Complete brewing in one Barrel?

[Hoss]

Hi all,
I had a 5 gallon pressure barrel and a 40 pints ale making kit for my birthday and was wondering if I can do complete process of brewing in the one barrel? A few people I work with home brew quite a lot and the one told me I could complete the entire process without needing to syphon it into any other container, because the sediment would settle below the tap at the bottom of the barrel; Can anyone tell me if this is true? I have already started the first fermentation in the barrel.

This is my first time home brewing so any advice would be much appreciated,
Cheers,
Hoss

 

[adrianmole72]

You'll struggle to take your FG reading from inside the barrel !

 

[pittsy]

does it have an airlock ? you need 1 or at least don't tighten top cap (put on loose) you do need to get yourself a fermentation bucket that comes with a lid cost around £12 plus and airlock around £1.50 for future brews really. The yeast in your brew will convert the sugar to alcohol and will make c02 gas that will protect your brew from air infecting your brew but will expand and brake your barrel if lid is too tight :)

 

[RobWalker]

It is possible but you will be dealing with a lot of trub and its not good to sit it on that much for a number of reasons - clarity, yeast cannibalising, disturbing easily etc. Youll also need a bodge job airlock as mentioned. Youre a lot better off getting a bucket, they really dont cost much and are a pretty integral part of the process.

 

[bobsbeer]

If you can't get a cheap bucket locally, have a look at this one. Great for a 25 lt fermenter and you can add a tap if needed, but only £4.99 free delivery.

 

[Mr BR]

If you can't get a cheap bucket locally, have a look at this one. Great for a 25 lt fermenter and you can add a tap if needed, but only £4.99 free delivery.

i have one of these and posted details in another thread can vouch for them exact same as youngs FV but different writing on the side really good strong bucket and all i did was mark the side in 1 litre increments with a sharpie pen , oh and you really are better off with an FV then put it in your barrel after fermentation :thumb:

 

[jonnymorris]

Not worth the risk for the sake of £12. It'll be difficult to clean too.

 

[Hoss]

Cheers all,
I'll get some bottles or demijohns ready for phase two and then get a bucket ready for the next batch... theres no rush as I can see it taking me quite a while to drink 40 pints haha

I think the barrel I have (from Tesco's) has a vent, it certainly has rubbery bit on top that says "lubricate seal before use".... I'm guessing that would work as a airlock?? I will up load a photo in the morning =] I will only be brewing ale and I have been told it won't produce too much pressure

I'm not down with the terminology sorry guys, you may have to explain the following to me:
Trub
Yeast Cannibalising
FG Reading

Thanks for all your advice =]

Cheers,
Hoss

 

[RobWalker]

Trub = crap left over at the bottom from fermentation
yeast cannibalising = if you leave the beer on the trub for too long after fermentation, they can start going mental and it makes your beer taste bad.
FG reading = reading with a hydrometer after fermentation has finished, usually around 1.010 for beer.

that's not a vent if it's a gold screw type thing, that's for the co2 bulbs. your keg will hold pressure, it's a way in, not a way out :)

 

[Moley]

that's not a vent if it's a gold screw type thing, that's for the co2 bulbs. your keg will hold pressure, it's a way in, not a way out :)

If the rubber ring is on the outside it's a pressure relief valve, which is probably more likely with a budget keg.

there's no rush as I can see it taking me quite a while to drink 40 pints haha

All the more reason to get it off the muck and sediment.

 

[Darcey]

No! Because while your drinking your beer you can be fermenting ANOTHER one in the FV bucket!! Ah ah! :thumb:

Constant beer!

 

[jonnymorris]

If the rubber ring is on the outside it's a pressure relief valve, which is probably more likely with a budget keg.

My King Keg has a rubber pressure relief valve and I wouldn't call it a budget keg.

No! Because while your drinking your beer you can be fermenting ANOTHER one in the FV bucket!! Ah ah!

Good point and probably the best reason to get a FV.

 

[Moley]

If the rubber ring is on the outside it's a pressure relief valve, which is probably more likely with a budget keg.

My King Keg has a rubber pressure relief valve and I wouldn't call it a budget keg.

That's not what I meant :nono:

If a budget keg has got any brass doofah screwed into the lid as standard, it's more likely to be a PRV than an S30, unless you've paid extra for the lid.

Any decent keg should probably have both.

 

[Mr BR]

if its a youngs pressure barrel and from tesco and the rubber is white and says lubricate before use then its a pressure valve as i have one aswell ok for using as a secondary FV you can buy the valve for a sparklet or a hambleton bard gas cartridge on e-bay and drill and fit it your self its a 2 minute job if you want to convert it piece of piss hope this is of some use :thumb:

 

[Hoss]

Hi all, thanks for your posts.

It is the one from tesco and says lubricate seal before use, I know what you mean about the Brass screw and its definitely not that one.

I have just transferred the bitter to ferment in glass demijohns, putting a 1/4 oz of sugar in each one (since the instructions said 2.5 oz for a barrel. It says on the label to leave it mature for 10 days but I have been told by my work colleagues that it'll be ready in about 3 weeks, is this roughly right?

The barrel was easy to clean out in the bath / shower, I just didn't give it any time to dry in there.... I will definitely be getting a FV bucket for my next brew though, although I am ***** at syphoning so use the yap on thr barrel made filling the demijohns easier.

Can anyone recommend some nice beers to brew?

Thanks again guys... I couldn't do constant beer, I don't drink in the week and will only have a few over the weekend =\

 

[RobWalker]

that's not a vent if it's a gold screw type thing, that's for the co2 bulbs. your keg will hold pressure, it's a way in, not a way out :)

If the rubber ring is on the outside it's a pressure relief valve, which is probably more likely with a budget keg.

Yup, but that won't make it suitable as a replacement for an airlock :

 

[oldstout]

If you can't get a cheap bucket locally, have a look at this one. Great for a 25 lt fermenter and you can add a tap if needed, but only £4.99 free delivery.

Excellent spot!!! :thumb:

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