- You have a couple of options. To naturally carb, rack the beer to a keg and add your priming sugar solution. Then seal the keg's lid with a good blast of CO2 (20-30psi should do it) and let it sit for a couple weeks at room temp. It will carb up like bottles. To force carb, there are a few different options but the simplest is to get the keg down to serving temperature in your kegerator and then hook it up to CO2 at serving pressure (usually between 10-12 psi). Let it sit at serving temp and pressure for about 2 weeks and your beer will be carbonated. The temperature of the beer and CO2 pressure are the variables that determine your carbonation level. Google 'force carbonation chart' for more information on how to dial in specific carb levels with this method.
- If your CO2 tank is outside the frig, you will need some point of entry for the CO2 gas line(s). If it's inside the frig you won't need a point of entry for the lines.
- Your beer will last a really long time in a keg. It's pretty much the perfect environment, especially at serving temp. It's cold, there is no oxygen and no light. I would say in most cases you'll drink all the beer before having to worry about it 'going bad'. However, remember that certain styles are generally considered better when served fresh, while others can/do benefit from some age.

Hope this helps.