Brew UK Forum » Tag: Barrel

Brew UK Forum » Tag: Barrel - Recent Posts http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Brew UK Forum » Tag: Barrel - Recent Posts en Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:05:37 +0000 beany151067 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29508 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:29:32 +0000 beany151067 29508@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ thanks for that info saracen,i did'nt know they exploded that easy cheers mate. saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29469 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:14:19 +0000 saracen 29469@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Beany. I use wine bottles as well, but only for a couple of pints from a brew I can put away for a few months. The rest stays in the barrel. Wine bottles take next to no pressure before they explode, so be very careful how much sugar you put in them. No more than 2 gms per pint. beany151067 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29415 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:51:49 +0000 beany151067 29415@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ i am using glass wine bottles for my beer(when you have had a skin full it don,t look so bad)....... seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29390 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:30:09 +0000 seamus48 29390@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Yeah, that would work too... <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29389 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:28:10 +0000 saracen 29389@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Once the syphon flow starts it's tricky to go from bottle to botle without either losing the flow and having to start again or getting beer spilt/wasted.</blockquote> I bought a little, plastic inline style tap from a brew shop, cut the syphon pipe and fitted it 12 inches from the end. When bottle full .... turn off tap. Nath on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29377 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:09:50 +0000 Nath 29377@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I always use a syphon tube, just with a bottling stick on it since I threw away my old FV with a tap on. seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29359 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:15:28 +0000 seamus48 29359@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Snap!... what do I win? <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> Trying to syphon with no tap and/or no little bottler (or similar) is a problem. Once the syphon flow starts it's tricky to go from bottle to botle without either losing the flow and having to start again or getting beer spilt/wasted. It can be done sure enough but it's a right PITA and you will make a mess, how big a mess depends on how nifty you are. Never again for me. At least you can shut off a tap, or just lift the little bottler to stop the beer flowing. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29358 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:13:57 +0000 CarlW21 29358@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ah my Fermentation barrel has no tap...I just siphon it out with a tube and clip Hamish on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29356 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:10:26 +0000 Hamish 29356@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>or could I bottle it with an open ended tube</blockquote> Yes, I just have a short piece of syphon tube attached to the barrel tap. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29355 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:07:59 +0000 CarlW21 29355@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Great, so bottles, bottle capper, is the little bottler a must or could I bottle it with an open ended tube ? I had no problems when I siphoned out the FV into the Barrel I got pretty much almost it all out there without disturbing the sediment. (shame it then lived it's last days out on my floor) =( ! seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29285 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:46:16 +0000 seamus48 29285@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ A little bottler will fit onto the end of that siphon tube if you soften it (the tube end, not the bottler) in hot water first. Put the FV on a worktop. Then you need the bottles. I put mine in a old milk crate to hold them all securely and place in on the floor below the FV. I fill the STERILISED tube and bottler with cooled boiled water, put the open end into the beer, drain the water in the bottler down into a jug which draws beer into the tube to replace it, then start bottling. Then cap 'em. Job done. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29284 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:40:40 +0000 CarlW21 29284@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ So what are the basics I need for bottling ?, I have the tube to siphon and tube clip to transfer from 5 gallon fermentation bucket to the bottles seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29278 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:55:51 +0000 seamus48 29278@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling/bottling-aids.html">Bottling Equipment</a> can be found here. I use an Emily bottle capper... it's quite robust and has done over a 1000 bottles so far with no probs (you will need to buy the caps seperately). I use a 'little bottler' which I have connected to a length of poly pipe rather than using a tap on an FV. That way I just sit the crate on the floor under under the FV and take the bottler attachment to each bottle in turn rather than having to lift each bottle to the tap etc. Simples <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> Oh... and can't think of any difference in the bottles you mention other than the obvious size and capacity? I use free magniers 568ml bottles for all my brews. