Copper pipe beer line

[sg1009]

I'm building a beer-out fitting for my old pressure barrel and wanted to make use of some old copper pipe and solder connections I have in the shed.

Does anyone know if beer/wine is okay sat in copper pipe and with the solder fitting?

It's only a short section that soon goes off to a 3/8ths beer line. It just seems a shame to fork out (big £) for JG inline taps and non-return valves when I have some lying around.

 

[mabrungard]

Momentary contact with copper is OK for beer, but not long contact. If you are willing to waste that volume of beer in the pipe, I guess it could be OK.

 

[sg1009]

Thanks Martin. I also found a very interesting site that confirms this:

http://byo.com/issues/item/1144-metallurgy-for-homebrewers

'Copper is a problem post-fermentation because it catalyzes staling reactions, including the production of hydrogen peroxide and can oxidize the alcohols to aldehydes. Finished beer should not be stored in contact with copper, although serving beer with copper tubing in a jockey box should not be a problem, because of the short contact time immediately before serving.'

 

[sg1009]

So here's my experiment I've cobbled together to dispense ale from barrel to beer line. I didn't want to drill the barrel. It's difficult to get the CO2 in through the lid and include a PRV. It had to be cost effective and rid my garage of as many old bits as possible. Had to be cheaper than a Midget Widget + S30 lid + beer out bits.

So, I've altered the beer out to only use plastic pipe to avoid contact with copper.

The pipe nearest is CO2 in with a non-return tap and beer out with tap furthest pipe. So far it's only cost:
Washing machine tap with non-return valve £3.13
Washing machine tap £1.20
JG 15mm to 3/8ths £2,72
JG 3/8 - 1/2 BSP Tap Adaptor £2.17

£9.22 Total, though there are obviously a few other bits I've had lying around. 15mm Equal Tee, pipe, elbow, 1/2BSP to ?? *2, some 3/8ths pipe.

The barrel is 100% intact with standard cap. The tube is silicone glued (food grade) into the pipe to guide the CO2 bubbles to the top of the barrel so not to disturb the sediment.

Pressured up to 15psi last night and all was well.