I've got a question here..
this happens to me all the time. I order beer on tap from a pub and it just doesn't taste the same as from the bottle. I expect some difference but its kinda big. I've been figurnig out a way to get set up to keg up here but wanted to give naturally aging the kegs a go (hoping for better flavour).
If so, how long would one of those small bottles of CO2 last, i.e., just to dispense.
If you're happy to naturally carbonate you could save with Diemen 540g CO2 bottle ($40-60) on ebay pickup Moorabbin.
Also, with serving pressure, how much difference does serving pressure make to the beer in the glass if the carbonation pressure is naturally driven?
I'm kind of bending towards getting 2-3 kegs ($55 each, local), picnic tap/s & a small bottle (there is a scuba place locally that refills them) and the cheapest regulator that would reliably maintain enough serving pressure while the cylinder tap is open. I'm really not keen to force carb beer. Have experimented with aging beer in a cube, just releasing the pressure every so often to keep it from blowing up and then a mate bottled it. The beer was bloody delicious, compared to my last try with 1 different hop in the same beer, it was cloudy but the mouthfeel was much nicer. Pity I can't just serve from a cube

but kegs sound good, just need advice on what is ACTUALLY required for dispensing naturally carbed kegs...
Also, the deal with non-return valves.... what do I need there. So far, from reading up on it, micromatic doesn't come with one, tesuco does. Cheap chinese - who knows. I suppose if I don't have the gas turned on and turn the keg side on there is a chance I'll get beer shooting up the line to the regulator.