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29273 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:38:15 +0000 CarlW21 29273@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ok I am going to bottle... Last question .. what is the difference between a short amber glass bottle and long amber glass bottle (500ml) without stating the obvious one is short and one is tall lol... the tall bottles work out £1.29 cheaper based on an order of 50. Also I would need a bottle capper ... and I heard this bottling stick is handy and saves mess ? seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29268 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:36:40 +0000 seamus48 29268@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Lager typically has more fizz than an ale or beer so I would use glass bottles myself. I prime 40 pints of lager with 120g of sugar (or so my son reminds me... it's been a while since we last brewed a lager) and that was perfect for us. No explosions, nicely carbonated, job done. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29267 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:06:05 +0000 CarlW21 29267@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ What would be the best for Young's Lager ? seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29238 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:19:38 +0000 seamus48 29238@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Agreed Brothers, or SWMBOs, ... sorry :oops:. I don't see this as a contentious issue whatsoever so don't panic KCL.. People should do, use, whatever works for them! It's their beer! <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> grmski on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29225 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:12:13 +0000 grmski 29225@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ For ales and stouts I use a selection of 500ml PET and 2 litre PET bottles. The 500ml are obviously single pints and the 2 litre give 4 pints. Carefully decant the 4 pints into a serving jug and if having a session with a few friends there isn't time for it to go flat or warm. Sometimes I bulk prime and others with the 1/2 teaspoon of sugar straight into the bottle. Numerous ways of acheiving the same thing here and it's justs what's best for you at the time that makes it the best storage method. saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29224 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:04:16 +0000 saracen 29224@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Sounds right to me, KC. Draught beers don't have a great deal of fizz to them. Plastic bottles should be fine for that. kilconlea on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29222 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:53:05 +0000 kilconlea 29222@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ This won't be popular..... When both my barrels and my 100 or so glass bottles are occupied, I use 1 litre PETs if I've brewed an ale under 4% ABV (usually the Summer Ale). I prime with a half spoon of sugar, straight into the bottle and siphon the beer on top using a little bottler. After a month's conditioning, you get two 'pints' per bottle and poured carefully, you get a product exactly the same as from the pub's handpump, i.e. a lively sparkle but no fizz. In all honesty, I would say for anything other than very strong beers or beers requiring a bit more fizz, this is my personal preference. Lights blue touch paper and walks away.. iceman on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29208 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:54:27 +0000 iceman 29208@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I get mine from the bottle bank because I am a tight Yorkshire man <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_redface.gif" title=":oops:" class="bb_smilies" /> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29180 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:41:47 +0000 saracen 29180@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I would say that's an amazing deal. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29176 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:34:04 +0000 CarlW21 29176@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ No North East, Hartlepool. Is this a good price - £18.95 for 50 amber 500ml glass bottles with caps. <a href="http://www.ampulla.co.uk/Shop-For-Glass/GLASS-BEER-&-CIDER-BOTTLES/c-1-169-204/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ampulla.co.uk/Shop-For-Glass/GLASS-BEER-&-CIDER-BOTTLES/c-1-169-204/</a> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29173 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:27:45 +0000 saracen 29173@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ They might ask you to buy a beer as well. Would this be in the Paddington area? CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29169 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:18:33 +0000 CarlW21 29169@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ saracen ! Genius, pub right over road from me ! Why didn't I think of this ! seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29162 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:56:54 +0000 seamus48 29162@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I draw some beer from the vessel into a saucepan and add the required sugar, cover, then simmer for 5-10 mins. When it's cooled a bit I add it to a sanitised FV then rack the brew across from the primary FV into it leaving the trub behind. Bottle directly from that. Sometimes, if the beer has been a while clearing in the Primary, I may rack it across to a second santised FV after 14 days, being careful not to add O2, then leave for another week before racking into a final FV with the sugar solution etc as above. Works for me. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29161 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:55:02 +0000 saracen 29161@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Carl. I think the cap you're talking about is the Pin Valve, or S30 Valve cap. This has a valve in it that allows you to inject Co2, or a Nitrogen Co2 mix. It's only the same cap with a valve fitted. It's all on this page: <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/containers/barrelsbarrels.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/containers/barrelsbarrels.html</a> The Pin Valve uses 8.0 gms Sparklets type bulb and the S30 injects from a bigger, hand help cylinder. I have Pin Valve caps on all my barrels, but with the alternative tap fitted, and the cap sealed properly, I think I've only used 3 x 8 gm bulbs in the last 12 months. I brew Bitters and Pale, ideal for a barrel because they don't have as much gas in them. Best source of bottles is your local pub. In return for a couple or quid in the charity box they're likely to give you more than you can carry. Sqiffy on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29157 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:43:06 +0000 Sqiffy 29157@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ We sterilise and then prime each bottle rather than batch priming as Saracen does. Here is how we do it. We move the brew bucket onto a work surface the night before we prime. This gives the sediment a chance to settle if the move disturbed it. Sterilise the bottles. Sterilise a racking cane, trap, tube and bottling stick. Take a small glass kitchen jug with fluid Oz scale on it. Add 8 level Tablespoons of spraymalt. Fill jug with cold water to the 8 Fl oz mark. Whisk with a fork until smooth. Take a 5ml syringe (no needle - multi pack dirt cheap from ebay) and fill from jug to the 5ml mark. Inject into bottle. Repeat for each bottle to completion. A second way we occasionally do it is to add half a (level) teaspoon of brewing sugar to each bottle via a small funnel. Once the bottles are primed get syphoning. Once filled and capped we give the beer a week in the house and then move it out to the garage to condition for three months. So far we have had no problems with infection or beer spoilage using this technique. Lots of bottle options on the shop site or you could just try and pick up recycle types (friends & pubs). I can't comment on the barrel issue as we don't use them. Hope this helps. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29155 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:56 +0000 CarlW21 29155@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I have heard about people using the Young's 5 gallon plastic pressure barrels but replacing the cap with some other sort.....anyone know anything about this ? seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29154 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:47 +0000 seamus48 29154@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Never seen the stick thingy... <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_redface.gif" title=":oops:" class="bb_smilies" /> Have had no probs with our bottler though. <blockquote>Ok, so I will need 50 500ml bottles, anyone know where I can get them cheap ? </blockquote> This comes up very regularly, in fact, only a few days ago I think. Use the search function on here and it'll take you to the threads mate. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" /> Mark on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29153 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:36:44 +0000 Mark 29153@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Seamus i did use a little bottler but after a couple of batches bottled it then started dripping so now i have a bottling stick attached to the autosyphon which works great but obviously a bit more fiddly doing this rather than using the little bottler. seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29151 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:33:35 +0000 seamus48 29151@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>I tried to bottle without it the first time I did a kit. My God, what a mess! </blockquote> Yeah, I remember doing that ... never again <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_redface.gif" title=":oops:" class="bb_smilies" /> We use a 'little bottler' which I assume is the same as the bottling stick thingy. Works well enough, can bottle single handed with no stress now. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29147 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000 CarlW21 29147@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ok, so I will need 50 500ml bottles, anyone know where I can get them cheap ? Or should I risk getting a replacement pressure barrel ? I don't get this with the Young's Barrel's, if they are meant to withstand pressure why do so many people have a problem with leaks around seals due to pressure ? saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29144 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:56:16 +0000 saracen 29144@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Glass bottles can contain much more fizz than plastic. For Lager, I'd say glass every time. Once again, here's one I prepared earlier: Bottling. The best way of doing it is this; Leave the beer in the FV for 2 weeks. By that time fermentation will be complete and the beer will be almost clear. Put your sugar into a saucepan, up to 125 gms for bottling 40 pints, about 3 gms per pint, and add half a pint of water. Boil it up for 5 minutes. Put the solution into a 2.0 lt jug, cool it to the same temperature as the beer and syphon some beer into the jug until it's full. Pour it into your barrel. Syphon the rest of the beer into the barrel, cap it, roll it round the floor for a minute or so and immediately put the beer into bottles. This way, the sugar is all evenly distributed, there's less handling so less chance of contamination, no stirring so a minimal risk of introducing oxygen and you will get far less sediment in the bottles. Store it at about 20°c for 2 weeks, then 2 weeks at a lower temperature. Hope it helps. Sqiffy on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29134 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:47:21 +0000 Sqiffy 29134@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I'm with Seamus on this one. Glass. No contest. We use flip-tops because they can be sealed as soon as the bottle is full. We ferment in a bucket and then use a syphon fitted with a bottling stick. Pretty easy and no leaks. I tried to bottle without it the first time I did a kit. My God, what a mess! <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling-stick.