Transfering to new keg..

[lnxusr]

I'm considering getting the MicroMatic kegerator to enjoy the great taste of beer on tap at home. My state has a $75 state keg deposit that is only good for 90 days. If you don't return the keg by then, you forfeit the deposit. Two reasons I'd like to transfer to a 2.5 or 1 gallon keg: 1, in case I don't finish the keg within the 90 day limit, and 2, I go fishing quite often and would like to have tap beer rather than bottled.

Is it possible to transfer from one keg to another? If so, what would be the best way to do this?

[jumper]

Do you mean transfer the deposit over? Couldn't say for sure... but what state do you live in so I can make sure I never move there. That's a pretty ridiculous policy.

[jackstraw]

No, I think he wants to rack the beer from one keg to another.

If you want to take some fishing (and are planning on drinking it soon), just fill up a growler (1/2 gallon glass jug) --- you can get them at brewpubs.

Sorry - I have no idea how you would rack from one keg to another without exposing the beer to outside air.

[cubby_swans]

Originally Posted by lnxusr

I'm considering getting the MicroMatic kegerator to enjoy the great taste of beer on tap at home. My state has a $75 state keg deposit that is only good for 90 days. If you don't return the keg by then, you forfeit the deposit. Two reasons I'd like to transfer to a 2.5 or 1 gallon keg: 1, in case I don't finish the keg within the 90 day limit, and 2, I go fishing quite often and would like to have tap beer rather than bottled.

Is it possible to transfer from one keg to another? If so, what would be the best way to do this?

The only way to transfer it to something else would be to pour it into a corny keg. Then you'd have to swap out your coupler for corny couplers. It's possible, but then you've poured the beer and exposed it to air, which means it's going to start to oxidize. If you can't finish the beer in 90 days, I see a few possible solutions. Keeping the beer isn't really one of them, because at 3 months, your beer is starting to go bad, anyways. They last 1 month in my house with me and the wife both drinking off of it.

1) drink more - two beers per day will have you finishing a keg in about 83 days. There are approximately 165 12oz servings in a keg.

2) Invite friend(s) over so you can enjoy your beer with them.

3) buy 1/4 barrels or 1/6 barrels, if possible.

[lnxusr]

Originally Posted by jackstraw

No, I think he wants to rack the beer from one keg to another.

This is exactly what I need to do.

If you want to take some fishing (and are planning on drinking it soon), just fill up a growler (1/2 gallon glass jug) --- you can get them at brewpubs.

This won't work well. Our fishing trips sometimes last for a week or so. I'd have to use multiple growlers and the beer would go bad before I had a chance to drink it all.

.

[lnxusr]

Originally Posted by cubby_swans

The only way to transfer it to something else would be to pour it into a corny keg. Then you'd have to swap out your coupler for corny couplers. It's possible, but then you've poured the beer and exposed it to air, which means it's going to start to oxidize.

That's my problem. I may end up having to stay with bottled beer for the fishing trips.

If you can't finish the beer in 90 days, I see a few possible solutions. Keeping the beer isn't really one of them, because at 3 months, your beer is starting to go bad, anyways. They last 1 month in my house with me and the wife both drinking off of it.

The kegerator I mentioned above (which I ended up ordering) only holds 1/4 or 1/6 barrels. Thinking now, I see no problem in my finishing them within the 90 days. That still leaves the problem of how to get fresh beer while fishing. I guess I'll just have to rough it and forgo draft on the river.

.

[happytappy]

I have filled cornies from 1/2 barrels many times. You need to connect the beer out from your sanke to the black cornie fitting. use the grey in fitting with a short piece of hose and a shut off on the end. Attach both cornie fiitings (shut off closed) to pressurized cornie (counter pressure) and tap the keg the beer is coming from. Crack the shut off on the grey cornie fitting and that will set your flow speed, too much speed is too much foam. when beer starts coming out the shut off, shut the valve and untap. You will need to prctice to get the right fill level, filling speed, etc but it gets easy.
Jim