Home brewing thread anyone?

[EbS-P]

I guess it would go stale. The only real difference to my bottling at this stage is that my bottles get pressurized (by fermentation) after I bottle. They sit around for weeks until I put some in the fridge to start drinking that batch.

You can just prime it and seal it. It might foam a bit when you want to tap it. (I don’t know what tapping mechanism they use).

I’d be ok with treating as I do regular
Bottles.

 

[Whitenuckler]

You can just prime it and seal it. It might foam a bit when you want to tap it. (I don’t know what tapping mechanism they use).

I’d be ok with treating as I do regular
Bottles.

Actually that's what I was thinking. If I prime as usual, leaving a good air space, it would be like bottling. There appears to be a filter on the end of the pickup tube so any fines would get trapped. I would have it nice and cold before putting the tapping head on so there would be no foaming (I don't get any now and I have 750mil PET bottles). In fact these PET bottles come in 4 l size too. I wonder if I could just bottle in 4l and then open one up and drink it that day. I bottle 23l, so 6 of those 4l ones and maybe no CO2 system at all. That would not cost much to try.....$6.79 on sale right now - shoot sold out! They have sales all the time. Plus I have local stores I can check

4L PET Keg

This great value re-usable PET plastic keg is the best way to store your home brew in a smaller sized container than traditional 19L corny kegs. The small 4L size is convenient, light weight and perfect for sharing beverages with friends. Use as a 'growler' or use one of the following dispensing...

brewhq.ca

Edit - one drawback would be that I normally do a full pour all at once due to sediment. I don't think its a deal breaker, as that is just dead yeast and other nutrients, plus it tends to get a little sticky and is not that free to move around.

 

[EbS-P]

There appears to be a filter on the end of the pickup tube so any fines would get trapped.

When kegging you never drink the last couple glasses. In fact I have considered shortening my pickups.

I’d rather have no screen than a clogged screen.

 

[djlew]

2 gallon brew has been transferred to secondary but I haven't added flavor yet. I think we hit just above 4% ABV, not mad at it. Samples tasted really good and crystal clear. I had some free time and almost-used up ingredients so I did a quick gallon wheat brew with my remaining amarillo and citra hops. Fermentation took off right away, but again my boil off calculations are rough and I went too big this time so OG was quite low. It might be in the 3-4% range ABV when done, which again I am not mad at but practicing for predictability and consistency moving forward. I'm thinking of saving a gallon to try an apple ale with fresh juiced apples from my parent's tree. Once the base recipe is confirmed better than even the peach I think that might be my 5 gallon recipe base moving forward. We'll see!

 

[EbS-P]

2 gallon brew has been transferred to secondary but I haven't added flavor yet. I think we hit just above 4% ABV, not mad at it. Samples tasted really good and crystal clear. I had some free time and almost-used up ingredients so I did a quick gallon wheat brew with my remaining amarillo and citra hops. Fermentation took off right away, but again my boil off calculations are rough and I went too big this time so OG was quite low. It might be in the 3-4% range ABV when done, which again I am not mad at but practicing for predictability and consistency moving forward. I'm thinking of saving a gallon to try an apple ale with fresh juiced apples from my parent's tree. Once the base recipe is confirmed better than even the peach I think that might be my 5 gallon recipe base moving forward. We'll see!

Boil off is hard to judge. I just top it off with tap water in the fermenter. Never had an issue.

 

[djlew]

Boil off is hard to judge. I just top it off with tap water in the fermenter. Never had an issue.

Did that with the 2 gallon and it threw off my OG a bit but that was more of an efficiency issue I think. I went way over for the gallon which I guess could also be considered an efficiency issue but in the other direction, ideally I'd go under and top off, I agree with you there. I've done it in the past and been right on the money.

 

[EbS-P]

Did that with the 2 gallon and it threw off my OG a bit but that was more of an efficiency issue I think. I went way over for the gallon which I guess could also be considered an efficiency issue but in the other direction, ideally I'd go under and top off, I agree with you there. I've done it in the past and been right on the money.

I always just boil the final volume or 1/2 for my NA batches.

 

[djlew]

Little update, and I will edit with a pic or post one, got the cranberries out of the wheat ale and wow... deep red color, maybe even too much flavor, we'll see once carbed and cold. I took a sample and it was really good! We hit about 4% ABV, not mad. Planning on bottling this weekend and also brewing a basic wheat ale to use up my grain and practice a bit more to get better efficiency.