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling-stick.html</a> seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29132 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:27:55 +0000 seamus48 29132@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Personally, I don't like PET (plastic) bottles. We used them with our first kit and they were fine, however, when we came to re-use them they always seemed to leak (gas not liquid) and beer always came out flat (ish). I use brown glass now and won't go back to plastic. Just my opinion mind. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" /> CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29128 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:10:18 +0000 CarlW21 29128@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Excellent thanks, so bottles are the way to go then. Are plastic ones ok ? and any tips on bottling ? Further info: Wilkinsons have got back in touch and offered a replacement/refund and also will compensate by sending me the 40 pints lost due to this faulty barrel. What do people make of these <a href="http://www.brewsmarter.co.uk/try-a-coopers-ox-bar-500ml-pet-bottle-per-bottle-978-p.asp">Ox-Bar bottles </a> Thanks Everyone saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29112 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:06:41 +0000 saracen 29112@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ The problem is, how do you dispense it? Beer needs to condition after it's brewed, and you do this by adding sugar and allowing it to ferment out for a week or so in a warm atmosphere. This produces Co2, which helps to preserve the beer, and pressure, which holds the fizz in the beer. If you put it in a demi-john with an airlock, you'll get no pressure and flat lager. If you cork the demi-john, it will be blown out and you still get no pressure. If you pour from a demi-john, air will mix with the beer left in it and it with oxidise and go bad. For lager, which really does need a hefty amount of fizz, the only real way is bottles, with 3 gms of sugar per pint. Barrels are OK, but you will never get anything like the fizz you get in a glass bottle. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29111 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:57:35 +0000 CarlW21 29111@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ What about a demijohn with some kind of cork ? I was thinking about 5 glass ones maybe at about £5-6 each would amount to almost the price of a barrel.... or with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation_lock">fermentation lock</a> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29107 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:13:26 +0000 saracen 29107@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Carl. That's a big leak. I've never seen it that bad. The tap needs to be screwed in REALLY tight. The black seal is quite hard and won't distort, and the thread will stand up to it. Twist the tap centre to line it up. The tap itself is a bit of a dodgy item and there is a better solution. See here: <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/youngs-barrel-taps-leaking" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/youngs-barrel-taps-leaking</a> The next problem will come with the cap leaking gas. I wrote this in response to all those who had the problem: To seal a cap. When you take the cap off a barrel, clean it in the following way. Prise the seal out of the recess inside the cap and drop it into some water from the kettle in something like a glass measuring jug. The hot water will make the seal go back to it's original shape and any groove left by the neck of the barrel will disappear. You may have to do this a couple of times. Then give the cap itself a good dose of boiling water to clean any traces of Vaseline from inside the cap. That is, of course, if you used Vaseline to help it seal in the first place. Cool the cap and the sealing ring in the fridge/freezer, then put the ring back in the recess. Apply a THIN film of Vaseline to the SURFACE OF THE SEAL ONLY. Excess Vaseline can make the seal slip out of the groove when tightening. Make sure the cap is cold, fit it and screw it down until the seal just touches the neck, then give it a maximum of a quarter of a turn. It needs to be on firmly, but not screwed down too tight or the seal can distort. Young's barrels have their drawbacks, but once you get used to them they are OK. Anything else tends to get expensive, and I gave up all that bottling pantomime 30 years ago. oldbrewer on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29106 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:11:16 +0000 oldbrewer 29106@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I put a beer for immediate consumption such as London Pride in a King Keg and the stronger beers in Pet bottles. This means that you always beer available as some are conditioning. Sqiffy on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29104 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:56:10 +0000 Sqiffy 29104@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ All our beer goes in flip top glass bottles. <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/swing-top-beer-bottles-500ml-12.