Home taps

Alkers · 24-04-2020 3:52pm #1

With the pubs looking like they will be closed for the foreseeable, what is the most economical way of setting up draught lager/guiness at home? I did a search but most results were 10+ years ago. Is a half decent pint achievable or does it need very frequent use and much maintenance to keep quality high?

irish_goat · 24-04-2020 4:22pm

You need;

Tap
Regulator
Chiller
Beer line
Gas canister

You can pick up the first 3 on the likes of Donedeal/Adverts etc. Gas can be bought in a few different places around the country, the homebrewing forum has a few suggestions. Beer line can be bought online no bother. Guinness is trickier as you need a different nitro/co2 mix. Not sure if this can be got easily.

Kegs might actually be tricky to source as I can't imagine anyone is really stocking them at present. Diageo might not even be kegging their beer anymore.

To answer your 2nd part, it really depends on your consumption levels. A keg is 50L and should really be drunk within 3 months or so. If you are pouring a pint or two every day the lines will be fine but if it's only every weekend then you'd probably have a bit of wastage. You would need to clean the lines every couple of weeks too, this isn't too much hassle though.

If you set it all up correctly you can pour a perfectly good pint of any beer in the world, but a Guinness drinker would no doubt say the pints in Grogans are nicer.

Townie_P · 25-04-2020 1:48pm

Alkers wrote: »

With the pubs looking like they will be closed for the foreseeable, what is the most economical way of setting up draught lager/guiness at home? I did a search but most results were 10+ years ago. Is a half decent pint achievable or does it need very frequent use and much maintenance to keep quality high?

You can buy a 30L keg of Guinness which would be more suitable if it's just yourself drinking it. A 50L you'd need one or two others really. There's a few sites online who will deliver kegs to you, just google "Guinness keg Ireland". Some of them will also advise on and sell you the full set up. They may not be operating during the covid restrictions though.

You should also enquire at your local off licences or local pubs as some of them sell party kegs and will supply you with one. If you're friendly with a local pub you could also ask them if they have any old gear lying around that you could use for a home set up. Most do and that's how I got my own set up, they were able to give me a whole kit that was no longer in use.

Another more straightforward option is to buy a Kegerator. It's basically a fridge with a tap. Klarstein sell one online. You might have to get a different coupler for stout and also change the tap to a stout tap but shouldn't be too much hassle, I've seen others who have done it. You would then have a handy mobile Guinness tap that you can wheel around the house with you

maddness · 25-04-2020 2:17pm

I’ve been thinking about this a lot since lockdown too. I looked at a couple of companies that supply large and small kegs for parties and emailed them but no response so they much be closed down too. I even looked at getting a full keg and set up from a friends brother but it was just not working out.
I reckon a smart publican could set up a home keg service and make a few quid, I’d certainly be a customer.

Hodors Appletart · 27-04-2020 11:02am

Here's one supplier that I've used in the past (Facebook link)

Link

Most recent post, on April 18th

The 3 Stages Of Happiness Through LOCKDOWN...

Folks with the news today that pubs might not be opening for the foreseeable, we at Coolock Bar Supplies want to reassure you that there's no need to be missing your ice cold draught pint

In line with current Government regulations, we are currently closed until the 5th of May. But as soon as restrictions on travel are relaxed, we will be back on the road and BRINGING THE PUB TO YOU

Our most popular package is 1 keg of your choice (88 pints) with fold up bar and all equipment (taps gas etc) plus matching pint glasses delivered and set up for €330 (extra delivery charges may apply depending on area)

All popular beers available, including Guinness, Coors, Heineken, Budweiser, Bulmers &More..

Packages available from Single Keg Set Up right through to Marquee Rental...

Pen Rua · 27-04-2020 2:05pm

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

Here's one supplier that I've used in the past (Facebook link)

Link

Most recent post, on April 18th

€330 / 80 pints (let's allow for wastage) = €4.125/pint.

€330 / 88 pints (assuming no wastage whatsoever) = €3.75/pint.

The above doesn't taken into account whether the €330 is VAT inclusive & any additional delivery fees.

Alkers · 27-04-2020 4:28pm

I'd be happy enough to buy the tap, regulator, chiller and beer line if could be got for €200-€300 and then gas and kegs as required. From that point onwards it seems to work out at very roughly the same cost as half decent cans from an off licence.

Townie_P · 27-04-2020 4:52pm

Pen Rua wrote: »

€330 / 80 pints (let's allow for wastage) = €4.125/pint.

€330 / 88 pints (assuming no wastage whatsoever) = €3.75/pint.

