Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2014 22:23:39 -0900
Reply-To: Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark Tuovinen <aksyncronaut@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: chilling westy draft (beer)
In-Reply-To: <CAEwp_cSmqaRN52H2rB2ZdNT8iCB50PxwPZJEBA1M8pZcFaJaHw@mail.gmail.com>
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When I was younger and messing around with muscle cars and jeep CJ's I
bought a car for its engine and it came with a beer tap installed in the
glove box. The former owner used to go out with his buddies and a keg
sitting on the front floor board hooked up to the tap. Takes drinking and
driving to a new and higher level. As a local comedian has said many times
"any time someone does something dumb an Alaskan does something dumber"!
Mark in AK
On Fri, Feb 14, 2014 at 10:35 AM, Marc Perdue <mcperdue@gmail.com> wrote:
> Tom,
>
> A friend of mine who makes beer ran a copper line through iced water to
> chill the beer. It didn't foam that much as I recall.
>
> I don't know what the laws might be with regard to having something like
> that on board, I'm sure no different than carrying a cooler full of beer or
> a keg, but without the environmental waste of bottles and cans. :) However,
> my mind went immediately to a tap mounted on the outside of the van, where
> the other three outlets are (Westy, non-Syncro). Think Kegerator on wheels!
> :D
>
> So, baffle the keg somehow to prevent sloshing/foaming, build a dry ice
> container for the coil in the cabinet in front of the wardrobe, and run a
> tap to the outside, and inside, in case it's raining. I'd put the inside
> one next to the sink for easy cleanup.
>
> Sounds like fun!
> Marc in snowy Va., where my van has been plowed in to non-moving state. :(
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 14, 2014 at 1:22 PM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote:
>
> > Thanks Jason. If I do try it, I'll report back. It would be pretty easy
> > to the gear I have on a trip before doing any serious plumbing. It
> sounds
> > like chilling the keg before departure would be the most sensible
> solution,
> > then trying to insulate it. I've used this kind of thing once at an
> event:
> > http://brewerymall.com/draft-beer-supplies/build-a-keg-cooler
> >
> > I think I get what you are saying about foaming, ie, CO2 is less soluble
> in
> > warm beer.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Feb 14, 2014 at 10:05 AM, Jason Ellsmere <jasonellsmere@me.com
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > I am in the beer business so I can help you out a bit.
> > >
> > > First point - it's not worth the effort. Too messy and complicated for
> > > not much gain.
> > >
> > > The keg needs to be cold or you will end up with a foaming problem
> using
> > a
> > > basic draught system. You can ice it but that water will need to drain
> > and
> > > re-icing is a pain. Refrigerating a coil is beyond my expertise, cool
> if
> > > you could do it.
> > >
> > > Driving with a partially full keg will cause foaming issues, again
> with a
> > > basic draught system. You can spend money on a system that will help
> > with
> > > that but it will take more space...and money.
> > >
> > > Wow that all sounds pretty negative.
> > >
> > > I can help trouble shoot if you do decide to take a crack at it.
> > >
> > > Jason
> > > Toronto
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > On Feb 14, 2014, at 12:56 PM, Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > So I have ended up with a small (5lb) CO2 canister. It seems it
> would
> > be
> > > > pretty easy to install in the van. A 20L keg is pretty compact and
> > would
> > > > fit nicely at the back of the 'wardrobe'.
> > > >
> > > > This seems like a practical way to carry an adequate supply of beer.
> > > > However, how would I chill it? Has anyone looked at ice bucket
> > immersion
> > > > chillers, series of peltier coolers ($3 a pop on ebay), or any other
> > > things
> > > > that might make sense for a tight space. Perhaps a copper line
> wrapped
> > > > around the fridge cooling elements? Doubtful I think. I had
> > previously
> > > > dreamed about using heat from the engine coolant to drive the westy
> > > fridge,
> > > > but that started to get way too far out.
> > > >
> > > > Or just stuff it and enjoy it english style (aka warm).
> > > >
> > > > Just dreaming of other work to do on the van while I slowly
> reassemble
> > > the
> > > > engine.
> > > >
> > > > Tom
> > > >
> > > > ps, if you recall the off-with-her-heads thread, I
> out-with-her-engine,
> > > and
> > > > then off-with-her-pistons, and now I am making good progress putting
> it
> > > > back together. doing it with the engine the van was hell, glad to be
> > on
> > > > the 'other side' of vw owners now.
> > >
> >
>
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