Porta-Keg

[Duff]

Every year on the May long weekend, I go on a canoe trip. This year, I thought, why not bring a homebrew keg with me?! I did some research and my goal was to be able to easily:

- Fit a corny, ball-lock keg into a cooler (48 quart/45L)
- Use a single 20 or 24 ounce C02 tank (paintball) as it should get me through a single keg for pouring
- Keep the beer/gas lines inside the cooler.
- Make it handy/re-usable for other outings

Other thoughts:

- I would pre/force carb and pressurize the keg with my 5 pound C02 tank.
- Pack any remaining space with ice.
- Possibly port the beer line.
- Bungie / secure it like mad

The canoe run I do isn't overly difficult and always a fun time. After some thought, I decided it would be best to try and keep the keg upright. Gentlemen, I give you my solution:


It's about 4 to 5 inches short, but I'm making it work. I picked one up at Kent. I'd like to note that the bin itself sits nice and snug in a standard milk crate. Might be good for stabilizing in the canoe.

I spray foamed in the deepest part of the bin and also added some flat packing foam at the very bottom. The picnic tap and lines I ordered arrived in the mail. I also acquired a paintball c02 tank adaptor so it fits onto the regulator. The tank fits well in both back corners of the bin even with the keg in place. I think I will add a shelf/container to raise it up a little from the bottom of the bin, keep it separated from the ice and to prevent the tank from tipping over.

Before the hardware arrived, I had made a cap with the bottom of a bucket and Styrofoam which I then spray painted to an almost matched green. Once the ball locks and lines were put on the keg, however, I found I did not have quite enough clearance so I may try to find some more scrap Styrofoam and double up the thickness, unless I can think of something better.

I also decided it was easier to widen the hole on the top and use the lid with the keg in place (Lines are a pain). Since the pics were taken below, I borrowed jigsaw and angle grinder to clean up the rough edges. Apologies for the crappy cell phone quality images.


Not quite finished, but getting there. Also, a small note, a bungee cord works well over the top between the handle and lid lock.

[sleepyjamie]

there is a thread on HBT where a guy built on of these for his neighbourhood street parties.

[Jimmy]

Good idea. I use one of those bins to store my charcoal on the balcony.

[Wildcard]

This is brilliant. Who needs a beer gun when you can just bring the whole keg?

[Downs]

I really like this.

I use my jacpac and a keg for camping already.
But everything is packed in the car separate and I assemble on site.
I like the handiness of this and the ability to move it around much more then dragging a bin full of ice and the keg like i have been doing.

thanks for the share
this is great

[dexter]

Good idea. I use one of those bins to store my charcoal on the balcony.

I've got one for charcoal and one for woods for smoking on my deck as well

[Duff]

I've been lazy, but here's a small update. I purchased a roll of 5-1/2" x 82' "Sill Gasket Insulation" to line the inside of the bin. I figured having a small layer of insulation, although small, would be better than nothing. I used 3M Spray Adhesive that I already had handy to quickly apply and stick it to the inside.



I'm ready to rack a batch of brew over to my keg and also recently filled a 24oz CO2 tank, so I'll be able to test it soon.

[2Hands-1Mouth]

when its done is this thing going to be rent-able? i wouldnt mind having that for a couple days in july

[Duff]

when its done is this thing going to be rent-able? i wouldnt mind having that for a couple days in july

[Downs]

Hey Duff,

How has this thing worked out for you since creating?
I'm about to build one I think and wondered if there was any update on things to avoid or make sure you do?