The above doesn't taken into account whether the €330 is VAT inclusive & any additional delivery fees.

€2.55 a pint is what it costs me with my own set up, that's keg plus gas. It's about 84 pints from a keg of Guinness, give or take. There isn't much wastage in a home set up to be fair, a party setting might be a different story though

RasTa · 27-04-2020 6:47pm

You won't get chiller, tap etc for €200

endainoz · 28-04-2020 1:15pm

Hi folks, I have an old cooler in my shed for the past 20 years or so and fired it up for the craic today. To my amazement it turned on no problem. I was just wondering if it would still work properly?

I could probably source taps easily enough, I know of a few pubs in the area that have some old ones lying around. Also included is the gas regulator, not sure what kind of condition it's in.

Attached are a few photos, I know keg's can be got from our local cash and carry. Would like Guinness ideally but I'm not sure how easily the gas mix can be sourced. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It came from my grandfather's pub which was closed after he became ill in the early 2000s.

Boscoirl · 28-04-2020 2:43pm

How important is the cooler? if the keg is going to be kept in a cool place, do you need it? a friend has a setup with a cooler and when its on I find the Guinness is too cold, and creamier when its off.

found a place in galway that advertises the whole set for €840 including the gas, and the cooler is ~450 of that

loyatemu · 28-04-2020 2:52pm

Boscoirl wrote: »

How important is the cooler? if the keg is going to be kept in a cool place, do you need it? a friend has a setup with a cooler and when its on I find the Guinness is too cold, and creamier when its off.

Homebrewers tend not to use chillers, generally they'll keep the kegs in a fridge or freezer attached to an externally controlled thermostat. Homebrew kegs are smaller though (usually 19L), I don't know if you'd fit a commercial keg in a domestic fridge.

Townie_P · 28-04-2020 7:15pm

endainoz wrote: »

Hi folks, I have an old cooler in my shed for the past 20 years or so and fired it up for the craic today. To my amazement it turned on no problem. I was just wondering if it would still work properly?

I could probably source taps easily enough, I know of a few pubs in the area that have some old ones lying around. Also included is the gas regulator, not sure what kind of condition it's in.

Attached are a few photos, I know keg's can be got from our local cash and carry. Would like Guinness ideally but I'm not sure how easily the gas mix can be sourced. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It came from my grandfather's pub which was closed after he became ill in the early 2000s.

At a minimum you'll need to get a keg coupler for Guinness keg, a stout tap, in and out beer lines, and an air/gas line from regulator to keg. I also have a hose going from the gas cylinder to the regulator, sometimes you can connect the regulator directly to the cylinder without a hose but it depends on the fittings.

You'll need to give that cooler a good clean and disinfect everything. I'd also recommend running line cleaning solution through the system once you've everything set up and before you start pulling any pints.

Similar set up as below except ignore the 'cellar buoy' gadget, the beer line would be going directly between the cooler and the keg. If you know a few of the local pubs they should be able to lend you a cylinder of gas.

Townie_P · 28-04-2020 7:18pm

Boscoirl wrote: »

How important is the cooler? if the keg is going to be kept in a cool place, do you need it? a friend has a setup with a cooler and when its on I find the Guinness is too cold, and creamier when its off

I'd agree about the Guinness being too cold, a kegerator set up would probably be better for Guinness. It definitely affects the creaminess of the pint.

endainoz · 28-04-2020 8:10pm

Townie_P wrote: »

At a minimum you'll need to get a keg coupler for Guinness keg, a stout tap, in and out beer lines, and an air/gas line from regulator to keg. I also have a hose going from the gas cylinder to the regulator, sometimes you can connect the regulator directly to the cylinder without a hose but it depends on the fittings.

You'll need to give that cooler a good clean and disinfect everything. I'd also recommend running line cleaning solution through the system once you've everything set up and before you start pulling any pints.

Similar set up as below except ignore the 'cellar buoy' gadget, the beer line would be going directly between the cooler and the keg. If you know a few of the local pubs they should be able to lend you a cylinder of gas.

Great thanks for info!

BullBauld · 28-04-2020 10:24pm

Been looking into this aswell the last few weeks.

The problem with the companies online is not the initial price but the rental for the 5/6 weeks you would have it to get through an 50l keg.

Otherwise I'd have gotten one in a shot.

endainoz · 29-04-2020 12:40pm

Townie_P wrote: »

At a minimum you'll need to get a keg coupler for Guinness keg, a stout tap, in and out beer lines, and an air/gas line from regulator to keg. I also have a hose going from the gas cylinder to the regulator, sometimes you can connect the regulator directly to the cylinder without a hose but it depends on the fittings.

