Expert: Alan Ward - 10/3/2009

Question
I have brewed 4-6 batches a yr, mostly ales & bottled for 10 yrs. I recently bought a 4 keg system & have lots of questions. How full do I fill a corny keg? I don't want to force carbonate, so using a 1/3 cup of priming sugar to naturally carbonate Can I store the kegs like the bottles ( 60-70 deg cool & dark )until tapped. I have found that aging the beer really improves its taste & character(2-6 months & it doesn't last very long due to consumption). I pri/bucket & sec/corboy ferment as it clarifies the beer along with dry hopping. I'm also looking at extending the lines 8ft from fridge in basement to interior of garage with faucets. Will the 1/4 in line be usable due to rise & dis? I would prefer to secondary ferment due to trube amt. How long will a tapped  keg last with CO2? How long will a untapped keg last? If I refridgerate will it last longer?. I would greatly appreciate your help. This took almost an hr to type up.

Answer
Sorry it has taken so long.

1.  Fill your keg up as full as you can but leave room to add the lid.  Then charge the keg and bleed the air out.  The fuller the less air will be in it.

2.  Kegging with priming sugar is just fine.  I do it myself.  Simply add your sugar and charge the keg with enough CO2 to seal the lid.  Then set aside for about 1 or two weeks.  You can then serve or age.

3.  Aging a keg is similar to bottling.  The cooler the temp the longer it will last.

4.  Keg hose should be at least 6 foot long so 8 foot is fine.  As to raise I do not see why it would not work.

5. A keg should last about 4 weeks or at least that is my experience that is after it has been tapped.

I hope this helps.  If you have more questions let me know.

ALan