Hands On Review: Old Ale Ball Lock Kegs from Adventures in Homebrewing & Northern Brewer
Hands on Review AIH’s Brand New Ball Lock Kegs
Adventures in Homebrewing was a homebrew store located in Taylor, Michigan in the Detroit area. They offered a wide variety of homebrew supplies and gear including some really unique things at reasonable prices. They also had great customer service. Toward the end up 2021 AIH was bought out by Northern Brewer. Since Adventures in Homebrewing and Austin Homebrew Supply have joined Midwest Supplies in being vanity storefronts of Northern Brewer.
Adventures in Homebrewing produced a line of brand new ball lock kegs. These were AIH’s own design. They are also branded “Old Ale Supply Company”.
It seems that Northern Brewer kept very few of Adventures in Homebrewing’s unique offerings, this keg is one that they kept.
Check Current Pricing and Availability, Review Continues Below:
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (1 Pack)
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (2 Pack)
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (3 Pack)
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (4 Pack)
- 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (6 Pack)
- 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (8 Pack)
These are Amazon affiliate links. Note that multiple variations of these products may be available, as such a different version may appear at these links
What the best best kegs out there?
In my opinion, AEB Kegs are the highest quality kegs available. Kegland are just behind AEB
Italian Made AEB Kegs!
- AEB Kegs at MoreBeer
- AEB Kegs at cornykeg.com
- 5 Gallon Double Handle << The specific model reviewed in this post
- 5 Gallon Single Handle
- 3 Gallon Double Handle
- 2.5 Gallon Single Handle
- AEB Kegs at Keg Connection
- Rubber Handle Five Gallon Keg, Ball Lock, New
- New 2.5 Gallon Keg, Rubber Top and Bottom
- AEB Kegs at Keg Outlet
- 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg (New AEB Italian Keg) Rubber Top << The specific model reviewed in this post
- Search Amazon for “AEB Keg” – offerings vary
Kegland Kegs!
- Kegland Corny Keg – 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg KEG415 via MoreBeer
- Corny Keg – 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg KEG416
- Kegland Kegs at MoreBeer
- Corny Keg Lid With Welded Tab KEG448 via MoreBeer
- 5 Gallon NSF KegLand Keg via William’s Brewing
- Keg Lid With Hang Tab via William’s Brewing
- Kegland Cornelius (Corny) Keg – Stainless Steel 5 Gallon Ball Lock – via SoCal Brewing Supply
- Kegland Kegs at William’s Brewing
- Kegland 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg at Keg Outlet
- New Cornelius Keg – 5 gal Kegland (Ball lock) via Amazon
Related:
- Our Curated keg Deals Roundup
- Our Collection of Keg Reviews – AMCYL, AEB, Torpedo, Kegland and More
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A look at the top of the keg. This is a double handle rubber top and rubber bottom keg. This designed is generally preferred to single handle strap designs as it’s easier to carry, stackable and the two handles mean the keg can be inverted for draining after cleaning or sanitizing.
Stamp on the side of the side of the keg reads… Max WP 130 PSI [900 kpa], Cap 5 US GAL [19]. Guessing WP = working pressure,
Related… Rebuild Your Old Kegs!
My keg came from the first batch that was in the process of being NSF certified. Since then that process has been completed. This photo (stock image from AIH) shows NSF and ISO 9001 certification stamps.
Bottom of the keg
There was a little bit of what I would call rubber residue. Not a lot, but some. Guessing this will wear or scrub off. Maybe this is common for brand new kegs, I’ve never owned one before this.
Inside of the keg. Looks great.
Parts and pieces. Left side is liquid, right side is gas. The lid oring is white. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a white silicone. It doesn’t feel like Buna-N.
Source for Old Ale Brand Keg Compatible Dip Tube O-Rings:
These kegs don’t use standard tube o-rings. Or at least not all Old Ale brand kegs use standard dip tube o-rings.
From Valuebrew:
The vast majority of ball lock kegs use a standard size dip tube o-ring. We’ve found that some Old Ale brand ball lock kegs – sold from Northern Brewer, Adventures in Homebrewing, Midwest Supplies and Austin Homebrew Supply – require a larger size dip tube o-ring. We’re happy to announce we have an option for owners of these kegs!
Note that we’re not 100% sure this applies to every Old Ale brand keg. Our best guess is that the product changed over time so this affects some but not all Old Ale brand kegs. We recommend getting these along with some standard size dip tube o-rings. That way you’ll be covered either way.
- Old Ale Brand Ball Lock Compatible Keg Dip Tube O-Rings – Food Safe Silicone
- Standard Dip Tube O-Rings: Keg Dip Tube O-Rings – Food Safe Silicone
How To Adjust Universal Poppets for Proper Fit
Liquid dip tube
Close up on the gas side
The keg uses universal style poppets.
Close up of the lid.
What’s the Difference? Pin Lock vs Ball Lock
Kegging a Pale Ale
Pressurized, sealed up and sprayed down with Star San to check for leaks. No leaks in sight.