You'll need to give that cooler a good clean and disinfect everything. I'd also recommend running line cleaning solution through the system once you've everything set up and before you start pulling any pints.

Similar set up as below except ignore the 'cellar buoy' gadget, the beer line would be going directly between the cooler and the keg. If you know a few of the local pubs they should be able to lend you a cylinder of gas.

Just a quick question re the secondary gas regulator, is that essential of will the primary one be enough for one keg?

Boscoirl · 29-04-2020 12:44pm

Townie_P wrote: »

I'd agree about the Guinness being too cold, a kegerator set up would probably be better for Guinness. It definitely affects the creaminess of the pint.

Think, i'll go the DIY Kegerator route, should be able to pick up a second hand fridge somewhere for very little/free, will start hunting down the rest of the bits and pieces

rubadub · 29-04-2020 12:46pm

Alkers wrote: »

I'd be happy enough to buy the tap, regulator, chiller and beer line if could be got for €200-€300 and then gas and kegs as required. From that point onwards it seems to work out at very roughly the same cost as half decent cans from an off licence.

what beer are you talking about. The ones mentioned so far "Guinness, Coors, Heineken, Budweiser, Bulmers " are all cheap, I would not pay much more than a euro a can for them.

I never really go the fascination with kegs, are people going more for the gimmick or do they really think it is that substantially better?

I would happily drink 1euro cans of heineken at home, but I would rather fork out for bottles of spaten or budvar than have kegged heineken which costs more per 500ml.

I know of a guy big into his wine & beer and is worth millions and has no problem spending it, but heard he no longer bothers getting kegs even though he has his own bar, and by own bar I mean a small pub! as he reckons they go bad too quickly, but would get them if a party was on. He could be overly fussy though.

RasTa · 29-04-2020 2:17pm

endainoz wrote: »

Just a quick question re the secondary gas regulator, is that essential of will the primary one be enough for one keg?

You only need one reg

Townie_P · 29-04-2020 8:15pm

endainoz wrote: »

Just a quick question re the secondary gas regulator, is that essential of will the primary one be enough for one keg?

No need for that. I have a valve switch between the regulator and keg which is basically an on/off switch for the gas.

Boscoirl · 30-04-2020 3:46pm

slowly getting this together

have the tap, coupler, and assorted lines and fittings ordered, next to source a regulator and gas(for guinness, just need to find somewhere reasonably local,) and an old fridge, have a keg lined up

have also ordered a few non essential items like drip tray etc, that are on the slow boat from china, but dont mind when they turn up

RasTa · 30-04-2020 6:00pm

Make sure your nozzle has that little silver thing inside for a creamy Guinness

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/302321614263?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=302321614263&targetid=879043638628&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046626&poi=&campaignid=9455575137&mkgroupid=94880575894&rlsatarget=pla-879043638628&abcId=1139576&merchantid=7087204&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7qn1BRDqARIsAKMbHDbzSwHHOhBiCODYlZKbEqS9X48Lwb0pGLP_NX5BWkFbM0Q2xL-1JAoaAp1vEALw_wcB

endainoz · 30-04-2020 6:15pm

RasTa wrote: »

Make sure your nozzle has that little silver thing inside for a creamy Guinness

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/302321614263?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=302321614263&targetid=879043638628&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046626&poi=&campaignid=9455575137&mkgroupid=94880575894&rlsatarget=pla-879043638628&abcId=1139576&merchantid=7087204&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7qn1BRDqARIsAKMbHDbzSwHHOhBiCODYlZKbEqS9X48Lwb0pGLP_NX5BWkFbM0Q2xL-1JAoaAp1vEALw_wcB

Nice, I think I have an old Murphy's tap sourced so I'd imagine it would have this anyway.

poitinstill · 30-04-2020 7:28pm

https://www.9whitedeer.ie/draft-beer-home-9-white-deer-keg-tap/

Alkers · 30-04-2020 9:22pm

Boscoirl wrote: »

slowly getting this together

have the tap, coupler, and assorted lines and fittings ordered, next to source a regulator and gas(for guinness, just need to find somewhere reasonably local,) and an old fridge, have a keg lined up

have also ordered a few non essential items like drip tray etc, that are on the slow boat from china, but dont mind when they turn up

Similar boat here, I've been ordering / asking people to hold a few bits for me so once I'm allowed to collect things I should be able to get sorted more or less. Where are you thinking of setting it up? I haven't got much space for it.
Are you going to drill an old fridge and keep the keg in it or just cool it beforehand?
Where'd you get the keg? I've a few possible places but they've only got kegs that have been lying around since early march already

