From: jkane@earth.execpc.com (Jeff Kane)
Subject: 5l keg Brands -List of them.
Date: 14 Sep 1995 13:15:54 GMT

You guys asked me for this, so I am posting it.  I don't remember who all 
asked me via email.  This is a list of the brands of 5l kegs taht I have 
found, bought and tasted.  Remember, I am a porter/stout man, so my bias 
is not towards the clear runny stuff!

Grolsh - Just like in the bottle.  IMHO  pour it out and keep the keg.  
Of course, for those of you who like the bottled version, it will be good 
to you.

BITBurger -  This is better than the Grolsh, but still a little skunky. 
It holds up well though.  I still only bought one of these!

Dinkel Acker - I only have one of these too.  It was a good beer, just a 
little clear for my tastes.

DAB Dortmunder Actien-Brauerer -  I have two of these, only because the 
second one came with a free glass.  Still to clear for my tastes though.  
A good beer for the style though.

Kropf Genuine German Draft -  I have 4 of these.  This is great beer for 
the thinness of it.  I bought these when I couldn't find any others.  
Very drinklable, and worth trying.

Kropf Dark German Draft - My favorite so far.  Can't find it anymore 
though, shucks!  Excellent flavor.  Light brown in color, and close to a 
brown ale except that it has the crispness of a lager.

Kulmbacher Reichelbrau - Only have one of these.  I remember it as good, 
but hard to find.  Think it was light brown also, but a little more 
bitter than the Kropf Dark.

Kulmbacher Frankisches Urbier Keichelbrau -  When I couldn't find the 
Kropf dark anymore, I changed to this brand.  All around a good lager.  I 
have the most of these cans.  It didn't seem to last real long though.  
After a month, it seemed to get a little stale, but I guess others say 
this is normal for all of their beers in 5l kegs.

Kulmbacher Monchef Kloster Schwartz Bier -  Still in my fridge untapped!  
To much other beer to drink right now.  Maybe in a couple of weeks.  I 
have had the bottled version of this.  I love it!  I have found the lager 
that I like as much as my porters and stouts!  I hope this keg turns out 
as good as the bottle.

Still looking for some good ales in these.  None yet though.  I guess I 
just have to keep making my own to put in them.  These were all bopught 
in the Milwaukee area.  There are two seperate distributers because of the 
4 county area.  It seems that the Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington (WOW) one 
has a better selection, or maybe the retailers are more willing to take a 
chance on stocking them.  Talk to your local retailer and give them this 
list.  Ask them to see if they can get some of these.  Right now, the 
Kulmbacher line is prevelent.  They do seem to come and go though.  Like 
the Kropf is harder to find now.  Of course, the Grolsh and Dinkle Acker 
are always on the shelf.

As far as the bungs go, I think it was the BITBurger that had the hard 
plastic inserted kind that can't be reused.  All of the rest can be 
though.  I have refilled them at least 3 times now.  I can't comment on 
the 5-8 uses theory.  I guess I have enough, that they haven't been used 
that many times yet.  Out of my 19 kegs, only three have exploded on 
me.  Over carbonation problems.  I have heard people say that putting a 
screw driver under the bund and relieving a little after two weeks 
helps.  I tried this once, I guess it worked, not sure though if it 
wouldn't have been ok anyhow.

Good beer to you!  And happy kegging.  BTW:  I use glass, plastic (20 oz 
and 2l), 5l Al kegs, and 5 gal Cor. Kegs.  I find that each one has a use 
in my basement brewery.  I also use the Carbonator (tm) for both plastic 
and as an adpator for my 5l kegs.  I recommend it as a very satisfied 
customer.

--
Jeff Kane                                             jkane@execpc.com 
Sysop - Home Brew University BBS   Brew City Campus       414-238-9074