Brew UK Forum | Beer Kits
Brewing with a Barrel
Hello everybody,
After great success with a coopers ginger beer (which is occupying most of my bottles)a kind friend has donated a Barrel for continued brewing and a healthy supply of brew.
However the barrels old and and didn't come with a cap, I've got a new cap that has a Co2 valve.
My question is, how do I know when the beer in the barrel is acheiving pressurein the three weeks after the brew leaves the fermenting bin? likewise how will I know when it's time to add a C02 cartridge. This might be a foolish question but I've got no clue at all.
Do I just pour a bit to make sure it's ok?
Planning - first AG brew
In the Barrel - Golden Ale (woodfords)
In the Fermenter - Elderflower wine
Drinking - Nothing home made
In the Barrel - Golden Ale (woodfords)
In the Fermenter - Elderflower wine
Drinking - Nothing home made
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
The barrel may bulge a bit (or a lot in my budget barrel's case) and when you open the tap the beer will litterally shoot out, so only open a wee bit.
You add cartridges of co2 when the co2 is gone and a tale tale sign of that is if the beer wont pour well. It slows down when you have little co2 in the barrel so add it then.
Make sure you dont get a dreaded "glug", that is when the rate of flow stops completely and the barrel takes a big glug of air which is not good for your beer.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Nath,
Thankyou for the response it's much appreciated. So it's important not to get any air in all! Is there a typical amount of CO2 to go into a barrel, or is it a case of how fast you drink it?
In the Barrel - Golden Ale (woodfords)
In the Fermenter - Elderflower wine
Drinking - Nothing home made
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
2 days after I prime the barrel I tweak the seal to get rid of any air thats left in the barrel as co2 is heavier than air the air will come out first.
And its how fast ya drink the stuff. If you are pulling a pint or so every other night it will be ok for longer than if you have a few mates round and go on a mission!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
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