Getting a keg to the playa

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:27 am

I have a question for all the homebrewers out there.

Has anyone had any luck transporting a (uncarbonated) keg as checked luggage to Reno or Las Vegas?

Failing that, since I am flying to Nevada from the east coast, what shipping services have people used to get their kegs out to Nevada in the past? I'm guessing that my predicament is not original.

Thanks!

GreyCoyote · Post by **GreyCoyote** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:45 am

Out of curiosity, what does a full keg weigh, and does it have to be shipped upright?

(Can you tell I'm not a keg-drinker? LOL).

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 6:50 am

It's 'actually' a half keg, (if it's the size used in bars), and I can hoist it 6 inches off the ground to get it on the rack at work. But not 7 inches. Yeah, what does it weigh? A shit load or a fuck ton?

rideincircles · Post by **rideincircles** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:28 am

Just reread this post and completely edited it.

Rewording response.

A 5 gallon corny keg weighs about 8.5 lbs and add another 40 lbs or so for beer. I had 2 empty kegs shipped for around $30. You would need to see if liquids of that size are an issue. Also, any leaks would be a pain and loss of beer.

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:34 am

It is a Corny Keg. 5 Gallons of beer. Weighs in just under 50# full. It would have to be shipped upright if it were carbonated (and it will carbonate itself a bit on the journey (if it goes by truck)). It won't have time to carbonate if it flies out with me.

Doctor VonBacon · Post by **Doctor VonBacon** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:43 am

With the TSA being what they are, be prepared for a cavity search. Or two.

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 8:38 am

My kegs tend to leak from the lid if they're not pressurized. I'd be a little worried about checking a keg as baggage as they'll probably be throwing it all over the place and it might start leaking even if it is pressurized. A truck seems a little better if they keep it upright and handle it well.

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:07 am

Shipping is what I planned, but I do have a brand spankin new keg that seals like a virgin's.... You get the idea. Which is why I though to ask about checking it.\

What carriers do you recommend?

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:47 am

chuckularone wrote:Shipping is what I planned, but I do have a brand spankin new keg that seals like a virgin's.... You get the idea. Which is why I though to ask about checking it.\

What carriers do you recommend?

I've never shipped a full keg anywhere so couldn't say. I know it's fun to bring out your homebrew, but it might be less effort (and cheaper) to just pick up a keg of something nice in Reno.

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:50 am

I brought a bunch of canned beer from local Delaware breweries last year. It was fun to share the beers I love to drink with people who have never had them.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 9:54 am

Do not count on air transport for 5 gallons of pressurized liquid, no matter how "low" the pressure. It is a sealed fluid with explosive potential in the eyes of the airlines/TSA.

I have driven out a bunch of kegs up to the playa over the years, maybe a couple dozen or so. You have to pressurize a few PSI for elevation changes and whatnot.

Also, a Corny-Keg WILL NOT seal proper without some pressure in it. That latch up top is for getting the seating to line up before you pump the PSI in.

My advice is the following:

Brew a second batch, prep a second keg. Sugar them up for the transport so they carbonate on the way out. Corny Kegs are good up to 150 PSI but still be careful.

Connect with one of the many "container" crews from the east coast. There are a couple that operate with consistency.

Ship one, gift one on the container crew.

FlyingMonkey · Post by **FlyingMonkey** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:09 am

Doctor VonBacon wrote:With the TSA being what they are, be prepared for a cavity search. Or two.

Put fins & a nosecone on it & paint "BOMB" on the outside & they are likely to miss it all together.

YMMV

But seriously, that seems like a whole lot of trouble & expense just to get beer to the Playa. I would say try & find some "local" burners who are driving & have them haul it. I would also recommend having 5-10 PSI in the keg for the trip. Just make sure who ever hauls it doesn't have tappers

You can always relieve the excess pressure (if any) on the Playa.

chuckularone · Post by **chuckularone** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:48 am

I have found someone who may be able to haul it to the playa for me.
Failing that I'll ship it out.

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Getting a keg to the playa

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