When it comes to kegging beer, homebrewers typically have three main styles to choose from: Ball Lock, Pin Lock, and Sankey kegs. Each style has its own unique characteristics and advantages, so let's take a closer look at each one.
1. Ball Lock Kegs:
– Ball lock kegs, also known as Cornelius kegs or “Corny” kegs, were originally designed for soda dispensing.
– These kegs feature a quick-disconnect mechanism that uses a ball bearing to lock and release the gas and liquid lines.
– Ball lock kegs are usually slightly taller and narrower than pin lock kegs.
– The gas (in) and liquid (out) posts on ball lock kegs have different diameters, making it easy to differentiate between the two.
– Many homebrewers prefer ball lock kegs because they are widely available and can be easier to find used.
– They are also considered easier to clean and maintain due to the design of the disconnects.
2. Pin Lock Kegs:
– Pin lock kegs, also known as Coca-Cola kegs or “Coke” kegs, were originally used by the Coca-Cola company for soda dispensing.
– These kegs use a pin-locking mechanism on the gas and liquid posts, which requires a special tool to connect and disconnect the lines.
– Pin lock kegs are typically shorter and wider than ball lock kegs.
– The gas and liquid posts on pin lock kegs have the same diameter, making them less intuitive to differentiate.
– While pin lock kegs are not as commonly used by homebrewers, some prefer them for their simplicity and durability.
– One advantage of pin lock kegs is that they can often be found at lower prices compared to ball lock kegs.
3. Sankey Kegs:
– Sankey kegs, also known as commercial kegs or “D” system kegs, are the standard kegs used by most commercial breweries.
– These kegs have a different design compared to ball lock and pin lock kegs, with a single, large valve on the top for both gas and liquid.
– Sankey kegs require a specialized coupler to connect and disconnect the keg from the dispensing system.
– While less common among homebrewers, some choose to use Sankey kegs for their convenience and compatibility with commercial draft systems.
– One advantage of Sankey kegs is that they are typically larger in size, ranging from 5 gallons to 15.5 gallons, allowing for larger batch sizes.
In my personal experience as a homebrewer, I have used both ball lock and pin lock kegs. I find ball lock kegs to be more readily available and easier to work with due to the variety of disconnect options and the ease of cleaning. However, pin lock kegs can be a more cost-effective option if you can find them at a lower price. Sankey kegs, while not as commonly used by homebrewers, can be a great choice if you want to replicate a commercial draft system setup.
The choice of keg style for homebrewers ultimately depends on personal preference, availability, and budget. Whether you go with ball lock, pin lock, or even Sankey kegs, kegging your homebrewed beer can offer convenience, ease of serving, and the ability to carbonate and dispense your beer with greater control.