Alkers · 30-04-2020 9:25pm

RasTa wrote: »

Make sure your nozzle has that little silver thing inside for a creamy Guinness

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/302321614263?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=302321614263&targetid=879043638628&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046626&poi=&campaignid=9455575137&mkgroupid=94880575894&rlsatarget=pla-879043638628&abcId=1139576&merchantid=7087204&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7qn1BRDqARIsAKMbHDbzSwHHOhBiCODYlZKbEqS9X48Lwb0pGLP_NX5BWkFbM0Q2xL-1JAoaAp1vEALw_wcB

Can you explain? Will this fit any other tap?

Boscoirl · 30-04-2020 10:53pm

Alkers wrote: »

Similar boat here, I've been ordering / asking people to hold a few bits for me so once I'm allowed to collect things I should be able to get sorted more or less. Where are you thinking of setting it up? I haven't got much space for it.
Are you going to drill an old fridge and keep the keg in it or just cool it beforehand?
Where'd you get the keg? I've a few possible places but they've only got kegs that have been lying around since early march already

It all depends on what kind of fridge I can find, I think most under the counter fridges are not going to be big enough to hold a keg with the coupler attached, the ones I have seen on adverts/DoneDeal all seem to have the Inner workings inside the fridge at the bottom. I don’t want a fridge freezer, herself, wouldn’t like that.

I have a covered area out the back between house and garage, long term I’d like to build it into some kind of bar counter top area and have it there, but for the moment it’ll probably be set up in the basement as it’s the coolest and most consistent temp in the house.

The owner of my local says he’ll give me one, it’ll be of a similar age as the ones you are seeing, and my Brother in law is getting his from a local off license, so I have that as a back up, hopefully supply doesn’t dry up

RasTa · 01-05-2020 9:59am

Alkers wrote: »

Can you explain? Will this fit any other tap?

Not 100% sure, probably are adapters

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUINNESS-BEER-TAP-beer-Pump-Home-Bar-Kegerator-Man-Cave/223993451973?hash=item34270cd5c5:g:7vcAAOSwvA9eqahT

maddness · 01-05-2020 5:23pm

Hodors Appletart wrote: »

Here's one supplier that I've used in the past (Facebook link)

Link

Most recent post, on April 18th

I contacted these guys but they are only delivering on a Friday and collecting the following Monday. Now I’m mad for a few pints but I’d need a month to finish a keg! Anywhere else?

RasTa · 01-05-2020 6:30pm

https://www.kegworks.com/kit-guinness-refrigerator-conversion-kit

BullBauld · 01-05-2020 8:19pm

RasTa wrote: »

https://www.kegworks.com/kit-guinness-refrigerator-conversion-kit

Is it just the gas you'd need for this then....along with fridge n keg.

Townie_P · 05-05-2020 8:17pm

BullBauld wrote: »

Is it just the gas you'd need for this then....along with fridge n keg.

Yes just the gas. It's either a fridge or a cooler but not both.

Strip · 06-05-2020 1:49pm

For Guinness you need a different tap then for lager , it’s the small black end on the tap that’s different.
There is also different gas for Guinness and lager . The Guinness gas will work for both but the lager gas won’t work with the Guinness.
The cooler are the same but lager is served colder the Guinness, so you put lager through the same cooler twice.
The keg couplers are the same for Guinness, hop house , carlsberg and there is a different one for Heineken, coors light and Murphy .
Guinness will last about 2 to 3 months after best before date if stored correctly but once connected about 3 weeks .

BeerNut · 06-05-2020 2:07pm

Strip wrote: »

Guinness will last about 2 to 3 months after best before date if stored correctly but once connected about 3 weeks .

Though presumably those are Diageo's rules for optimal Guinness. You don't need to be as fastidious if you aren't selling it. It won't suddenly "go off" like milk.

irish_goat · 06-05-2020 2:19pm

Strip wrote: »

There is also different gas for Guinness and lager . The Guinness gas will work for both but the lager gas won’t work with the Guinness.
The cooler are the same but lager is served colder the Guinness, so you put lager through the same cooler twice.

This isn't the case in most pubs anymore. Vast majority will have Guinness and lager all going through the same chiller, the "extra cold" lagers will go through again (or a 2nd chiller).

