Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

For those going to the conference there are kegs on E-Bay that you could buy and pick up while your in town.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-PK-5-Gal-Corny-Ke ... 41501e25f0

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-PACK-5-Gal-Cornel ... 41501e1ded

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-PK-5-Gal-Corneliu ... 3f00630a4b

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-lb-CO2-Tank-2-Cor ... 41503738cf

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-lb-CO2-Tank-2-Cor ... 3f007cf784

If folks are interested in buying from this guy, I've reached out to him to see if we could arrange a hook-up at a mutually agreed to spot next week to pick them up while we're in the Twins for AHC to avoid the shipping charge.

If we have enough interest, we might even be able to convince him to deliver to the hotel?

Question - not being a kegger, yet - pin lock or ball lock? This guys has both. The pin lock is slightly cheaper, but is there enough of a difference to spend more for the ball lock type?

Yes, there really is, GO WITH THE BALL LOCK!

1) This is what most people use and are set up for. So for events and such it really is easier if you purchase the ball locks. Joint use of CO2 and connecting to others tap boxes and such.

2) I used to work with the pin locks (with Coca Cola), The Ball locks make a much better connection with the keg. As the pin locks get older they have a tendency for the clasps to slip faily easily.

3) They are probably not that much more expensive per Keg, most likely the reason they are cheaper is the ball locks sell better and he wants to get rid of some of the pin locks.

4) To change out afterwards you have to change the entire post (both) and the posts are expensive as you can only purchase those new.

Also, to remove the posts, you just need a 7/8" deep socket for ball lock. I'm pretty sure you need to buy a special socket, or modify one yourself for pin-lock.

These look like a pretty good deal: Two 5 gallon cornies plus a new 5# gas tank for $97.50. Midwest has new 5# gas tanks at $85. I'm not really ready to keg yet, but I'm wondering if that's too good of a deal to pass on. Plus it sounds like these are ready to go, where most I've seen say you need to replace the o-rings etc.

What do you guys think? Also, does it work OK to only fill these half full, or should I hold off until I'm doing 5 gallon batches?

I got my socket at Autozone, they are probably no cheaper there than anywhere else. I’ve never owned the pinlock style, but it seems easier to come across the ball lock style kegs and parts.

Tony, or whoever, I would be interested in picking up a few more, maybe 4. Unfortunately I’m not rolling to the conference so I would be at the mercy of available room in someone’s car and ability to pick them up.




From: TappedOut [mailto:brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 2:50 PM
To: brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org
Subject: Re: Cornie Kegs in Minneapolis


Also, to remove the posts, you just need a 7/8" deep socket for ball lock. I'm pretty sure you need to buy a special socket, or modify one yourself for pin-lock.

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

Thanks for the feedback - ball lock it is.

Now for the bad news. I heard back from the folks selling the cornies. Well, it speaks for itself:

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your interest. The conference
sounds awesome. Unfortunately we no longer offer
local pick up for a variety of reasons.

Enjoy the show, Minneapolis and brewing your next
batch!

So, looks like if you're interested in his stuff, you'll have to pay the shipping charges. Oh well, it was worth the shot!

I've bought a couple of reconditioned ball lock kegs from Midwest Brewing Supplies in Minneapolis http://www.midwestsupplies.com/5-gallon ... a-keg.html and have had good luck. They are $29.95 each. Their policy for in store pickups is here: https://secure.midwestsupplies.com/in-store-pickup