[rtrvrtrnr]

I dread having to clean and sanitize bottles (I currently use flip-top pint size and magnum bottles), so Santa has committed to delivering a new system.  But I don't know which set-up to get. 

I brew 5 gal batches and will drink a pint or two every other day or so.  My question is; Do I get a 3 gal mini draft, a couple of party pigs, or a 5 gal corny?  I'm leaning toward the 5 gal corny given that I'm trying to decrease my time spent brewing, but does the beer stay fresh for the 5 to 6 weeks it takes me to consume it at a rate of a pint or 2 per day?

[theDarkSide]

Go with the 5 gallon system.  You can always bottle what's left if you need to free up the keg to brew some more. 

I just bought a 2 keg setup from Kegconnection.com and it will be sitting on my doorstep this afternoon when I get home from work.  Chest freezer will be coming on Saturday, which gives me one week to get it all setup to keg my first beer, a winter warmer currently fermenting.

[Thirsty_Monk]

If you get corny keg you will also need CO2 tank and regulator.
Yes beer will stay fresh for long time because you are pushing it with CO2 gas.

[mrcceo]

I would go with the corny's.
As long as you follow good sanitation procedures, maintain the seals, and purge the air with co2,  your beer will easily keep for a year.

[majorvices]

Don't waste you money on the other systems when eventually down the line you will want to go with the 5 gallon system. Also, get a few extra kegs. You can find them used for 20 bucks sometimes. I used to be able to get them for 10 bucks a piece. That's why I have over 20 kegs. 

I have some beers in kegs that are well over a year old, barley wines and RIS and sour beers and such. Kegged beer actually stays fresher longer than bottled beer, mainly because the O2 exposure goes way down.

[1vertical]

That's why I have over 20 kegs. 

So Thats why they call you majorvices.  My paltry 6 keg line up is childs play...

[bluesman]

Don't you know that's how they coined the acronym OCD.

Obsessive Cornelius Disorder...damn that majorvices. 

[majorvices]

And can you believe I sometimes have trouble finding an empty keg to put beer in?? 

I also have three 15.5 cu. ft. temp controlled chest freezers, but that is another story. 

[1vertical]

Anyway back on topic, to the OP, take a lead by example...the corny kegs are the way to go

[rtrvrtrnr]

Thanks to all.  I just bought a 2 corny keg system from http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=324 The dude that took the call answered my questions and was very helpful.  Based on this experience, I will do business with them again in the future.

[wzl46]

And can you believe I sometimes have trouble finding an empty keg to put beer in?? 

I also have three 15.5 cu. ft. temp controlled chest freezers, but that is another story. 

Now you're just showing off!

[theDarkSide]

I have did my first kegging ever on Saturday, and thought I screwed something up because it was so easy.  Got a little confused with the carbonation technique ( skaing rather than sitting ) but got some great advise from another forum so I'm good to go.

Enjoy your new kegging system ( I know I'm enjoying mine ).

[bluesman]

And can you believe I sometimes have trouble finding an empty keg to put beer in?? 

I also have three 15.5 cu. ft. temp controlled chest freezers, but that is another story. 

Now you're just showing off!

No he just has some majorvices.   

[tygo]

Thinking about pulling the trigger on a keg system soon.  Question though:  Can you just put the CO2 canister into the fridge along with the kegs or is it necessary to keep it outside of the fridge for temperature reasons?  I can probably convince my wife to get a cheap fridge to put in the garage however I'm not sure that I could make a convincing argument for drilling holes in the side of it.

[Thirsty_Monk]

Can you just put the CO2 canister into the fridge along with the kegs

I do keep my CO2 tank in the fridge.
One bad thing is that I never know when I run out of CO2.
I get no warnings and then I am out.
If you keep your tank in room temp the regulator should show you that you are close to be empty.