Traveling keg

[Lunatic Soup]

I've just started kegging and want to take some beer to a family function, 3 to 4 hour drive. Is it better to store it at room temp and take it, or chill it and try and keep it cool on the drive. Also when's the best time to carbonate it.
Thanks.

[snowcapt]

Keg it, cool it, carb it, drink it.

[brewinhard]

If you are traveling, the keg will most likely get bumped around a bit and could knock some yeast/sediment back up into the beer creating a less than perfect serving. You could keg the beer initially and let it cold condition for a couple weeks, then about a week before you leave, rack that clear beer into a second keg, carbonate it, and transport it cold. This should give you a cleaner pour for the party!

[andy77]

If you are traveling, the keg will most likely get bumped around a bit and could knock some yeast/sediment back up into the beer creating a less than perfect serving. You could keg the beer initially and let it cold condition for a couple weeks, then about a week before you leave, rack that clear beer into a second keg, carbonate it, and transport it cold. This should give you a cleaner pour for the party!

Ditto. As to the cool vs warm, if you are force carbing the beer you've already chilled the beer down anyway. No point in warming it up in advance of your trip. Just take it out of the fridge, wrap it in a sleeping bag or blankets, and throw it in the trunk.

[Puttie00]

Like brewinhard said you could rack to a new keg before you leave unless you don't get much sediment on the bottom. I go to brewfest's with our beers all the time and never changed kegs and never had cloudy beer (maybe the first glass). They make these keg jackets with slide in freezer bags that keep your beer cool and go over your keg. You could just buy the outside jacket that insulates if your keeping it in a tub at the party, otherwise buy both units then you don't have to worry about ice or a tub. Check it out.
KEG BLANKETS:http://www.grapegrainandbeanstore.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=16076
KEG ICE BLANKET: http://www.grapegrainandbeanstore.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=16077

[Lunatic Soup]

Nice. Sounds easy enough. I reckon i could make one of those neoprene wraps out of an old wetsuit. Thanks for the info.
bottoms up.

[lunitick1976]

What if you (I) were to try to make a 16 hour car trip? or would Bottling be the way to go?

[Puttie00]

I never gone that far with a keg in the truck but we do travel 8 hours with a keg and it serves great. by the way I use those jackets and freeze liners on all my beer and there cold as well.