Cooler VS Bar

[droid_ca]

I was wondering for those of us that like to enjoy a relaxing beverage of choice do you have a dedicated cooler or do you have some sort of built in system like a bar... I have been thinking of doing the latter of the two and building an actual bar dedicated t my relaxing refreshments...ok my builds is probably a little bigger then most..but it is still a good discussion topic and by all miens please share your as I could use more ideas

[atahoekid]

I installed a jockey box so that I can serve my homebrew on tap. I had the extra room due to the width of the Road Foamie. I can't get to the "cooler" right now or I'd include some pics but the entire works for the system (jockey box, CO2 tank, 5 gal "corny" keg, hoses and gauges) are contained in an insulated cabinet. The tap faucet exits right above the galley sink. The wife brings along her fixin's for whatever her favorite drink is at the time and we store whatever needs to be kept cool in the jockey box. It isn't really camping unless I get to enjoy my homebrew by the fire.

[Vedette]

You had better reserve the site next to you at the Dam Gathering for me!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[atahoekid]

I've paid for my stay at the Dam Gathering but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to park with all of the other TD's since my Road Foamie is not a TD in design and also quite a bit larger. If you wish to have the spot next to mine, you're certainly welcome to it but I think it'll be first come, first served so to speak... But I'll be there, so come on by with drinking vessel in hand. I plan on having three different brews on hand.

[jim mcdermott]

I have seen the Little Guy tailgater with a tap built off the right side of the unit in the back which I thought was too cool but I am not a fan of cleaning beer lines. I home brew as well and while I use corny kegs, it might help to get a Tap-a-draft system.

http://www.sturmanbg.com/home

Or, you can also use a Party Pig. I do know that the Pig is affiliated with some craft breweries. The breweries will take your pig, clean and sanitize it and then fill it up with your choice of brew. http://www.partypig.com

Both of these systems are quite small, you can get insulation jackets for them while they are not in the coolers and they are far easier to clean then a jockey box and beer lines. I know that 3 of the Tap-A-Draft bottles(6L each) will hold about 5 gallons of brew. That could be home brew or perhaps straight from your favorite commercial keg at home.

The Party Pig is a little bit more "green" in terms of it not using Co2 cartridges but rather a pressure pouch with Citric acid and bicarbinate of soda in it to create pressurized Co2 naturally.

I have only used the Tap-a-Draft. I have had mixed results with my first batch of Porter working great for all three bottles and then the rubber seal came loose and I burnt through all my Co2 cartridges. Tap-a-draft was very responsive and sent me another tap. I have been on them to try to create a Nitro mix system for creamy stouts like Guinness or Boddingtons and if I can ever find the time, they said they would convert one of my taps for beta testing at no charge.

So, all in all I think there are easier alternatives to getting draft brew.

You could also invest in this little do-dad:

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Ed ... pe=pla&kw={keyword}

This allows refrigeration and dispensing of your little 5L metal keg of Heineken or New Castle Brown (one of my favorites) or with the converter kit that comes with it, you can buy empty 5L kegs to fill with your own favorites. The unit has a small footprint and would tuck nicely in the corner of any galley.

[atahoekid]

If you're just getting started kegging some homebrew and looking for a way to put it into your TTT, I agree with Jim that there are more compact and less expensive ways to go. For me, since I already have a kegerator at home, and plenty of room in my TTT, I just kinda went with the same system in miniature so I wouldn't have to deal with any new containers. I also flush my line as soon as I get home so that cleaning isn't much of an issue. Works for me but my situation may be different than others.

[BrwBier]

I have been home brewing for 19 years now, ever since my son came home from collage one weekend and said "dad, we should brew some beer". I said OK. I have been kegging for about 15 years and recently altered a party pig so I would not have to spend $5 for the pressure pouch for every batch. I had a piece of smoked lexan and made a new piece for the nose of the pig. I took some fittings from one of my kegs and got some adapters from Northern Homebrew and now I have a gas in and a beverage out connector on the front of my pig. That and a picnic tap and a co2 cartridge adapter and I'm all set. Then I discovered that if you order something from Omaha Steaks the the extra heavy duty foam carton just fits a party pig. It makes you very popular at a gathering.
Brwbier

[Gary and Cheri]

+1 on Brwbier being popular at a gathering. See ya at Cooler by the Lake.

Gary

[jim mcdermott]

BrwBier, do you have a pic of this setup? I'd love to check it out. I might be able to do the same with the tap-a-draft bottles.

[Vedette]

Rob
Just get it built before you are too old to drink anymore????
Or before the Dam Gathering if you are camping next to me.
Just make sure the tap is high enough on the side so I can reach it over the dog fence!
Good Roads
Brian

[droid_ca]

Rob
Just get it built before you are too old to drink anymore????
Or before the Dam Gathering if you are camping next to me.
Just make sure the tap is high enough on the side so I can reach it over the dog fence!
Good Roads
Brian

I didn't know you keep "Miss Piggy" surrounded by a dog fence hmmm that sounds like a funny way to camp....Oh you want the dogs inside of the fence with you to keep everyone away from YOUR beer

[Vedette]

I don't bring beer! That is why I will be looking to camp next to new friends with those taps mounted on the side of their teardrops????
Drive carefully! I don't like foamy beer!
Brian

[droid_ca]

Brian so not only do you Hate dogs you steel his beer too.Sound like the beginnings to a country song

Made a friend,
Drank all his beer,
Kicked his dog,
and now I'm Camping by myself Again

[nevadatear]

so all you home brewers, dont forget there is a wine and beer tasting at the dam gathering! bring enough for us to taste!

[jim mcdermott]

so all you home brewers, dont forget there is a wine and beer tasting at the dam gathering! bring enough for us to taste!

I love that Tear you have nevadatear! Very nice!