how long will a keg keep after tapping?

[mitch]

Just wondering once a keg is tapped how long will a keg keep?

[Chris]

If all is good with your seals...

A lager should last quite a while, and an ale should last 2-6 months (depending on various elements).

[beernut]

You just reminded me that I've got a milk stout on tap that doesn't get much use.
I think I'll try one!
Mmmmm. 8 mths and tastes great. Very mellow.

[Ash]

If all is good with your seals...

A lager should last quite a while, and an ale should last 2-6 months (depending on various elements).

Can you please explain why lagers last longer Chris?

[Ross]

A kegged, force carbonated beer is technically going downhill from day one; even though it can taste better from 1 week to a month or more in the keg. The life span of the beer is down to several factors, eg hygene, quality of ingredients, brewing technique (partial/AG), temperature stored at etc. A beer stored warm is likely to drop off after 1 month, whereas stored at fridge temps 3 months or more. If you treat with something like polyclar (i treat all my beers) the shelf life can be extended by up to 10 times, but in the normal home situation this is not usually neccesary. I have minimum 10 beers on tap at anyone time, so some can be on tap a fair while.
Low alcohol pale beers (as a rule) will also show negative traits far quicker than a higher alcohol or dark beer.

cheers Ross

[Ash]

So does a naturally carbonated keg last longer then, as bottles do?

[Ross]

So does a naturally carbonated keg last longer then, as bottles do?

All things being equal, yes.

cheers Ross

[OldBugman]

With proper cleanliness surely it should last just as long as a bottle?

[Ross]

So does a naturally carbonated keg last longer then, as bottles do?

All things being equal, yes.

cheers Ross

Whoops... sorry, missread above, thought it said naturally carbonated against force carbonated. keg is just a large bottle, so no real difference.

cheers Ross

[beernut]

Depends on what you're brewing i suspect.Imperial Russian Stout would be going in the bottle,Kolsch in the keg.
Cheers Glenn.

[rwh]

Yeah, I would have thought that given your sanitisation is good, it would last a similar amount of time in the keg as in the bottle. The only difference is the vessel size, and the fact that the CO2 is added from the bottle rather than by the yeast. Assuming that you're not filtering, the yeast should still preserve the brew. Even if you're drinking it, and you keep the valves clean if you're taking the fittings on and off, it should still last because you're filling the dead space with more CO2.

Or am I missing something?

[BenH]

I have minimum 10 beers on tap at anyone time, so some can be on tap a fair while.

Minimum 10 beers on tap at any one time?

God bless you and all those who sail in ye!

[Pale_Ale]

Yeah, if that's your minimum, what's your max?

[Ross]

Yeah, if that's your minimum, what's your max?

Max 18... just not all connected at once

Usually approx 16 - With 2 kegs getting knocked off every week on average, I need a ready supply.
10 taps on the bar, 3 on the reserve beer fridge & 1 on the keg storage fridge. Got a couple more planned for the bar once the coldroom goes in

I like my beer

[Pale_Ale]

Ross, that is truly impressive.

A cold room sounds like a great idea. The thought has crossed my mind, and although I'm a long way off something like that, I did note that they are not that expensive in the trader and would be a practical solution!!

Whilst on the topic of keg carbonation, The Austral in Adelaide dispenses 'aged' kegs of Sparkling Ale, which I must say tastes fantastic. Are the Coopers kegs natrually carbonated then? I gather they are the minority and most of the commcercials are artificial due to the fact they filter out the yeast?