Recommendations for my innaugural keg on tap

Discussion in 'New England' started by jbar920, Mar 24, 2014.

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  1. jbar920

    jbar920 Initiate (0) Dec 23, 2008 Massachusetts

    Howdy all!

    It's been a long road, full of a lot of reading, and a lot of drinking... and not necessarily in that order... but I'm finally nearing the official 'starting line'- my kegerator has been delivered, and construction on my home bar has commenced!

    I was able to score a pair of Perlick factory seconds (24" wine reserve/bev center & 24" dual-tap kegerator) :slight_smile:and have some great bottles that have already secured their places in storage... but now, I need some input:

    what should be my first keg on tap?

    I'm no stranger to pretty much all the local offerings around NE, and absolutely love hoppy IPAs, imperials and farmhouse ales... and most importantly, love trying something new.

    looking forward to some ideas, thanks in advance!
     
    #1 jbar920, Mar 24, 2014
  2. ljkeats

    ljkeats Pundit (991) Jun 27, 2007 Massachusetts
    Society

    I'm assuming that you only have "D" couplers (which fit most American kegs)? That leaves out dropping $500 on a keg/ball of Saison DuPont!

    See what your nearest good beer store will get for you. Places like Redstone, Craft Beer Cellar, Kappy's will special order for you, others may not.

    As far as suggestions, I've seen special order 1/6 bbls of Sculpin at Redstone in the cooler.
    I have a soft spot for Notch Cerne Pivo.
    Lately I've been drinking a lot of FW Pivo Pils.

    Good luck with the bar and system balancing, and make sure to make good use of the home bar forum on BA.

    p.s. Summer beers are due out any minute!
     
    #2 ljkeats, Mar 24, 2014
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  3. AJ01923

    AJ01923 Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2013 Massachusetts

    Redstone just had Wormtown Be Hoppy 1/6 kegs. Great local hoppy beer to celebrate with. Not sure if they have any left or if you couldn't just order one.
     
    #3 AJ01923, Mar 24, 2014
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  4. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hoponius Union or Be Hoppy would be my vote.
     
    #4 Jwale73, Mar 24, 2014
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  5. DougC123

    DougC123 Savant (1,186) Aug 21, 2012 Connecticut

    Just a suggestion....get something inexpensive that won't bother you if there is a good measure of waste / loss.
    You are going to have issues with your first keg. I promise. Kegs are not plug and play, and it takes a little time to dial in your understanding as well as the draft system. While you are finishing your build read up on balancing and volumes of CO2, and get a good thermometer that can be calibrated.
     
    #5 DougC123, Mar 25, 2014
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  6. jbar920

    jbar920 Initiate (0) Dec 23, 2008 Massachusetts


    appreciate the feedback!

    Redstone & Kappy's are on my list of places to check out, but a bit of a drive from Hingham... which does make CBC a nice option... and having a pregnant wife & a 2year old @ home, well I don't get too much free time away. ha. (although, I cannot complain... the wife was the pushing force to get the bar done before baby arrives in June! lets just say she's ready to get back into the game.)

    And yes- I just had the Pivo Pils for the first time this past weekend... quite a nice segway to help get back into the pils world!

    let's hope this coming snow is a lie... I'm ready to kick back on the decks outside!
     
    #6 jbar920, Mar 25, 2014
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  7. jbar920

    jbar920 Initiate (0) Dec 23, 2008 Massachusetts


    Jacks has had a permanent place in the fridge for quite some time now... suppose they're due for the upgrade into the kegerator!
     
    #7 jbar920, Mar 25, 2014
  8. dennho

    dennho Initiate (0) Oct 29, 2006 New York

    I got a 1/6th of Sculpin two years ago. Our cost was $105. Worth every penny!
     
    #8 dennho, Mar 25, 2014
  9. jamis

    jamis Initiate (0) Nov 30, 2008 Massachusetts

    My current favorite 1/6th is Ommegang Abbey Ale. I'd like to put a stout on, but the wife keeps vetoing that.
     
    #9 jamis, Mar 26, 2014
  10. youbrewidrink

    youbrewidrink Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 Vermont

    Mass Rising
     
    #10 youbrewidrink, Mar 26, 2014
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  11. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Can you get something from Pretty Things??
     
    #11 skivtjerry, Mar 29, 2014
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  12. jbar920

    jbar920 Initiate (0) Dec 23, 2008 Massachusetts

    just for fun, figured I'd toss along an update...

    the first keg was indeed Hoponius Union, and boy, was it fun. bought a log, tapped @ 11am, and kicked @ 4pm.

    turned into a pretty FANtastic birthday party for my 2-year-old... I mean... all us Dad's :slight_smile:

    also- here's a current photo of the bar... we're about 90% complete (need to finish off cabinet doors / drawer fronts, and anchor down the butcher block tops), but it's sure fire 100% operational!

    [​IMG]

    ––––

    I think a pils may be next...
     
    #12 jbar920, Apr 29, 2014
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  13. concealed

    concealed Initiate (0) May 7, 2009 Georgia

    Cool space, I like the flooring.
     
    #13 concealed, Apr 29, 2014
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