Tap a Draft / Party Pig / Mini Keg Options

[chenal311]

So I'm currently looking into a couple different options for kegging some of my brews. Unfortunately, I can't afford to drop all the money into a full on kegging system and I don't have an extra fridge/freezer to store a keg or two in either so that also puts a damper on things. I keep looking at these different "mini" kegging systems (Party Pig, Tap a Draft, Mini Keg) but I'm not sure if it would be worth it at all to even drop $100+. Has anyone really tried out any of these systems to see how well they work? Any opinions or insight would be greatly appreciated. As a matter of fact, my birthday is coming up in just a couple weeks and I may even be able to talk my wife into something...
Again, any help would be great!

Thanks!

[grapeadmin]

I have used the party pig, the tap a draft and the mini kegs. They all work and work well. They are not as easy to use as a full blown kegging system, they cost more over time than a kegging system (co2 bulbs or bladders) and you have to naturally carbonate. The advantages are they are less expensive and fit in your normal fridge. Of the three systems, I believe the tap a draft and party pig are the best.

thanks
john
g and g

[doug_daniels]

You asked almost the same question I had intended on. I was wondering about the party pig for long term storage. Less than a year of course, but longer, unrefridgerated, than a couple of months. Also, does the party pig need to be initially filled. In other words, if one batch is less than 2 pigs will hold, any problem? Thanks

[grapeadmin]

The party pig is made from very dense plastic. I don't think there would be any problem storing beer in it for 6 months or more. Once you fill the pig, you pressurize it which expands the bladder to fill the pig- thus extra space will not be an issue and only partially filling it won't hurt.

thanks
john