Another NewB on-board

[cardmania]

Hi Gang,

Having a home bar built and intend to serve two draft beers, Guinness Stout and Smuttynose Shoals Pale Ale. Don't know where to start, beginning with refrigeration. Should seperate units be acquired to maintain different temperatures or is one unit, holding two kegs, enough? What else to buy?....and can I get it all through MicroMatic?

Thanks for info!!!

[Scott Zuhse]

The temperature you desire to consume these products at is totally up to you. I would recommend that you come to a decision to enjoy at the same temperature. otherwise you may have to purchase two pieces of refrigeration.

As always, the equipment utilized will be based on budget. But you get what you pay for. Commercial units are by far more successful than some of the less expensive units targeted towards the home buyer. Keg sizes will also dictate the size of the unit(s). Determine what you need as far as refrigeration and then let us know what you came up with.

You can buy everthing from Micro Matic. Check the site out and you will be able to browse products and knowledge. Keep us posted as to your progress.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[cardmania]

Scott - thanks for the reply. Let's assume for now that I like these two beers (Guinness Stout & Shoals Pale Ale) at different temperatures. I'm guessing, given your reply, that none of the 2 keg capacity kegerators (or keg refrigerators - I'm beginning to think there is a difference between a kegerator and a keg refrigerator?) have seperate cooling chambers (for lack of a better term) so that each chamber's temperature can be individually controlled? If that's the case then, yes, I'm likely to need two units. Not very cost-effective, is it? Maybe I'll need to forget that idea.

Okay, so now I'm getting a 2 Keg capacity kegerator (or Keg refrigerator) instead. I would want to be able to have full size kegs (15.5 gal) of Guinness and Shoals (I'm assuming Guiness comes in 15.5 gal size, I will have to check, but I know Shoals does). Would I then be looking at something like the DD48 or DD50?

It's important for me to determine what refrigeration I need because the dimensions will impact whether or not I can fit in a sink and/or a glass washing unit (or neither).

Thanks again.

[Scott Zuhse]

Both units would be ideal for two full size kegs. Select the one that would work best based on your space limitations.

Scott Zuhse, Instructor Micro Matic Dispense Institute

[cardmania]

I think I'm finally settled on the DD50 refrigeration unit but I haven't ordered it quite yet. I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row first.

I've decided that I will always have Guinness Stout in one "chamber" of the DD50 and in the other chamber I will alternately swap kegs of Smithwicks Ale and Smuttynose (New Hampshire) Shoals Pale Ale.

I've been told I will need to use NO2 rather than CO2 for Guinness and that NO2 can be used for any beer not just Guinness. Can you vouch for that?

Also, given the beers I want to serve, besides the DD50....what else should I be buying so that I'll be ready to go?

Thanks for your help!!