In my kegerator
Conclusions
I purchased my original keg in of 2015. I’ve added to my collection since, including a 2.5 gallon version. These kegs are a good quality, look great and work great. Their quality rivals my Cornelius-type brand kegs and since these are brand new, you don’t have to worry about leaks or rebuilding. I’m also glad AIH went to the time and expense to get these NSF certified.
These kegs used to sell for $75 and periodically qualify for free shipping. At that price, these were a great deal. Those days are long gone, so I would say value varies
What the best best kegs out there?
In my opinion, AEB Kegs are the highest quality kegs available. Kegland are just behind AEB
Check Current Pricing and Availability:
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (1 Pack)
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (2 Pack)
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (3 Pack)
- The Homebrew Shop 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (4 Pack)
- 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (6 Pack)
- 5 Gallon Home Brew Keg – New Ball Lock – Stainless Steel Product Tank (8 Pack)
These are Amazon affiliate links. Note that multiple variations of these products may be available, as such a different version may appear at these links
Italian Made AEB Kegs!
- AEB Kegs at MoreBeer
- AEB Kegs at cornykeg.com
- 5 Gallon Double Handle << The specific model reviewed in this post
- 5 Gallon Single Handle
- 3 Gallon Double Handle
- 2.5 Gallon Single Handle
- AEB Kegs at Keg Connection
- Rubber Handle Five Gallon Keg, Ball Lock, New
- New 2.5 Gallon Keg, Rubber Top and Bottom
- AEB Kegs at Keg Outlet
- 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg (New AEB Italian Keg) Rubber Top << The specific model reviewed in this post
- Search Amazon for “AEB Keg” – offerings vary
Kegland Kegs!
- Kegland Corny Keg – 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg KEG415 via MoreBeer
- Corny Keg – 2.5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg KEG416
- Kegland Kegs at MoreBeer
- Corny Keg Lid With Welded Tab KEG448 via MoreBeer
- 5 Gallon NSF KegLand Keg via William’s Brewing
- Keg Lid With Hang Tab via William’s Brewing
- Kegland Cornelius (Corny) Keg – Stainless Steel 5 Gallon Ball Lock – via SoCal Brewing Supply
- Kegland Kegs at William’s Brewing
- Kegland 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg at Keg Outlet
- New Cornelius Keg – 5 gal Kegland (Ball lock) via Amazon
Related:
- Our Curated keg Deals Roundup
- Our Collection of Keg Reviews – AMCYL, AEB, Torpedo, Kegland and More
More About Small 3 to 1.75 Gallon Sizes
Although these kegs are smaller, they generally sell for more than their 5 gallon counterparts. That’s especially true in the used keg market. Smaller kegs are more rare and thus more costly. In contract AIH typically sells smaller kegs for the same or similar price as their 5 gallon model.
Why Smaller Kegs? These kegs are great for splitting batches, small batch brewers, doing one-off beers from split from a 5 gallon batch… or for easily serving on the go. Purge with CO2, fill from your tap and place in ice in a 5 gallon bucket…. whammo!
Should I buy a New Keg or a Used Keg?
Used kegs are generally sourced from soda bottlers. They are built with commercial use in mind and designed to last for many years of rough duty service.
Brand new ball locks may not be made to the same standards. However… We also don’t generally put our kegs through the same abuse that a soda distributor would.
Not withstanding price. I think both options are valid. If you’re up for a little elbow grease and replacing a few parts, used may be the way to go, if you’re more interested in convenience brand new is a good choice. Practically, at least as of this posting, I think price will cause many to go the used route.
Rebuild Your Used Kegs
Keg Deals!
Everything For Your Kegerator!
More Keg Reviews!
Food Grade Keg O-rings in Bulk!
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greatdealsAlso: Kegerator Tips & Gear | Keg Repair Part #s | Recent Keg Finds
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- Commentary: Pin Lock Keg Pricing and Availability
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- Bulk Keg Orings and Keg Parts Reference
Northern Brewer: New 5 Gallon Ball Lock Cornelius (Corny) Beer Keg – Dual Rubber Handle
Midwest Supplies: 5 Gallon Ball Lock Keg
Adventures in Homebrewing:
- AIH New 5 Gallon Corny Keg Ball Lock
- Smaller Sizes – 1.75, 2.5, 3.0
- All New Kegs at AIH
- — More… All Kegs
- — Kegging Systems
Austin Homebrew Supply:
- New 5 Gallon Kegs
- Smaller Sizes – 1.75, 2.5, 3.0
- All New Kegs at AHS
- — More… All Kegs
- — Kegging Systems
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability.
Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions. tag:lnksfxd review:aih5gallonkeg tag:tpr
I have 5 of these kegs. I’ve had them for a few years with no issues. They’re very looking and built very solid.
I picked up a few of the 2.5 gallon. They have been really great kegs. They take a bit of cleaning when you get them to clean off all the oil from manufacturing, but nothing terrible. My local shop sells refurb ball lock for $50, so $75 for brand new is a great deal!
I just got two in last week and love ’em! Nice find, thanks!
These are probably the best deal that you will find on ball-lock, or new, corny kegs anywhere right now.