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/swing-top-beer-bottles-500ml-12.html</a> They are a fag to clean and prime but they will last for ages in storage and we've only lost 2 pints to faulty seals and never had a bottle bomb. We don't have room for a corny set-up so bottles work for us. iceman on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29103 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:53:58 +0000 iceman 29103@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Have a look at my thread corny v king keg Might help you CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29102 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:43:54 +0000 CarlW21 29102@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I bought a Young's Home Brew Kit, "40 pints lager". When it came to moving it for the fermentation barrel provided I bought a Young's 5 gallon pressure barrel from Wilko's for about £20 or so. After the 1st night in the barrel at least 3 gallons had leaked out through the seal of the tap (not the tap itself)...... Questions - Any ideas to why this happened ? - After looking online after this it seems a few people have had problems with leaking barrel's so I don't want to get another...what is the best storage for home brew...(bottles, carboys, etc...) ? Many Thanks Lewis on "Leaking Barrel Tap" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/leaking-barrel-tap#post-14976 Sun, 08 May 2011 19:35:44 +0000 Lewis 14976@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Haha yer thank for the tips! Nath on "Leaking Barrel Tap" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/leaking-barrel-tap#post-14973 Sun, 08 May 2011 19:23:06 +0000 Nath 14973@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Good news dude <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_cool.gif" title="8)" class="bb_smilies" /> Lewis on "Leaking Barrel Tap" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/leaking-barrel-tap#post-14969 Sun, 08 May 2011 18:59:27 +0000 Lewis 14969@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Yer tried all positions possible, swapped the taps over and all ok again! The tap mechanism on the little bottler was made of much thinner plastic that was obviously giving under the pressure. Added a little more sugar and back into the warm and all is well. Nath on "Leaking Barrel Tap" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/leaking-barrel-tap#post-14885 Sat, 07 May 2011 08:00:48 +0000 Nath 14885@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Those taps are very finicky - just make sure its turned off properly before doing the above. When the tap is on the "off position" it needs to be at 90 degrees not pushed all the way back to the keg or it will leak. <img src="http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx39/nath812/offnotoff.jpg"> beerlover1983 on "Leaking Barrel Tap" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/leaking-barrel-tap#post-14875 Fri, 06 May 2011 19:26:29 +0000 beerlover1983 14875@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I had a leaking tap and had to do the same .I put the barrel on its back took tap off made sure the tap had some vaseline on thread and re screwed it in.It was at a few day of it being in barrell and i put some c02 aswell just to make sure. And the beer was fine and i didnt have a problem. Lewis on "Leaking Barrel Tap" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/leaking-barrel-tap#post-14874 Fri, 06 May 2011 18:35:49 +0000 Lewis 14874@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ok so on the same batch of Amarillo as discussed in a previous thread! (not much luck with this one!) The beer has now carbonated and pressurised inside the barrel, which is all good and well apart from the fact that I have left the "Little Bottler" tap assembly on and not the tap that came with the barrel. Result, I now have a big pan under the tap to catch all the drips as it cant take the pressure. I'm loosing about a pint a day so leaving it on isn't really an option. Could I maybe release the pressure, tilt the barrel on its side and change the taps over? And if so would I need to add a little more sugar to prime the barrel again, would this affect the taste massively? Cheers guys. Lewis. Tony on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-11088 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 07:47:02 +0000 Tony 11088@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Bottle every time. On the issue of how long a beer lasts... I have some which are a couple of years old and to be honest, the only reason they're still there is that I don't like them. I find new beer to be far superior - anything up to 4 or 5 months (not that many last that long!) saracen on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-11057 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:14:36 +0000 saracen 11057@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I brew mostly bitter, which suits a barrel, but I've only ever seen lager served very cold and with a high level of carbonation. Unless you want to set up something close to your own pro CO2 system and a commercial chiller, it simply isn't going to work in a barrel. It horses for courses. wildbrew on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-11053 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:02:52 +0000 wildbrew 11053@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I have three barrels on the go,if i used bottles i would need 120 and that's a lot of bottle washing <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> PMA on "Dan Dans Kit Tip#1- The Barrel!