When it comes to kegs, there are two main types that are commonly used – ball-lock kegs and pin-lock kegs. These kegs are named after the type of posts they have for connecting and disconnecting the gas and liquid lines. Let's dive deeper into each type.
1. Ball-Lock Kegs:
Ball-lock kegs are often referred to as Pepsi-style kegs, as they were initially used primarily by Pepsi. These kegs feature ball-lock posts, which have small, round balls that serve as the locking mechanism. The gas and liquid lines connect to these posts by pushing them on and pulling them off. The gas post has a larger diameter than the liquid post, making it easy to differentiate between the two.
Personal Experience: I remember my first encounter with a ball-lock keg when I attended a beer festival. The kegs were labeled with colorful stickers, and the convenience of connecting and disconnecting the lines using the ball-lock posts made it a breeze for the brewers to serve their beers efficiently. It was fascinating to see how easily the lines were attached and detached with just a simple push and pull motion.
2. Pin-Lock Kegs:
Pin-lock kegs, on the other hand, were primarily used by Coca-Cola, hence their nickname “Coke-style” kegs. Unlike ball-lock kegs, these kegs have pin-lock posts, which have small pins or hooks that act as the locking mechanism. Similar to ball-lock kegs, the gas and liquid lines connect by pushing them on and pulling them off the posts. However, the pins on the posts make it slightly more challenging to connect and disconnect compared to ball-lock kegs.
Personal Experience: I recently had the opportunity to help out a friend who runs a small craft soda business. He exclusively uses pin-lock kegs for storing and dispensing his delicious soda creations. I must say, connecting and disconnecting the lines on these kegs took a little more effort and precision, but it wasn't too difficult once I got the hang of it. The unique design of the pin-lock posts gave me a sense of nostalgia, reminding me of the classic Coca-Cola branding.
Ball-lock kegs and pin-lock kegs are the two main types of kegs used in the beverage industry. While ball-lock kegs have round ball-lock posts and are often associated with Pepsi, pin-lock kegs have pin-lock posts and are commonly linked to Coca-Cola. Both types have their own unique characteristics and experiences associated with them, adding to the diverse world of kegging beer and other beverages.