Charlottesville Area Masters of Real Ale

Do you prefer the beer gun over counter pressure bottling?

I've tried it once and fell in love with it. I used to have a Phil's Philler and absolutely HATED it. (Sorry Phil, no offense.)

What is the major difference?  Problems with counter pressure vs. the beer gun. Pros/Cons.  Thanks.

Well for starters, just the setup instructions. The beer gun has a great manual with photos that clearly explains how it goes together and is to be used. Phill's philler is a photocopied page that was hard to read, all text and written (IMHO) rather complex instructions.

I found Phill's philler complicated. It needs two hands, better yet, three...two to work the levers (one lever opens/closes for vent release, one purges the bottle and floods it with C02- open/close and a third opens/closes for filling with beer) and one to hold the bottle. The apparatus requires you to insert it's wand into the bottle up to the stopper to get a good seal. I found this alone made the bottle too top heavy and was awkward without another set of hands. I wanted someone to steady the bottle while I worked the levers, swore, cleaned up and tried again.

The Beer Gun is a stainless steel, one handed (well, two if you count the hand holding the bottle) über gadget! Insert wand. Push button to flood with C02 - release. Pull trigger to start flow of beer - release.  Pull out wand and cap. Done. Simple. Well worth the money.

Go buy one and send me $5 for making your life easier! 

If anyone's interested, I'll bring it to our next meeting and folks can see it first hand (well, not in use).

Very cool.  I think I will go with the beer gun. LOL The $5 check is in the mail.

It did look a bit easier.  Usually the higher priced items are better.

Thanks!

If nothing else, the money spent will save you SO much in time. Fiddling with that other product, not to mention cleaning...ugh.

Beer Gun is all metal. Nothing to scratch, snap, break, etc. Just don't sit on it. 

For ease of use (and cleaning) I highly recommend threaded posts too.

Wish I could just put a bottle up to the tap and pour.  No such luck.  LOL  But it works great with a beer mug.

Thanks again.