QUESTION: What is it?

ANSWER: The Party-Pig™ is a self contained beer packaging /dispensing system. It replaces bottles and/or kegging systems for finishing and serving beer. The Pig uses an amber PET plastic bottle that holds 2.25 gallons (which is equivalent to one case of 24, 12 oz. containers) of beer and an attached valve for drawing it at your convenience.

QUESTION: How does it work?

ANSWER: The package works because it has a patented pressure pouch, inside the bottle with the beer, which inflates to a constant 15-20 pounds per square inch of pressure and keeps the beer fresh and carbonated for several months. The pressure pouch is not attached to anything and floats freely inside the bottle. As beer is dispensed the pressure pouch expands and completely fills the bottle. The pressure pouch contains food grade chemicals that mix on demand to produce CO2 gas, which maintains pressure in the bottle. This gas remains in the pouch and doesn't contact the beer.

QUESTION: How big is it?

ANSWER: Two "Pigs" are just the right size to hold the contents of a 5 gallon fermenter. Each is 9 inches in diameter and has an overall length of 15 inches.

QUESTION: Is it easy to use?

ANSWER: Yes! One bottle to clean and handle rather than 24 (or 12, 22 oz. ) bottles. No gas cylinders and regulators to carry around and adjust. Each Pig has its own carrying strap and support tray so it is easy to carry and it fits into most refrigerators.

QUESTION: How do I, as a homebrewer, use it?

ANSWER: Simply put beer from your primary fermenter into the Party-Pig™ No secondary fermenter is necessary as priming sugars can be added to the beer in the Pig Final conditioning will occur in the Pig.

QUESTION: What do I need to get started?

ANSWER: A support to hold the bottle in the upright position during filling, an activation pump or some other method of pressurizing the bottle to activate the pressure pouch and a Phillips head screwdriver. The Party-Pig™ Kit contains complete instructions and all of the components necessary for one Pig of beer plus an additional pressure pouch for a second filling. All of the components, except the pressure pouch, are re-usable.

QUESTION: What is the activation pump?

ANSWER: The pressure pouch is activated by pressurizing the bottle. This pressure acts on the pressure pouch and initiates the chemical reaction that inflates the pressure pouch. After beer and priming sugars are put into the Pig, the pressure pouch (which is pre-sterilized) is inserted into the bottle and the valve is then attached to the bottle. Then the pressure pouch is activated by pressurizing the bottle to 10-15 pounds per square inch.

This can be done with a pump that supplies oil free air or with a CO2 system if one is available.

QUESTION: What is the bottle filling support?

ANSWER: When filling, inserting the pressure pouch, attaching the valve and activating the pressure pouch, the bottle must be in the upright position. This can be done with a bucket of the correct size or with a support stand made for this purpose.

QUESTION: Won't putting air into the bottle with the beer affect its flavor?

ANSWER: No! Since your beer contains live yeast the yeast will consume any free oxygen. Also once the pressure pouch has been activated you can bleed off almost all of the air.

QUESTION: Will the bottle or pouch affect the flavor of my beer?

ANSWER: No! Everything that comes in contact with your beer is FDA food grade material and will not impart any flavors to the beer.

QUESTION: How many times can I reuse the Party-Pig™?

ANSWER: Everything is reusable except the pressure pouch. With care the components should last for many years. You will only need a new pressure pouch for each use of your Pig.

QUESTION: How easy is it to clean?

ANSWER: Since the bottle remains under pressure, even after the beer is gone, no air or other contaminates enter the bottle until you open it and remove the pressure pouch. Then it is a simple matter to rinse the bottle and valve with hot water and sterilize them; they are then ready for re-use. You may want to use an alkaline cleaner which is usually available at a homebrew shop.

QUESTION: Can the Party-Pig™ be used as a primary fermenter?

ANSWER: Yes, the Party-Pig™ bottle can be used to ferment a 2-1/2 gallon batch of beer. Simply use a #13 rubber stopper with a fermentation lock and place the bottle upright in a bottle filling support. Once fermentation is complete, the beer can be placed in a clean container while the bottle is cleaned in preparation for "Pigging" ; i.e., transferring your beer back into the bottle, inserting the Pressure Pouch, adding the priming sugar, attaching the valve and activating the Pressure Pouch.

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