I'd like my own draft beer dispenser!

[Out West]

I really enjoy Shiner Bock DRAFT beer. I find bottled Shiner tastes different. Does anybody own their own refrigerated draft beer dispenser? If so, how much do they cost, do you enjoy it, and is it difficult to change out the kegs?

Out
West

 

[DeadAye]

We (Schlitz) used to make a Pony Keg - I have no idea if they're still made.... IIRC a keg holds 16 gallons of beer and a Pony held 6 or 7.
Unless you party a bunch or drink A LOT of beer even the beer in a Pony will turn into really yucky vinegar well before you can finish it up.

I believe that you can drop by any distributor and pick up a keg, tap, and refer unit combo for parties or just your own enjoyment .
Does Shiner do Pony kegs? Who knows?

 

[relic]

My Home Kegger

In about '74 I built a home keg unit from an old Frigidaire. The beer distributor was very happy to provide (sell me) all the plumbing and explain how to keep it operating. I had to buy a small CO2 bottle to pressurize the system.

Keg beer, kept below 54+/- F, pressurized w/CO2 (the absence of "air"), will keep many weeks. The keg beer is unpasturized and will spoil when exposed to air at higher temps. Disassembly, scrubbing, and a mild bleach rinse, of the tap and tubing when changing the keg was all that was required.

I would order a keg at the local beverage pkg store. The distributor kept my system in good shape with fresh seals, O-rings, new faucets, ect. I kept beer on tap in the garage for about twenty five years until the old Frigidaire gave up.

Here's a link about draught beer, kegs, and info:
Draught Beer

After I built the system, I noticed a lot more neighbors stopping by for a lawn-care break on hot days!

 

[TheHobbyist]

It's somewhat common here (to have home kegs/kegerators)...but that might be because it's Wisconsin!

 

[OFT II]

The trick to keeping beer from going bad from age is to drink it now.

 

[DeadAye]

The trick to keeping beer from going bad from age is to drink it now.

Back when I worked in the brewery every once and a while the power would go out. We would run to the break rooms and try to drink all the beer before it went bad

Those were the days
Beer in the breakrooms and 2 cases a week to take home.
It was like going to a party every day.

 

[Packard]

There is a beer distributor near where I live and his panel truck has three of these mounted on the side: *525SS, Perlick Foward Seal, Stainless Steel Beer Faucet

I'm pretty sure that they are non-functional, but it looks neat anyhow.

 

[Wingmaster]

Deadeye,
Thats cool that you worked for Schlitz. I was at the local beer store and saw where they had Schlitz. I bought a couple six packs. I don't really know if it tasted the same as the original, but I liked it as much.

Wingmaster

 

[Wingmaster]

About a home Keg. I had a buddy several years ago that set one up in his house. About 6 months later he got rid of it because he "was becoming an alcoholic"
Just a thought

Wingmaster

 

[trauma1]

my neighbor built one form an old chest freezer. got all the parts online for @ $350 that included a generic handle. worked REALLY good. Alas, he sold it - probably due to threat of life/limb by all the neighborhood wives! Anyways, just google Kegerator and you will find several different sets that are all inclusive. Also, keep an eye out on sites like Craigs list. Co-worker picked one up for $50.00 - college kids hard up for cash i guess. good luck and keep it cold!

 

[RSBH44]

After years of bouncing all over the place I married and moved back to the neighborhood where I grew up to raise my own kids.
My next door neighbor just happened to be the father of a kid I grew up with and had a Kegerator set up in his garage for many years.
He quickly became my favorite neighbor ! : )