nostalgia cbd5ss homecraft on tap beer growler cooling system

[Pyg]

For my birthday swmbo bought me a nostalgia cbd5ss homecraft on tap beer growler cooler thing.
Without opening, it appears to be a 1 gallon growler that uses co2 cartridges to carb the beer.
I was hoping for a real kegerator, however life doesn’t always work out the way we want.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Do I brew a bunch of 1 gallon batches and use this contraption for awhile?
Do I have the uncomfortable Talk with swmbo about returning this gift?

Any advice is appreciated

 

[cloudybrewer]

Do I have the uncomfortable Talk with swmbo about returning this gift?

RIP, Pyg.

 

[cloudybrewer]

On a more constructive note...


It sells for$110 on Amazon, and got pretty shotty reviews. Maybe explain to her that this contraption is for bringing carbonated beer home from a brewery and serving, which doesn't help you that much.

Only you know your wife, and how she'll react.

 

[North_of_60]

That’s tough, it’s not what you want, but your wife thought it would please you. I might just try to make the best of the situation and continue with my 5 gallon batches, bottle 4 gallons and put 1 in the growler. It would be nice for entertaining at home, taking to a friends house or picnics.

 

[Pyg]

On a more constructive note...


It sells for$110 on Amazon, and got pretty shotty reviews. Maybe explain to her that this contraption is for bringing carbonated beer home from a brewery and serving, which doesn't help you that much.

Only you know your wife, and how she'll react.

I am thinking this is for beer you get at the bottle shop or brewery. I don’t know that it is targeted at the Home brewer.
Is a single CO2 cartridge going to carbonate 1 gallon of beer?

Thanks for info

 

[Sadu]

If you currently have bottle conditioned beer, you don't need to transfer into a growler to serve when you can just pour the bottle into a glass. A 16g cartridge at $2 or whatever each will struggle to serve a gallon of beer so to me it seems a backwards step. Might be handy for someone who buys growler fills and wants them to stay fresh between pours, but not so much for a brewer IMO. I would sincerely thank her for supporting the hobby, then take it back and set the money aside for a proper kegging setup.

 

[cloudybrewer]

I am thinking this is for beer you get at the bottle shop or brewery. I don’t know that it is targeted at the Home brewer.
Is a single CO2 cartridge going to carbonate 1 gallon of beer?

Thanks for info

I honestly don't know, other than a few reviews on Amazon say that it can only push the beer not carbonate it, and that setting it to not foam like crazy was quite hard. I don't have any experience with the product.

 

[Pyg]

We had a nice talk.
I made a rational, detailed case as to why this item was not useful for a home brewer.
She will understood and is working in returning.
You not issue- amazon states that since the item has “gas” (co2 cartridge) they do not take it as a return

 

[Pyg]

Follow up-
Swmbo contacted amazon for a return. They indicated they are unable to accept this item for return shipping due to co2 items, but will refund our $$$ in full!

So looks like I will be using the thing anyway!