How to Keg Your Home Brew Beer — A Guide to Home Draught Systems
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Why Keg Your Home Brew Beer?
Kegging your homebrew is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can make to your home brewing setup, transforming the tedious process of washing, filling, and capping dozens of bottles into a single quick transfer that leaves you with fresh, draught-quality beer served directly from the tap. If you brew regularly and find bottling a chore, a pressure barrel or keg is an investment that pays for itself very quickly — in time saved, in better beer, and in the sheer pleasure of pouring yourself a proper pint from your own tap.
Pressure Barrels — The Easiest Way to Keg
The simplest kegging option for UK home brewers is a pressure barrel — a sealed plastic vessel that stores and serves beer under light CO2 pressure. The King Keg is the classic UK choice, a 40-pint barrel with a bottom tap that works with LISS CO2 chargers to maintain serving pressure. To use one, simply siphon your finished beer into the sterilised barrel, add a small amount of sugar to generate natural carbonation (approximately 80g per 23 litres), seal, and leave for 7–14 days to condition. When ready, connect a CO2 charger to restore pressure and pour.
Cornelius Kegs — The Professional Option
For the most authentic draught homebrew experience, a Cornelius (Corny) keg paired with a CO2 cylinder and regulator gives you full control over carbonation levels and produces the most professional, pub-quality result. The Mangrove Jack's 19L Keg is an excellent stainless steel option for serious home brewers who want a long-lasting, food-grade kegging solution. These systems require a bit more initial investment but offer superior results and much greater flexibility.
Tips for Kegging Success
Always sterilise your keg thoroughly before filling using ChemSan or VWP. Purge the keg with CO2 if possible to avoid oxygen exposure. Transfer your beer gently to minimise splashing and oxygen uptake. Allow adequate conditioning time before serving — patience produces a much better result. Browse our full kegging and draught equipment range at BrewCo UK and start serving your homebrew on tap.