What’s The Distinction? Evaluating AEB and AMCYL Ball Lock Kegs!

AEB and AMCYL producer ball lock kegs, additionally referred to as soda pre-mix tanks. Homebrewers use these for beer, cider and seltzer. Espresso retailers use them for chilly brew, Kombucha makers use them for kombucha and on and on.

A standard query I see, or instantly hear, is… what’s the distinction between AMCYL and AEB?  It’s a fantastic query. Each make new ball lock kegs, each go by abbreviated firm names and each begin with…. A.  Perhaps they’re the identical? This write up goals to reply the query and offers you a whole run down of what’s the identical and what’s completely different.

Palms on Evaluations of Each:

This submit will give an outline of every keg with comparisons. If you would like a deep dive into both one, I’ve in depth palms on opinions of each kegs.

AEB vs AMCYL Kegs, In contrast…

Vital Observe: On this comparability, when two kegs are pictured, AEB kegs will at all times be on the proper an AMCYL kegs shall be on the left.

Nation of Origin

AEB: A.E.B. kegs are made in Italy. AEB leans closely on their Italian id. That is smart to me as I typically assume Italian made = prime quality. That’s a broad stroke, however my espresso machine was made in Italy and it’s superb. So, truthful or unfair, that’s the place I’m at.AMCYL: The AMCYL Keg I obtained was made in India.

Common Visible Inspection and Keg Imprints

Right here’s a have a look at each kegs with keg imprints exhibiting.AEB Keg ImprintAMCYL Keg ImprintHigh down view

Facet Observe: Keg O-Rings

Since doing my submit on reconditioning kegs, I’ve gotten into the behavior of instantly changing all o-rings with Valuebrew Meals Grade Gaskets. I exploit inexperienced and blue for the posts to make identification fast and straightforward… inexperienced = gasoline, blue = beer. It’s price noting that this isn’t one thing it’s a must to do, I desire meals grade silicone and the color-coding and I’ve these readily available since I picked them up in bulk. Little or no price on a per o-ring foundation making these upgrades.

Valuebrew has launched a second customized shade scheme choices. Grey and Black o-rings. As the image signifies these are designed to match customary grey and black keg QDs.  These have grow to be customary colours on ball lock, pin lock (normally the underside portion of the QD) and even lately launched Kegland QDs (heart portion).

Posts and Poppets

AEB: In contrast to loads of the newer kegs AEB keg doesn’t characteristic common poppets. The poppets are additionally… non-removable. Many of the AEB kegs I’ve seen have completely put in/non-removable poppets. See my AEB keg evaluation for extra on this matter together with guarantee points.

The keg I reviewed featured 7/8″ x 6 level posts. See: Palms on Evaluate: Craftsman Deep Nicely Sockets for Ball Lock Keg PostsAMCYL: The AMCYL keg I reviewed options common poppets. Associated: Common Poppet Suggestions & Trick.

The keg I reviewed featured 6 level 11/16″ posts. See: Palms on Evaluate: “Ball Lock Keg Wrench” – 11/16″+7/8″ Ratcheting Wrench

Top

My AEB keg was barely taller than my AMCYL keg. Dimensions might be present in both evaluation.

Common Stainless Metal Look and High quality

The AEB keg incorporates a polished end, All AMCYL kegs I’ve seen have a matte end. This makes AEB kegs look nicer. I can’t say that both stainless is a better high quality, however appearance-wise AEB kegs look higher.

AEB – Test Present Costs, Fashions and Availability:

AMCYL – Test Present Costs, Fashions and Availability:

A Nearer Have a look at Welds

A have a look at the underside weld and rubber keg bottoms. AEB weld on the left is way cleaner.A have a look at the highest weld and rubber keg tops. AEB weld on the left is way cleaner.AEB: A have a look at the T the place the vertical and prime most horizontal welds meet. AEB palms down seems to be higher in comparison with AMCYL…AMCYL: A have a look at the T the place the vertical and prime most horizontal welds meet.Each kegs with vertical appear aspect exhibiting. Click on to zoom. The AEB keg’s weld is barely discernable.

AEB’s Laser Welds

From MoreBeer’s 2.5 Gallon AEB Keg Description:

The standard of those Italian-made cornelius kegs is plain. They’re welded by laser beneath inert gasoline which suggests there aren’t any nooks or crannies the place micro organism can cover. They could price greater than kegs made in China however the high quality distinction is an ideal batch versus a ruined one. High quality is vital as a result of your beer could sit in these kegs for months. If micro organism will get into a foul weld they will very exhausting to kill.

Match and End

Match and End AMCYL Keg… I’m undecided if you happen to can decide it up, however the posts on this keg are barely angled. My guess is that this isn’t a construct high quality challenge, that it’s by design and associated to the angle that the straight dip tube must be to hit the middle of the keg. However, I’ll say that it seems to be a bit wonky. No actual impact on the perform of the keg, simply one thing I’d usually anticipate to be straight.

Inside The Kegs

AEB: The within seems to be lovely.AMCYL: A glance contained in the keg. You possibly can see the straight liquid out dip tube. A number of the welds on this keg are lower than A+ for my part, however the inside is the place it actually counts. and this seems to be nice.

Conclusions

AEB is the clear winner so far as keg high quality.

I’m guessing I’ve had 25 kegs undergo my residence brewery. Not that I’ve 25 now, I most likely have a dozen. I’ve had shoddy kegs that wanted bunches of elements, I’ve had kegs with numerous potential that wanted to be rebuilt and I’ve had very good kegs AND… the AEB keg I reviewed is nicest.

The AMCYL can be an excellent high quality keg. It’s additionally NSF licensed. It does have a pair match and end points. These are beauty and shouldn’t have an effect on the perform of those kegs in daily use.

Like many issues, your choice on which keg to purchase will most likely be influenced by price vs high quality and options.  I’ve a $300 lab high quality digital refractometer. I even have a $15 refractometer. Each work. Worth and availability being equal, AEB is a transparent winner. These issues most likely gained’t be equal. So, hopefully, I’ve given you adequate info to make the proper choice if you happen to’re making an attempt to determine between these two keg producers.

AEB – Test Present Costs, Fashions and Availability:

AMCYL – Test Present Costs, Fashions and Availability:

Palms on Evaluations of Each:

Ought to I purchase a New Keg or a Used Keg?

Used kegs are typically sourced from soda bottlers.  They’re constructed with business use in thoughts and designed to final for a few years of tough obligation service.

Model new ball locks is probably not made to the identical requirements.  Nonetheless… We additionally don’t typically put our kegs by the identical abuse {that a} soda distributor would.

Not withstanding value.  I feel each choices are legitimate.  When you’re up for a bit elbow grease and changing a number of elements, used stands out as the approach to go, if you happen to’re extra keen on comfort model new is an effective alternative.  Virtually, a minimum of as of this posting, I feel value will trigger many to go the used route.

Rebuild Your Used Kegs

Keg Offers!

Pin Lock vs Ball Locks, What’s the Distinction?

Every little thing For Your Kegerator!

Keg Evaluations!

Meals Grade Keg O-rings in Bulk!

Extra Homebrew Finds!

Additionally: Kegerator Suggestions & Gear | Keg Restore Half #s | Latest Keg Finds

Our High Draft Assets!

Particular because of Keg Outlet for offering the keg used for analysis on this evaluation.

Worth, promotions and availability can change rapidly. Test the product web page for present value, description and availability.

Ensure that the elements you utilize are suitable and rated on your meant utility.  Contact producer with questions on suitability or a selected utility.  At all times learn and observe producer instructions. prime:aebvsamcyl tag:tpr