More aptly titled: How to convince your wife to let you buy a keg.
This all started with my planning for the Super Bowl Party that we’re going to be having in a few weeks. Considering the number of people coming (I’ve ordered CASES of wing sauce) and the fact that they are all college aged – I decided that I wanted to get a keg for the party – save some $ and do my part for the environment 🙂 . Beyond my dads 3rd marriage and a few times in college, I had never had any keg experience, so naturally I went online to see if it even made any sense for me to do.
Eventually I stumbled upon Micro Matic – a great source of all things draft beer related. On the site, they sell Kegerators and Kegerator Kits – something I had only heard of but never scene. My DYI side was intrigued so I began considering building my own kegerator. Ordering the kit wouldn’t be a problem – it was finding a fridge to fit 1/4 or 1/2 kegs that would be an issue. I looked on Craigslist and couldn’t find anything the right size, but then I remebered that Home Depot had been having a sale on chest freezers – and those could be used as long as they had the right temperature controls.
So off to Home Depot I went and in the clearance section I found the chest freezer that I remembered seeing. At $169, the chest freezer would put the total cost of my kegerator project over $300 – depending on which package I went with. Then, I noticed another freezer next to the one I was looking at – and after a few minutes, it dawned on me what it was – there standing next to the standard white freezer I was thinking about buying was a kegerator!
At $250, it was definitely cheaper then building my own (said the calculator in my head) and I quickly went to the register and paid. The Danby Kegerator was clearanced down as it was the floor model (read: scratch & dent) and at more then 50% off, I was convinced I had a bargain.
Now – I had run none of this by the Ex, so on the 3 minute drive home, I had to do some quick thinking and figure out how to break the news to her and still be on her good side. So I went with the “it’s a real money saver” (read: in 8-10 kegs, it will actually pay for itself) schpeel and she bought it. It also helped that she knew I was having a crappy week (leaving one job to take another and job one isn’t playing nice) – and that most of the people that we’re having over for the Super Bowl are her friends and they would love it.
This thing came as is – and while it does have some scratches and dents, I was happy to see that all the parts were there and in perfect condition. So I set to putting it together and then we ran out to buy a keg. Fortunately for us, here in the Houston area there’s a giant liqour store chain that sells kegs and one happens to be just down the street from us. Here’s a list of all the kegs they sell – though the location near us doesn’t have everything (but they deliver!)
I went with a 1/2 keg of Miller Lite to start, I didn’t want to waste a good micro brew while I figured out how to work the thing. Set up was a snap – requires only a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. I was worried about getting the Co2 canister filled, but lucked out in finding a welding supply company that filled it for $10.
The first few pours were all foam, which was corrected after getting the Co2 PSI right. I was pretty lit by 1pm due to the drinking of all the test pours (no beer was wasted) and once I finally got the head to less then 2 inches, I was happy. I did some more research online and found that due to Miller Lites massive foamy quality a longer beer line is needed, which I ordered online for $5. By the time the Super Bowl gets here, I’ll have all the kinks worked out and we’ll be getting a perfect pour every time!
Cheers!
43 responses to “Getting Ready for the Big Game”
Nice Nick.
Now raise your glass high to the team that will spoil the Patriots perfect season! GIMMIE A “C”… GIMMIE AN “H”… GIMMIE AN “A”, etc…
Very nice!
Now, just be careful with that turkey fryer doing the wings, I don’t want you becoming an instant statistic with a charred deck.
That thing rocks- I’m going to work up my business case right now…
With all of the beer I drink, you’d think I’d have one of those.
I’m officially jealous.
Must be a lot of people coming. Keg hold’s a lot of beer.
Again I am jealous. I really need to take a trip out to Texas to visit you two with all your new found toys!
I’ve always wondered how long it would take keg beer to go bad hooked up that way. Does the CO2 help preserve it so it doesn’t go skunky?
I think a keg on C02 lasts about a month or so
So Nick, here’s what you do next: put a digital scale under the keg and zero it out with an empty keg on it (get to work) or note the weight of the empty keg. If you buy one of those digital scales with the remote display, you can run the remote to outside the kegerator by the tap handle. It will then display the weight of the beer left, and if you’re really good you can get the display to convert to “beers remaining” by dividing the weight by the 170 beers in a keg (16 gal x 128oz /12oz each) and getting the scale to display how many ‘units’ (12 oz beers) are left in the keg.
Sorry, I know I’m a nerd. But how often do you get to combine your talents?
[Comment ID #123587 Quote]
I was gonna say, not that you already figured it all out Lee 😉
very good “combining the talents” I might add!
I think Im starting to like “Nick’s Corner” Where he demonstrates to us all his little DIY projects (usually involving food or drink) – maybe it should be a weekly feature. Even though this one was was a bit easy, just pay for it. (but there was some CO2 tweaking involved)
nice danny cash beer glasses!!!!!!
You’re a PIMP!
[Comment ID #123591 Quote]Thanks Chris, but at this point it’s all just theory. I really want to see someone actually make it work.
