Corny serving loads of foam

[Underground]

Strange one - there's an easy answer I guess but it's annoying cos I want a proper pint!

I've had a corny full of Brewmaker English Ale sat under 30 pounds of pressure for 3-4 weeks and so far it's been nicely conditioned, pouring well (from a 'party tap'?) i.e. a little thumb lever on a long thin tube. I did gas it up a tiny bit more to get it pouring a lil bit faster, but all stayed good. After the weekend, it's pouring with 'gushes' of foam up the tube and ending up with 2/3rds foam to 1/3rd beer at present. It's also not staying carbed very long after pouring.

I think it could have been under too much pressure, but also perhaps something to do with the weather (they are living outside in the shade as there's nowhere else for them to go) warming the beer up and bringing the gas out of solution?

Either way, I'm all ears for ideas, and a recovery plan :)

 

[brewtim]

Does it have a pressure relief valve? Serving pressure should be under 5psi should it not? Sounds like 3-4 weeks of forced carbonation at 30psi has turned it to foam, if you have a relief valve then try losing pressure bit by bit over a number of days and cool it as much as possible.

 

[keith1664]

The easy answer is to find yourself a cheap fridge and knock up a kegerator, then carb up your beers at 12 psi and 11 degrees c for a week, then if you have problems with foaming try a length of 3/16th tubing to balance the flow.

30 psi, warm beer and a party tap isn't going to give you a proper pint!

 

[Fil]

think its probably temperature related.

co2 is retained in colder liquids, and released from warmer ones.

so if your foaming either loose condition to the point its stable at your serving temp or reduce the serving temp to a level to sustain the level of condition.

check out conditioning charts on google, unfortunatly all seem to be done by US authors and show temps in F but thats not too big a prob

 

[orlando]

think its probably temperature related.

co2 is retained in colder liquids, and released from warmer ones.

so if your foaming either loose condition to the point its stable at your serving temp or reduce the serving temp to a level to sustain the level of condition.

check out conditioning charts on google, unfortunatly all seem to be done by US authors and show temps in F but thats not too big a prob

There are a number of calculators that do both try here for just one.

 

[Underground]

Thanks all. The calculator does indicate that a lower pressure is better at higher temps! Both cornies have gone the same way so I do think its a combo of excess pressure and higher temps.
What I have found, though, is that at a low pressure, the seal on the lid isn't fully sealed, so I need a bit (more than 5psi) to overcome this (to the best of my knowledge the lids and seals are 'good')

 

[IPA]

I think the answer is to invest in a tap with a variable compensator built in. With the 'party tap' you are using it is difficult to pour a perfect pint.

 

[orlando]

Thanks all. The calculator does indicate that a lower pressure is better at higher temps! Both cornies have gone the same way so I do think its a combo of excess pressure and higher temps.
What I have found, though, is that at a low pressure, the seal on the lid isn't fully sealed, so I need a bit (more than 5psi) to overcome this (to the best of my knowledge the lids and seals are 'good')

Do you use keg lube, as I have found using this the seal works at very low pressure?

 

[Underground]

Do you use keg lube, as I have found using this the seal works at very low pressure?

I haven't so far, I was planning to try some KY as recommended by craigtube. Maybe ill invest in a tube though. Temps have dropped outside, being summer! and its settled.
I've got a free fridge freezer lined up but nowhere indoors to keep it....

 

[Underground]

I think the answer is to invest in a tap with a variable compensator built in. With the 'party tap' you are using it is difficult to pour a perfect pint.

Google isn't being very helpful on that one! Any idea where to get one?

 

[keith1664]

I think the answer is to invest in a tap with a variable compensator built in. With the 'party tap' you are using it is difficult to pour a perfect pint.

Google isn't being very helpful on that one! Any idea where to get one?

Perhaps "beer flow controller" is a better search term.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INLINE-BEER-F ... 1c324a8239

 

[IPA]

I think the answer is to invest in a tap with a variable compensator built in. With the 'party tap' you are using it is difficult to pour a perfect pint.

Google isn't being very helpful on that one! Any idea where to get one?

Here is a link
http://toutpourlabiere.com/index.php?pa ... rie&cat=50

 

[Hawks]

You should find that once you get a seal on your lid it will hold. I have to use 20 psi to seal a few of mine, but then I disconnect the gas whilst it conditions and absorbs the CO2 - a couple of weeks later a sealed lid and around 5 psi :thumb: This will hold at my storage / serving pressure of 3 psi

KY Jelly will work for helping if needed, although I have never needed it I do plan to get some to help keep o-rings in better condition - and its MUCH cheaper then keg lube :thumb:

 

[orlando]

KY Jelly will work for helping if needed, although I have never needed it I do plan to get some to help keep o-rings in better condition - and its MUCH cheaper then keg lube :thumb:

And of course safe for er ahem, internal use :whistle: