I'm starting a VERY small microbrew on a tiny island in the Pacific that is in dire need of local craft beer. I've been bottling for over a year now with GREAT success, but am finally ready to graduate to kegging. I'd like to keep it simple, using 5 gallon (1/6th) kegs and keg conditioning the brew. Shipping is REALLY expensive here so I want to order the right stuff on the first try if possible. Two questions:
1) Should I order Sanke or Corny kegs? I know Corny's are easier to clean, but I'm sure Sanke's will be easier to market to local bars & restaurants. I don't mind taking out the spear and manually cleaning if it makes them easier to sell. No keg washers out here I'm sure.
2) Do I really need to purge O2 after filling the kegs? That would mean I need a CO2 tank and a place to fill CO2 tanks, neither of which is readily available to my knowledge. I never purge the secondary or bottles and the beer turns out just fine. So can I just rack into the 1/6th (with priming sugar), put the spear in, and seal it up for fermenting?
Any thoughts would be GREAT! Thanks!!!