Beer engine

[m_rawdin]

I just wondered if anyone uses a beer engine to dispense their beer and what they store the beer in to serve through the beer engine? I was thinking of using a polypin?

[Eric]

No problems with polypins from what I've heard.
I use plastic barrels of various types. The only problem I know with them is with weaker types. If there is no pressure inside the barrel then it is possible to implode and crack the casing. I've done that once.
Pop over to see mine if you wish.

[m_rawdin]

Ah good, stuff, yeah i was thinking something that will collapse as you draw the beer off to avoid cracking etc. I've seen a couple of posts about people using their corny kegs but polypins sounds like a better option. Yeah be good to see your set up at some point and see how you do it.

[rpt]

I used to use my beer engine with polypins. It works well provided you drink all the beer within about 4 weeks. The polypins let oxygen through so the beer goes off. I now use Sankey kegs with the beer engine.

[Jim]

I've used a polypin in the past and they work well. Only trouble is you can lose a lot of the condition if you don't drink the lot in a fairly short space of time.

These days I use a home brew plastic keg with a modified lid that connects to a cask breather and CO2 bottle. Between sessions I gas it back up to about 5 or 6 psi and it holds its condition for at least a month. Obviously I have to vent the keg prior to a session, so it uses up quite a bit of gas if you only have a couple of pints, but it's the most practical way I've found of using my beer engine for occasional drinking rather than just for big sessions such as parties.

[m_rawdin]

I'm only going to use my beer engine for parties really as I generally use corny kegs for storing my beer.

[Fil]

imho you can serve an adiquate attempt at a hand pulled pint from a corny with a nominal 2-4psi or as low as you can set pressure @ 11-13c through 3/8" line direct to a flow control tap.

even so my camra loyal pal always tuts under his breath as i pour him a pint, no complaints once in his mits tho..

[Dennis King]

I use a hand pump and polypin all the time. As has been said there are a few limitations. It will only last a few weeks but that's not a problem for me. You want the proper polypins not the thinner bag in box.

[m_rawdin]

Does anyone know a good place to buy them from? I saw these on love brewing

http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/20-litre-polypin/

[Dennis King]

That's what I use.

[CaptAwol]

I use polypins with a beer engine, I get my bags from here they also have the connectors for the taps, so they are easily disconnected after a session
http://www.baginboxonline.co.uk/beer.html

[PeeBee]

I came across a quite extensive publication which has a big section on "Beer Engines". You can find it here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwzEv ... DNPdmV1bWc
It's written by some guy in Wales who obviously has too much time on his hands. Err... I think that'll be me.

~~~~~

Actually, this is my first post on this site and the site was recommended to me as somewhere that may generate some more critical reviews. Reviews of the last section ("Tweaks") is what I'd be after as I'm a bit in the dark with that (I don't use "mixed gas" with beer engines, but I know people do). The whole thing is an alternative to using "polypins" which are getting a lot of recommendation in this thread (it uses the likes of "Corny" kegs).

Advantages using this method? Well I was drinking beer kegged 5 months ago last night... it's been on the same hand pump all that time. Polypins give you four to six weeks at best.

[Jim]

I came across a quite extensive publication which has a big section on "Beer Engines". You can find it here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwzEv ... DNPdmV1bWc
It's written by some guy in Wales who obviously has too much time on his hands. Err... I think that'll be me.

~~~~~

Actually, this is my first post on this site and the site was recommended to me as somewhere that may generate some more critical reviews. Reviews of the last section ("Tweaks") is what I'd be after as I'm a bit in the dark with that (I don't use "mixed gas" with beer engines, but I know people do). The whole thing is an alternative to using "polypins" which are getting a lot of recommendation in this thread (it uses the likes of "Corny" kegs).

Advantages using this method? Well I was drinking beer kegged 5 months ago last night... it's been on the same hand pump all that time. Polypins give you four to six weeks at best.

HI PeeBee, I've just skimmed through that article, but from what I've picked up, it seems and excellent and useful piece. Nice one.

[1300s]

[quote=Jim post_id=815903 time=1494230308 user_id=2]
These days I use a home brew plastic keg with a modified lid that connects to a cask breather and CO2 bottle.
[/quote]
Apologies for the thread resurrection on my first post!

Jim, do you have any pictures of your modified lid and breather? I'm a newbie planning something similar and looking for inspiration

Thanks,

Michael

[Jim]

These days I use a home brew plastic keg with a modified lid that connects to a cask breather and CO2 bottle.

Apologies for the thread resurrection on my first post!

Jim, do you have any pictures of your modified lid and breather? I'm a newbie planning something similar and looking for inspiration

Thanks,

Michael

Hi Michael, I'll take a few pics when I get the chance. It's on the keg at the moment, so it'll be external only.

EDIT: