How to Buy a Beer Engine for Your Home Bar
If you are a fan of cask ale, you might have wondered how to enjoy it at home with the same quality and taste as in a pub. The answer is a beer engine, also known as a hand pump or a cask tap. A beer engine is a device that allows you to dispense cask ale from a container without using gas pressure, which can affect the flavor and texture of the beer. A beer engine works by creating a vacuum that draws the beer from the container through a pipe and out of a spout. The spout can be fitted with a sparkler, which is a nozzle that aerates the beer and creates a creamy head.
Buying a beer engine for your home bar can be a rewarding investment, but it also requires some research and planning. Here are some tips to help you choose and use a beer engine:
- Decide on the size and style of your beer engine. Beer engines come in different sizes, ranging from one to six pulls, depending on how many beers you want to serve at once. They also come in different styles, such as traditional brass, modern chrome, or wooden. You can also customize your beer engine with different handles and badges to match your decor or preferences.
- Choose a reliable and reputable supplier. There are many online and offline retailers that sell beer engines, but not all of them are trustworthy or offer good quality products. You should look for reviews and recommendations from other customers, as well as warranties and guarantees from the seller. Some of the well-known brands of beer engines are Angram, Masons, and Pint365. You can also buy used or refurbished beer engines from eBay or other platforms, but make sure to check the condition and functionality of the product before buying.
- Prepare your cask ale and storage. To use a beer engine, you need to have cask ale in a suitable container, such as a firkin (9 gallons), a pin (4.5 gallons), or a bag-in-box (5 liters). You can buy cask ale from local breweries or online suppliers, or you can brew your own at home. You also need to store your cask ale in a cool and dark place, preferably between 10°C and 14°C, and allow it to settle for at least 24 hours before serving.
- Set up your beer engine and enjoy. To set up your beer engine, you need to connect it to your cask ale container with a pipe and a tap, and secure it to your bar or counter with screws or clamps. You also need to prime your beer engine by pumping it several times until the beer flows out of the spout. Then you can adjust the flow rate and the sparkler according to your preference. To serve your cask ale, simply pull the handle down and fill your glass with delicious beer.
A beer engine can be a great addition to your home bar if you love cask ale and want to recreate the authentic pub experience at home. With some research, planning, and practice, you can buy and use a beer engine like a pro.
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Some of the benefits of using a beer engine are:
- You can enjoy cask ale at its best, with the natural carbonation, flavor, and aroma that are preserved by the beer engine.
- You can control the temperature, flow rate, and head of your beer, and adjust them to your liking or to suit different styles of cask ale.
- You can impress your guests and friends with your unique and stylish beer engine, and share your passion and knowledge of cask ale with them.
Some of the challenges of using a beer engine are:
- You need to have enough space and equipment to store and serve your cask ale, as well as to clean and maintain your beer engine.
- You need to consume your cask ale within a few days after opening it, as it will start to lose its quality and freshness over time.
- You need to be careful not to over-pump or under-pump your beer engine, as this can affect the taste and appearance of your beer.
A beer engine is not for everyone, but if you are a true cask ale enthusiast, you will find it worth the effort and cost. A beer engine can enhance your enjoyment of cask ale and make you feel like you are in a pub every time you pour yourself a pint.