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If you’re a homebrewer, you know that the process of crafting your beer is only half the battle. The other half is figuring out how to package your brew so it can be enjoyed by others. Depending on what kind of packaging you choose, you may need to invest in additional equipment and supplies—and there are pros and cons to each option.
What are the Options for Packaging Homebrewed Beer?
Homebrewing beer is both an art and a science, bringing together the perfect combination of water, hops, yeast, and grains to create your own unique batch of delicious craft beer. Packaging your homebrewed beer can often be just as important as brewing it, as it allows you to share your creations with family and friends so they can experience all the hard work and love that went into making it!
Thankfully there are multiple methods of packaging homebrewed beers for easy sharing or sale. Bottles of various sizes, cans, growlers—even kegs can be used depending on what you're looking for. With the right supplies, creatively decorated for a handmade touch, you can make sure everyone enjoys your latest homebrew in style!
Kegging Your Beer
Kegging your beer requires purchasing a keg, which can be costly but has the potential to save money over time since refilling CO2 tanks is much more cost-effective than buying new bottles for every batch of beer. Additionally, kegs make storing and serving beer much easier; all you have to do is hook up the CO2 tank, regulate the pressure on the regulator, and let it sit in a cool place until it’s ready to be served.
The downside to kegging is that it takes up more space than bottling; you will need both a refrigerator or cooler large enough to store your kegs as well as an area with enough room for your taps and CO2 tanks. You will also need special hoses and connectors that are compatible with your particular setup, making it more difficult if you ever decide to switch systems down the road.
If you're interested in getting a keg, check out the Slimline Torpedo Ball Lock Keg. If you need a kegerator to put the keg in (have to keep it cold and dispense the precious beer somehow), you can check out the KOMOS Kegerators.
Bottling Your Beer
Bottling requires fewer supplies than kegging does; all you need are bottles (which can be reused many times) as well as caps and cappers for sealing them shut. Bottles also take up less space than kegs do; all you need is an area where they can be stored upright until they’re ready for consumption. Plus, since bottles are smaller than kegs, they’re much easier to transport—making them ideal if you plan on giving some to family and friends.
The downside of bottling is that it takes longer than kegging does; unless you have access to an automated bottling line or other commercial-grade equipment, filling even just one case of 12-ounce bottles will take close to an hour (not including cleanup). Additionally, because each bottle needs its own cap and sealer, there’s a higher risk of contamination due to improper sealing or other issues related to human error—so make sure that any bottles that don’t seal properly get thrown out!
If you want to up your bottling game, check out the Blichmann Beer Gun on MoreBeer.
Canning Your Beer
Packaging beer normally involves kegging it or bottling it. But have you ever thought of canning homebrewed beer? Canning offers some distinct advantages over kegging and bottling that make it an attractive option.
While cans may require more investment than bottles or kegs upfront, using aluminum does provide better UV protection for your precious batch, meaning your beer stays fresh for much longer. Additionally, cans are often recyclable and do not require expensive cap purchases like bottles do. Furthermore, cans create less waste since they weigh next to nothing compared to their glass counterparts. On the downside, however, some argue that a lack of oxygen permeability can sometimes give canned beers a metallic off-taste so proceed with caution if you choose this method of packaging.
If you want to invest in canning equipment to give this a shot, Cannular Pro Bench Top Can & Crowler Seamer.
Putting Your Beer in a Growler
Growlers are a great way to transport carbonated beer that is easily carried and doesn’t require as much time as kegging or bottling. However, if you are trying to carbonate your beer in a growler like you would in a bottle, most growlers can’t handle the pressure required while the beer is carbonating. Definitely don't try to do this in a normal glass growler as it could be dangerous and burst the glass, or more likely shoot the cap off like a rocket.
Advantages of growlers can be seen in their affordability and portability, but they also have some drawbacks such as the need for quick consumption after opening and not providing ideal carbonation levels. If you’re looking for more carbonation control and longer shelf life, kegging, bottling or canning will be able to provide that. Ultimately deciding between the options will depend on your personal preferences and the desired use - so give them all a try!
If you are interested in breaking from the crowd and getting a stainless steel growler, check out the Ultimate Growler. It's not rated for pressure, but some people say they have gotten away with carbonating in this growler. Proceed at your own risk.
Conclusion - Kegging vs. Bottling vs. Canning
For most homebrewers who want their beers available for immediate consumption (or those who just want something quick), kegging may be the way to go since it's faster and easier than bottling—but there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes down to packaging homebrewed beers.
Ultimately, which option works best for your particular situation depends on things like budget restrictions, how much space/equipment/supplies you have available at home or wherever else your brews might end up being stored/served from, etc., so make sure that whichever method you choose suits your specific needs before investing in any additional materials or equipment! Happy brewing!
Whether you are a kegger, bottler, or canner of homebrew, everyone needs a place to store their recipes and make those important brewday calculations. Brewgr is a free online homebrew community that allows you to do just that - signup for Brewgr today and get brewing!