 

[djlew]

Sort of hard to get the full color in a photo but the cranberry wheat does look pretty good in this pic. Got the apple ale in the mini keg carbing and bottled the cranberry wheat with carb drops. Didn't get to my basic wheat brew yet since I spent the time I had this weekend bottling. Maybe next weekend! I'll post an update when they are carbed and ready and get some (hopefully) good looking beer photos!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Actually that's what I was thinking. If I prime as usual, leaving a good air space, it would be like bottling. There appears to be a filter on the end of the pickup tube so any fines would get trapped. I would have it nice and cold before putting the tapping head on so there would be no foaming (I don't get any now and I have 750mil PET bottles). In fact these PET bottles come in 4 l size too. I wonder if I could just bottle in 4l and then open one up and drink it that day. I bottle 23l, so 6 of those 4l ones and maybe no CO2 system at all. That would not cost much to try.....$6.79 on sale right now - shoot sold out! They have sales all the time. Plus I have local stores I can check

4L PET Keg

This great value re-usable PET plastic keg is the best way to store your home brew in a smaller sized container than traditional 19L corny kegs. The small 4L size is convenient, light weight and perfect for sharing beverages with friends. Use as a 'growler' or use one of the following dispensing...

brewhq.ca

Edit - one drawback would be that I normally do a full pour all at once due to sediment. I don't think its a deal breaker, as that is just dead yeast and other nutrients, plus it tends to get a little sticky and is not that free to move around.

My mini Kegs have arrived ! I am excited to try them. Not sure yet if I will need a CO2 system. There is also an air pump they sell. These people at Kegland are great, and my people in Dartmouth NS are the distributors.

 

[Whitenuckler]

My mini Kegs have arrived ! I am excited to try them. Not sure yet if I will need a CO2 system. There is also an air pump they sell. These people at Kegland are great, and my people in Dartmouth NS are the distributors.

First batch "Kegged" - nice to be able to say that instead of "bottled" 23l or 6 usg of Coopers IPA.
I used 150g of corn sugar in just boiled water mixed into a bottling bucket. Only had to lift it from the floor up about 30 inches to where the fermenter bucket was. Topped up some other bottles with a jug and funnel. It's all in my heated tent set to 25C. Ready in two days to go to storage. I may have to order some more as my store has a really good price compared to others. Will look into a mini co2 system. If I could refill those 16g co2 cartridges that would all fit in my small fridge(s). I can fit 2 of these in each mini fridge. Could probably fit a soda stream system if I could get cheap refills.

 

[kborndale]

A 2.5# CO2 tank is about the size of a 2 liter soda bottle. Could probably fit that in a mini fridge.

 

[Whitenuckler]

A 2.5# CO2 tank is about the size of a 2 liter soda bottle. Could probably fit that in a mini fridge.

I'm heading over to a wine brew store. He has Co2. I'll ask what he can refill. I've heard about repacking soda stream with dry ice but that sounds a bit wierd. I know you can refill certain 16G cartridges if they have valve and you have the adapter. Probably soda stream too.
Ya if I could get a small tank that would be good. One fridge is a bigger style mini fridge so no problem.

 

[Whitenuckler]

A 2.5# CO2 tank is about the size of a 2 liter soda bottle. Could probably fit that in a mini fridge.

5 lb Co2 Tank Dimensions

This article covers the dimensions, weight, capacity, pressure, fittings, and material of 5lb CO2 tanks, an essential component of draft beer systems.

www.cryofx.com

Good site to learn about CO2. I was at my store, and he said I could use the 16g no problem. He said they'd last awhile as my beer was already carbonated, and it was just to dispense. He does not fill CO2. He says it's a special shop that does it re industrial gas suppliers and you leave your tank to get refilled in a couple of days. I read you need to recertify them in 5 years. Paint Ball guns have another flavor of refillable tank besides soda stream. A new Alum 5 lb tank could be $150 CAD.

 

[djlew]

From my understanding cost of entry for bigger tanks seems intimidating but long term you will save a ton of especially aggravation having to refill often. I looked into soda stream adapters, which exist, but at a 15 USD bottle exchange and using it to fully carbonate and not just dispense the bigger tanks make more sense. I'm in a lucky spot having multiple fridges of various sizes (I see some in second hand shops and say why not?). My 1 gallon keg without the tap and regulator can fit in my 1.7 cu ft mini fridge but probably not a 5 pound tank without some mods. I've seen some videos make it work with those conversion kits.

 

[Whitenuckler]

From my understanding cost of entry for bigger tanks seems intimidating but long term you will save a ton of especially aggravation having to refill often. I looked into soda stream adapters, which exist, but at a 15 USD bottle exchange and using it to fully carbonate and not just dispense the bigger tanks make more sense. I'm in a lucky spot having multiple fridges of various sizes (I see some in second hand shops and say why not?). My 1 gallon keg without the tap and regulator can fit in my 1.7 cu ft mini fridge but probably not a 5 pound tank without some mods. I've seen some videos make it work with those conversion kits.

I'm starting out slow on this. Somewhere in the past I decided on 750ml glass flip tops and I like them. To fill them, and work comfortably standing up, I needed to hoist a 23l 6 gal pail up a long way in 3 lifts. That is a bit of a PITA. I can see filling 6 of these 4 l PET mini kegs very easily. I will continue to add my dextrose and bottle condition for now, and get one of those party dispense heads from Kegland for sure. It just has as air pump. My store sold out of the 4l PETS already. Now another container will have to come from China.