Alkers · 06-05-2020 5:54pm

Strip wrote: »

For Guinness you need a different tap then for lager , it’s the small black end on the tap that’s different.
There is also different gas for Guinness and lager . The Guinness gas will work for both but the lager gas won’t work with the Guinness.
The cooler are the same but lager is served colder the Guinness, so you put lager through the same cooler twice.
The keg couplers are the same for Guinness, hop house , carlsberg and there is a different one for Heineken, coors light and Murphy .
Guinness will last about 2 to 3 months after best before date if stored correctly but once connected about 3 weeks .

Ah damn, I would prefer to have guiness on tap but the oh doesn't drink it so looks like we'll have to decide on a lager...

Strip · 06-05-2020 7:31pm

BeerNut wrote: »

Though presumably those are Diageo's rules for optimal Guinness. You don't need to be as fastidious if you aren't selling it. It won't suddenly "go off" like milk.

Optimal Guinness is served before the best before date . But as I said it will last for 2 or 3 months if stored correctly.It doesn’t suddenly go off but 3 months after the best before is quit a long time .

Strip · 06-05-2020 7:36pm

irish_goat wrote: »

This isn't the case in most pubs anymore. Vast majority will have Guinness and lager all going through the same chiller, the "extra cold" lagers will go through again (or a 2nd chiller).

Most pubs have a cool room but the cooler are separate for Heineken and Diageo products . But we aren’t talking about pubs we are on about the small under counter cooler that you would use in a home bar . For Guinness it goes through the cooler once and for lagers it goes through it twice. Because lager and Guinness should be served at different temperatures.

Strip · 06-05-2020 7:40pm

Alkers wrote: »

Ah damn, I would prefer to have guiness on tap but the oh doesn't drink it so looks like we'll have to decide on a lager...

If you use hop house or carlsberg you can use all the same equipment apart for the tap .
Heineken has a different connection to the keg .
So might be best to set up for a Hop house or carlsberg and it’s a simple swap to Guinness.

BeerNut · 06-05-2020 7:56pm

Strip wrote: »

3 months after the best before is quit a long time .

For a low-hop dark beer it really isn't. You can add a few years to that and nobody would mind except Diageo's sales team and shareholders.

Strip · 06-05-2020 8:03pm

BeerNut wrote: »

For a low-hop dark beer it really isn't. You can add a few years to that and nobody would mind except Diageo's sales team and shareholders.

Cheers , every day is a school day .ðŸ»ðŸ»

the beer revolu · 07-05-2020 12:07pm

BeerNut wrote: »

For a low-hop dark beer it really isn't. You can add a few years to that and nobody would mind except Diageo's sales team and shareholders.

Tasted a craft nitro stout that had been tapped for about 8 weeks. Delicious.
Tasted a freshly tapped keg of the same beer and found it bland.
I think I like old, slightly sour stout!

Boscoirl · 07-05-2020 2:13pm

getting closer to a pint of Guinness

Have tap, lines, gas,
Regulator will arrive tomorrow
Will pick up keg over the weekend.
Accidentally shipped coupler to work when paying with paypal, so will have to orchestrate a reason to go into the office to collect it

Boscoirl · 08-05-2020 6:47pm

Collected Keg this evening from a local offie. It’s just about still in date which is fine with me. But was talking to the owner and he was saying he is not able to get more kegs. So this may be my only one. So if you are planing on getting one it would be worth getting one sooner than later.

elmijjo · 08-05-2020 7:15pm

Hi Boscoirl. Im in the process of setting up myself. Did you go for the 30L or 50L keg?? Just wondering because i am on the look out for a fridge right now and i am pretty surel that the 50L will fit in a standard undercounter fridge.

Boscoirl · 08-05-2020 8:14pm

elmijjo wrote: »

Hi Boscoirl. Im in the process of setting up myself. Did you go for the 30L or 50L keg?? Just wondering because i am on the look out for a fridge right now and i am pretty surel that the 50L will fit in a standard undercounter fridge.

Went for the 50L, not sourced a fridge yet but where I am going to store the keg at the moment is going to be cool enough.

elmijjo · 08-05-2020 8:27pm

sorry i meant i dont think the 50L wont fit. Good stuff, hope it works out well for you

Boscoirl · 15-05-2020 3:07pm

Have all the kit set up, keg tapped and everything.

one small hiccup is the regulator shows flow and not PSI, so its going to be a bit of trial and error to get everything right

Alkers · 16-05-2020 10:17am

Wil hopefully have movement on my own stuff come Monday

RasTa · 18-05-2020 12:56pm

https://brewcrew.ie/collections/equipment/products/pygmy-25-k

Irish company selling that at an decent enough price. Takes up a lot less space and I've seen those taps pouring Guinness over here, they sell the upgrade but €90 seems expensive

Home taps

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