Brew UK Forum | Beer Kits
Keg pressure
Hi all,
I have my first brew, a Wherry, conditioning in a 5 gallon keg with a standard 2 inch cap. I've noticed that a couple of drops of beer have dripped from the tap, and apart from the obvious (is the tap fitted and closed properly?) questions, should I vent the keg at all to release some pressure? The beer is about 2 weeks old.
Keith
Planning: Best of British Ale, Another Tweaked Wherry
Fermenting: Woodforde's Nog
Conditioning: EDME Irish Stout, Highland Heavy Ale
Drinking: EDME Irish Stout, Highland Heavy Ale
Fermenting: Woodforde's Nog
Conditioning: EDME Irish Stout, Highland Heavy Ale
Drinking: EDME Irish Stout, Highland Heavy Ale
Responses
Posted 10 months ago by Moderator
Hi Keith,
Its a pressure problem by the sound of it, but sometimes the tap can leak if not closed properly so heres a list of what to look for/do! (The below is for a standard barrel not a king keg)
1 - Make sure the tap is closed properly - this means the tap should not be tight against the barrel but at a 90 degree position (3 o'clock).
2 - Look at where its leaking from - is it the tap or the tap thread - if its the tap thread then its most likley over pressure.
3 - Look at the little feet on the bottom of the barrel, if they are floating a few mm off the floor then the barrel is nice and pressureised. If the whole bottom is bulbous then its lots more pressurised than it needs!
So to release pressure you can do a few things. You can tweak the little white rubber band on the cap for a sec or you could pour yourself a nice beer which will also make the pressure drop. I know which one I would do! Also if you get the whole keg somewhere cooler the beer will absorb more of the co2 therefore lowering pressure.
Ta,
Nath
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 10 months ago by Member
Thanks Nath. Hmmm....I wonder which pressure-release measure you've suggested I should use? It's only two weeks old, though. Still, I can post a tasting update tomorrow now!
Cheers!
Keith
Fermenting: Woodforde's Nog
Conditioning: EDME Irish Stout, Highland Heavy Ale
Drinking: EDME Irish Stout, Highland Heavy Ale
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