advice please

[paulbrrtt]

Hi all I have made one or two its and Im getting into it but I have a dew questions that may sound stupid but they need answering lol. First off I have aquired those small gas bulbs from wilkos with the valve, so i was wondering how many bulbs would you use on a keg, ( i tried it out on a half barrel of bitter and though the head was very creamy it still tasted flat. Seondly I have also got some bottles as I would like to try and experiment as much as possible, with the bottles I understand I should prime with some sugar when I do that do i leave it for a week or two then put in the fridge? also when and how do i add the finnings cos it would be going from a vat and into bottles and barrels. I understand they may sound a bit stupid but they questions i need the answers to lol. cheers guys
Paul

 

[jackmorgan]

Now I'm no expert but maybe the barrel was flat because you did not prime it. By adding gas it would force the beer out but not provide enough pressure to carbonate the beer. The correct amount of sugar should be added to the barrel after you transfer from the primary fermentation vessel (FV). The secondary fermentation produces CO2that cannot escape and provides the carbonation of the beer and also enough pressure to pump the beer out. Eventually that pressure drops and you need the extra co2 to force the beer out.
As for bottles you must leave them in a warm environment for at least 5 days for secondary fermentation to occur, then you can condition. If they go straight into the fridge no fermentation = no gas
hope it helps

 

[paulbrrtt]

thx jack but i definately primed it, though maybe i didnt prime it enough. i have just started a lager kit and its fermenting at 22-23 degrees, im still unsure whether to bottle or keg it yet. i have a few days to think it over, theres pros and cons for both so just got to weigh it up