I like the “Nick’s Corner” idea. I think he should propose ideas for his house and bloggers get to vote on what he should do to his house and he has to live with the results….wouldn’t that be fun? I’m sure Laura would love it.
I got one of those kegarators but it is filled up with Pink Lemondade Crystal Light. It lasts more than a month though. 😀
Man if I saw a kegerator on sale like that I would have bought it up too! They have a pretty good list of stuff to get on kegs so you are a lucky man. I know a guy that works at an engineering firm in Huntsville and he has 6 TAPS in his office HAHAHA That would be the life. A beer fridge and 6 taps in my office is my ultimate goal in life!
Congratulations Nick, Your official AA card is in the mail!
Yea, and Buddah has a “Hello Kitty” tap handle on it too!
For those that are curious – a 1/2 keg (as seen in the picture) will produce 165 12oz. beers & at $80 a keg (for the Miller) – that’s less then $0.50 a beer.
And the keg will last 60-90 days with the Co2 – however the Co2 canister might only last about 30 days (it’s only 5lbs).
However – I will say that getting a 161lb keg up a flight of stairs was no easy task!
HMMM, that’s like 7 cases of beer. So that’s a pretty good savings over case prices. Don’t think I could drink that much in 60-90 days.
[Comment ID #123609 Quote]
I could. 🙂
[Comment ID #123609 Quote]
Come on Lee, figure this out for him 🙂
24(per case)X7(cases)=168/60(days)=2.8 per day (or only 1.87/day over 90 days)
[Comment ID #123611 Quote]
Experimenting with all those chemicals builds up a tolerence, huh? 😉
[Comment ID #123609 Quote]
Imagine what Huv could save 😯
[Comment ID #123605 Quote]Wow! 60-90 days? That’s awesome. I’m definitely considering it now. And 50 cents a beer is 25-40% cheaper than cans or bottles. My only concern is that I hate to waste money so bad I’d probably become an alcoholic! (a real one, that is)
Way to go Nick!!!!! With COLD BEER ON TAP the beers will always be flowing!
[Comment ID #123611 Quote]
Me too! 30 days tops.
Does Nick own ColdBeerBlog.com* too?
*wonders who will go do a google search to see if there is such a site.
You lucky bastard! I’ve always wanted to do that but never had the cash…lucky….
That Chimay Triple on the list may be a little pricey but dang it’s a good beer! Deeelicious! The Ayinger Celebrator on the list is quite nice as well. I would certainly drink all of it up quickly at a great cost lol
[Comment ID #123609 Quote]
[Comment ID #123611 Quote]
[Comment ID #123619 Quote]
We know huv could! I think he drank that much in TX that one night alone….thirty days?????? What kind of alcoholics are you????????
Looking even MORE forward to paying you and Laura a visit Nick!
I must have some of those Danny Cash pint glasses.
Sean Carlin from Fired Up Foods (maker interview #??) makes wicked looking beer fridges.
These babies are high end too. I have a tonne of pics of the one’s he’s made, Toronto Maple Leafs fridge anyways.
Seriously nice though.
Since I don’t drink, this is yet another post that’s of no interest to me other than letting you guys know about Sean’s fridges. 🙁
Good luck with the beer swilling.
Mmmmmm…..beeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr….
I just looked at the photos that Sean sent me.
He’s got a black full sized fridge with the CO2 and all of that WITH A WICKED FLAME PAINT JOB!!
Very nice. If you want pics and info, let me know.
Maybe Sean will poke his nose in here and chat about it.
Chile head beer fridge full size with C02, Flames and special racks inside door for hot sauce. Could be the next craze
[Comment ID #123643 Quote]
Big – If you find the time, can you send me the pics? There’s also a pretty sweet flame version here
[Comment ID #123668 Quote]
Email sent to nick at HSB.
Nice gear for the beer head in the crowd.
Yeah man, get some Chimay, Anchor Steam, or Boddington’s in that baby for the super bowl!
In fact, I have some Boddington’s in my fridge right now screaming to be opened and poured!
And I’m guessing some DEFCON wings will be present at your party?!?
I love the ‘8-10 kegs’ comment on getting the kegerator to pay for itself! lol
[Comment ID #123630 Quote]
The kind who drink 8-10 in an evening…when I’m not driving. As a matter of fact, I’m enjoying some Santa Fe Pale Ale right now.
What?? You live in Houston and you got MILLER LITE instead of a fine Saint Arnold product?? At least the Fancy Lawnmower! :o)
When I read this post my first feelings were a little jealousy, but that quickly gave way to admiration. The 3 minute sell is classic. Is there a married man out there who hasn’t had to justify a purchase? Skillfully done Nick! Have a couple cold ones for me!
Hmmm I saw those kegolators on sale @ a local HDepot, I wonder
if a SB party will convice my wife I need one????
PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY PARTY! LOL
ButchT
[Comment ID #123605 Quote]
The CO2 will outlive at least 8 kegs, if you have a airtight line. This usage was our #1 non- fire extinguisher part of the business. Just don’t forget that little paper or plastic washer that goes inside of the connection, or it won’t last 1!