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel#post-10457 Fri, 31 Dec 2010 19:12:33 +0000 PMA 10457@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Wilkos tomorrow then! Hamish on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7548 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 16:10:23 +0000 Hamish 7548@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>The tight arse in me likes my bottles being bought full of beer I suppose </blockquote> Ditto. Its a no brainer as far as I'm concerned but you do have to like German beers, horses for courses. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> Gazz on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7546 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:46:21 +0000 Gazz 7546@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ The tight arse in me likes my bottles being bought full of beer I suppose Bitterntwisted on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7540 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:20:58 +0000 Bitterntwisted 7540@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I got my swing toppers from this very site, brand new, work out at £1.25 each. Given how many times you can re-use them, I thought that a fair investment. Buying Grolsch at the above rates gives you a 500ml beer (if you like German factory lager) at 60p a drink BUT not such good value if you don't like them!! In fact buying a case (12) equivalant of full bottles, you're paying £7.20 more for the beer just to get the bottles, which have then got to be cleaned and de-labelled before use. I don't think the maths adds up unless you really like Grolsch and would have bought it anyway..... Looking at the poll it is fair to say I think most folk do both methods, barrel and bottle as required wouldn't you? Gazz on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7539 Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:48:21 +0000 Gazz 7539@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ They certainly do, flip top bottles are precious. For about £1.95 each they come full of beer if you know where look.[quote] Im currently drinking bottles of Grolsh at £1.85 from Asda just to get a collection going, its actually not hat bad for a lager.....but it has to be ICE cold! sonsieboy on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7534 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:11:13 +0000 sonsieboy 7534@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Being quite new, sorry very new to this great hobby, I have tried a little experiment this evening as I was bottling my latest batch. I have bottled into a 500ml still mineral PET bottle and put 2 Coopers carbonation drops in it, twice the recommended dose. I'm looking for two results. Will the bottle hold, as I have an infinite supply, will it be fizzier and stronger than the rest of the batch or will it bust apart? It has been secured in a bomb proof enviroment with a breeze block on top. Any predictions? Hamish on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7531 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:55:45 +0000 Hamish 7531@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>they HAVE to give the bottles back!</blockquote> They certainly do, flip top bottles are precious. For about £1.95 each they come full of beer if you know where look. Edit: <a href="http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/acatalog/Beers_of_Europe__German_Beer_8.html">Ok, maybe £1.99</a> Bitterntwisted on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7520 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:55:10 +0000 Bitterntwisted 7520@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Bottling is fine in my experience and if you can develop patience, very good. I brewed a Woodfordes Admirals Reserve in August and on first sample it tasted weak and flavourless and I was a bit dissapointed. I bottled the entire brew. I had some this week, it has matured for 6-weeks in the bottle and WOW what a difference! Wonderful colour, lovely light crisp flavour and loads of carbonation/good head. I used some capped bottles and the best results have come from swing toppers. Easy storage and easy to keep a few in the house and the rest in the garage and also great for giving to friends and family although they HAVE to give the bottles back! <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> So although the process of washing and capping 40+ bottles is a bit of an undertaking, it can be done and probably is more flexible solution than a barrel. Personally, I use both methods, barrelling beers I am drinking at home and one I am maturing in the keg for Christmas when we have guests coming, and the other brews are being bottled for consumption much later and for giving away to friends and family. I would say though, that the swing toppers are a good investment. Expnesive like everything, but once you have enough for two whole batches, they just keep going round as you use them. Quicker to cap, no on-going expenses, look smart and boy do they 'pop' with a satisfying sound on opening! Nath on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7505 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:24:09 +0000 Nath 7505@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Risk???? What risk! 8 days before a sample is great, I struggle to last 2! Bottles are great for lagers though, hits the fizzyness just right. sonsieboy on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7502 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:55:32 +0000 sonsieboy 7502@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I was drinking some of my first bottled batch on saturday that had been in the bottle for only 8 days. No real lasting head, but the fizziness level was not to unpleseant, unplesant, unplaesent, unplaseant ......... acceptable. Dare I take the risk? Has anyone else chanced it? Nath on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7500 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:05:20 +0000 Nath 7500@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ You wont get the same fizzyness your used to, you will do if you use a corny keg as they can hold more pressure. sonsieboy on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7499 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:02:20 +0000 sonsieboy 7499@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I would like very much to barrel, but being a lager drinker it goes against advice on this forum, to do so. Please someone tell me that if you use a pressure barrel with a Co2 injector system it will be OK. I promise not to keep it in the barrel to long!! Nath on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7497 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:48:14 +0000 Nath 7497@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Yeah just add a few ltrs to the brewlength let beersmith adjust the hops n stuff and hey presto! I used the "speech marks" because I normally end up drinkin em! iBrew on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7494 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:48:32 +0000 iBrew 7494@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I like that Nath: <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_idea.gif" title=":idea:" class="bb_smilies" /> bottle a few on the side. Great idea! Nath on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7482 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:19:22 +0000 Nath 7482@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I like to keg my ales (partly due to the kegerator setup) but I always make sure I have 4 or so bottles to "sample" and to "give to friends" Gazz on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7481 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:46:58 +0000 Gazz 7481@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Im split down the middle. Like Simon I like to have a few choices to decide from, But after my last effort of bottling 30 Wheat beer's and no carbonation taking place after 5 weeks & 1 teaspoon of sugar they seem destined for the barrel for force carbonation! simonb_13 on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7480 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:41:45 +0000 simonb_13 7480@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I bottle because it's easier to keep my beer cold. I could put a barrel in the fridge but I'd only have one beer and I prefer a variety on the go. It's more of a pain to bottle but with some simple bits of kit it's not too bad. iBrew on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7478 Tue, 05 Oct 2010 08:24:22 +0000 iBrew 7478@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Yes, thanks Greg; the main thing preventing long term storage in the barrel (or bottle for that matter) is the drinking it! Of course, if it tastes fine, I guess it is fine. Greg on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7473 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:00:21 +0000 Greg 7473@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I don't think I've ever managed to keep beer for more than about 8 weeks and that is rare. It will be fine for much longer though. iBrew on "Barrel or Bottle" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/barrel-or-bottle#post-7470 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:49:34 +0000 iBrew 7470@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi I have returned to malt extract brewing after a long interlude. My first brew (ale) went into the barrel but I am debating whether to bottle the next on the premise that it might store for longer in the bottle. I have always thought that a barrel needed to be drunk fairly quickly - well that is my excuse! Then I found this forum and website and read in the 'Barrel or Bottle?' section of 'Info' that "Beer will keep in the barrel for up to a year but ensure that the barrel is kept away from direct sunlight". Is this so? How long has anyone managed to keep ale in the barrel (aside from the obvious temptation) and if one manages to keep a blanket of CO2 on the beer could a partially drunk barrel keep this long? Any thoughts, anyone? <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_biggrin.gif" title=":D" class="bb_smilies" /> Thanks. Nath on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-1388 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:49:10 +0000 Nath 1388@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Good ol' les dawson. I always thought he would be the ideal boyfriend for my nan that lived in town! Tony on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-1387 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:34:52 +0000 Tony 1387@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ahh .. reminds me of an old Les Dawson joke... 'Think I'll go home and take off the wife's tights.. [long pause]... they're making my legs itch!' Boom Boom! Greg on "Dan Dans Kit Tip#1- The Barrel!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel#post-1381 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:16:20 +0000 Greg 1381@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Thanks Dan. I thought it would be good to have all the tips in one place. dandan on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-1379 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:04:04 +0000 dandan 1379@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Nice one Greg, I've moved this and another post on tips to the Tips section so they are easy to find for others. dandan on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-1380 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:04:04 +0000 dandan 1380@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Nice one Greg, I've moved this and another post on tips to the Tips section so they are easy to find for others. dandan on "Dan Dans Kit Tip#1- The Barrel!