 

[kborndale]

5 lb Co2 Tank Dimensions

This article covers the dimensions, weight, capacity, pressure, fittings, and material of 5lb CO2 tanks, an essential component of draft beer systems.

www.cryofx.com

Good site to learn about CO2. I was at my store, and he said I could use the 16g no problem. He said they'd last awhile as my beer was already carbonated, and it was just to dispense. He does not fill CO2. He says it's a special shop that does it re industrial gas suppliers and you leave your tank to get refilled in a couple of days. I read you need to recertify them in 5 years. Paint Ball guns have another flavor of refillable tank besides soda stream. A new Alum 5 lb tank could be $150 CAD.

Do you have a fire extinguisher place by you? That's where I get my tanks filled. They do it while I wait, only takes a few minutes.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Do you have a fire extinguisher place by you? That's where I get my tanks filled. They do it while I wait, only takes a few minutes.

Thanks...they had mentioned fire extinguisher tank in the write up...but I never thought they would refill with pure CO2...I thought they would want to recharge with a bunch of foam mixed in...but you are right...there are different types and some might be pure CO2?

 

[djlew]

I'm starting out slow on this. Somewhere in the past I decided on 750ml glass flip tops and I like them. To fill them, and work comfortably standing up, I needed to hoist a 23l 6 gal pail up a long way in 3 lifts. That is a bit of a PITA. I can see filling 6 of these 4 l PET mini kegs very easily. I will continue to add my dextrose and bottle condition for now, and get one of those party dispense heads from Kegland for sure. It just has as air pump. My store sold out of the 4l PETS already. Now another container will have to come from China.

To your point, I am also going to continue bottle conditioning until I can afford the whole shebang as they say.

 

[djlew]

Cranberry Wheat isn't my favorite... a few friends enjoyed it but definitely not for me. I think for the holidays I am going to attempt a Chocolate Mint Cream Ale, maybe split and leave some plain. It's a really simple recipe, 80/20 2 row/flaked corn respectively and Cluster hops.

I'm wondering if my water profile plays a part in why I don't care for some of my brews. I use RO water but never found a good salt regiment. Anybody else use RO or just go for tap/purchased water? A lot of people really dial in their profile, not sure if I want to get too crazy but wondering if anybody else notices a difference when playing with salts.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Cranberry Wheat isn't my favorite... a few friends enjoyed it but definitely not for me. I think for the holidays I am going to attempt a Chocolate Mint Cream Ale, maybe split and leave some plain. It's a really simple recipe, 80/20 2 row/flaked corn respectively and Cluster hops.

I'm wondering if my water profile plays a part in why I don't care for some of my brews. I use RO water but never found a good salt regiment. Anybody else use RO or just go for tap/purchased water? A lot of people really dial in their profile, not sure if I want to get too crazy but wondering if anybody else notices a difference when playing with salts.

If you use RO water, then the recipe should call for the salts and minerals which you add before mashing. I have some basic ones although I was using tap water. Some people get their water tested to see the profile. Using RO water is best because it should be nothing. There would be a huge difference in taste I think.

 

[djlew]

If you use RO water, then the recipe should call for the salts and minerals which you add before mashing. I have some basic ones although I was using tap water. Some people get their water tested to see the profile. Using RO water is best because it should be nothing. There would be a huge difference in taste I think.

I usually just add calcium chloride but I know a lot of people add gypsum as well. One to apparently bring out more maltiness and the other for more hoppiness. I have a pretty neutral PH. I've used my well tap water for brews in the past and they were pretty good. I'm probably overthinking it, but I am doing a 5 gallon of this cream ale if I decide to do it at all so I want to make sure it has the best chance!

 

[EbS-P]

If you use RO water, then the recipe should call for the salts and minerals which you add before mashing. I have some basic ones although I was using tap water. Some people get their water tested to see the profile. Using RO water is best because it should be nothing. There would be a huge difference in taste I think.

My RO unit has a re-mineralizer. It reads higher ppm than out of the tap. Some times I do add something like brewers salts. I forget what it’s called.

 

[djlew]

That's pretty cool, I might throw in some gypsum and see if it makes a difference. That seems to be what most people do besides getting very accurate ppm readings which I don't really care to do. Less science, more beer! (I know, I know... beer is science)

 

[Whitenuckler]

That's pretty cool, I might throw in some gypsum and see if it makes a difference. That seems to be what most people do besides getting very accurate ppm readings which I don't really care to do. Less science, more beer! (I know, I know... beer is science)

Brewing Water Chemistry Calculator - Brewer's Friend

Water chemistry calculator for beer brewers targeting certain mineral levels. Calculates balance of flavor ions and checks for harmful levels.

www.brewersfriend.com