Bottling from the keg

[joemarsh]

Hello all,

First time poster. Thought I'd try the knowledge of the forum users (I've lurked quite a bit, just never posted) for quite a specific question, which can be tricky to find on Google etc. Apologies if it has been asked before.

Essentially, I am looking for a way to move finished beer in my keg into large plastic bottles without it going flat. I want to take some home for Christmas but I don't really want the hassle of carrying the whole keg in the train, and I don't really have time or the inclination to buy beer bottles and brew directly into them.

I was thinking of solutions, and I was wondering if buying some carbonation drops and sticking them in the bottles would work, or is it likely that this would make the bottles explode?

Thanks in advance for any advice and help!

 

[dennisking]

Hi and welcome. after putting in the plastic bottles how long are you hoping to keep it before you drink.

 

[joemarsh]

Hi, thanks for the welcome.

I don't rightly know, is really the answer. In all likelihood it will get drunk within a day, but it would be nice to think that if it wasn't it might keep for a while, or rather that I could take a couple of bottles home, leave one for my step-dad and drink the other on Christmas day.

 

[PaulCa]

I filled 2 x 1 litre bottles for friends last night.

I would recommend dropping all the keg pressure completely and letting in a very small amount of CO2, just enough to get a very slow pour. The trouble I had was the head forming in the bottle. Once it gets up to the narrowing neck it goes all too quickly. I had to have 3 goes at filling them and letting them settle with the lid on, then repeat.

Hopefully the beer will not be too flat by the time my friends drink it, I will recommend they drink it this week end.

 

[Hawks]

It also helps if you extend the tap down to the bottom of the bottle ( turkey basters can be a good fit )

I get the beer as cold as I can, fill slowly with the tap extension on the bottom of the bottle. Fill as much as possible with a small amount of foam coming out the top, then cap on the foam.
This should keep a few days in good condition :thumb:

 

[zgoda]

Counter pressure bottle filler is the way to go. Either expensive Blichmann or self made. The schema should be somewhere in the internets.

 

[joemarsh]

Thanks for the tips. I think I might try that turkey baster trick and just pour very slowly and gradually. I have the keg in it's own fridge as well, so I will chill it right down before attempting.

:thumb:

 

[brynwills]

i seem to have a problem with slow pour from my keg, the last brew I did had no problems loads of head this one slow pour no pressure have forced co2 in ? any thoughts