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel#post-1378 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:03:47 +0000 dandan 1378@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Nice one Greg, I've moved this and another post on tips to the Tips section so they are easy to find for others. steve on "Dripping Tap!!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dripping-tap#post-1145 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:14:39 +0000 steve 1145@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Brilliant, thanks fellas. Drip fixed! Nath on "Dripping Tap!!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dripping-tap#post-1121 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:30:48 +0000 Nath 1121@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I too made that mistake! Like dan said, quarter past does the trick! dandan on "Dripping Tap!!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dripping-tap#post-1119 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:03:06 +0000 dandan 1119@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi steve! I had the same problem, when I got my first barrel, but found the drip stopped when my tap was at the 'quarter past' type position! steve on "Dripping Tap!!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dripping-tap#post-1118 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:56:28 +0000 steve 1118@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi, I started brewing the Woodfordes Wherry starter kit 17 or 18 days ago and it's just about ready to drink. I had a sneaky taste at the weekend and was pleasantly surpised but the tap has been slowly dripping ever since. Have I done something wrong or might I have a dodgy tap? (It's dripping from the end of the tap, not at the washer) Cheers. dandan on "My Beer is too frothy!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/my-beer-is-too-frothy#post-1109 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:48:04 +0000 dandan 1109@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Oh yes, I had the same problem! for 57p and a trip to wilkos your problems can be solved! I posted a tip last month how to do this! Quite simple really, but took me ages to find the correct fitting baster! <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel</a> Hope that helps! DanDan new2brew on "My Beer is too frothy!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/my-beer-is-too-frothy#post-1108 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:15:23 +0000 new2brew 1108@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hey Guys! just had my Admiral's Reserve conditioning for 4 weeks and wow - i thought the Wherry kit was good, but this tastes even better... However, no matter how gently i let the beer pour from the barrel (bottom tap basic brewing barrel that comes with the Wherry kit) i cant stop half my glass filling with froth and then waiting 10 mins for it to settle enough to drink... any tips??? cheers new2brew Nath on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-611 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:38:20 +0000 Nath 611@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Yes! Finally an excuse to go into porn shops! dandan on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-578 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:42:21 +0000 dandan 578@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I can see it now! DanDan: One pair of Tights Please! Cashier: What Size do you require sir? DanDan: Any size! Cashier: Are they for you sir? DanDan: NO! there for my Beer Barrel! new2brew on "*TIP* - for barrel users..." http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/tip-for-barrel-users#post-572 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:46:35 +0000 new2brew 572@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hey Guys, A TIP for people who store their beer in barrels rather than bottles.. If you want to try some of ya brew but its cloudy and has bits of yeast floating in it, cover the tap with a pair of tights when pullin a pint... the ale will still be slightly cloudy, but all the bits n bobs floating in the barrel will get trapped in the tights mneaning the pint should be perfectly drinkable... Cheers New2brew dandan on "Dan Dans Kit Tip#1- The Barrel!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel#post-568 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:57:18 +0000 dandan 568@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I've got one budget barrel, When I dispense a pint it fills my glass with nearly half head and half beer. So i thought how can I make a pub style tap out of my barrel tap, Whilst using a baster to take a sample to take a gravity reading, I had a brain wave! The baster was the same shape has a pub beer dispenser so I held it on my tap and poured a better pint! but it wasn't secure, so I have searched high and low for a baster that fits the tap and Wilkos 50p!!! baster fits perfectly on the budget tap without any fitings needed! Looking on the wilkos website the basters are now 57p!! must of put the price up ready for christmas! The only tip I would give using the baster is dont open the tap full open, take your time to pour the pint! <img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m280/dandan1986/DSC_1424.jpg" /> Pint without baster <img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m280/dandan1986/DSC_1425.jpg" /> Pint with baster <img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m280/dandan1986/DSC_1423.jpg" /> 50p well spent <img src="http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m280/dandan1986/DSC_1426.jpg" /> On the barrel! <a href="http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Utensils/Baster-Acrylic/invt/0036854?htxt=dmMFbjDCqMS07nmR%2FNbpvveQPfJqce0rqp0x5IamXzRDwZ4PC%2FRAE6GTzhmClZmpKRjlk6pxQ1lKmQ%2FkPMS5CQ%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/Utensils/Baster-Acrylic/invt/0036854?htxt=dmMFbjDCqMS07nmR%2FNbpvveQPfJqce0rqp0x5IamXzRDwZ4PC%2FRAE6GTzhmClZmpKRjlk6pxQ1lKmQ%2FkPMS5CQ%3D%3D</a>