Dispensing from 2L PET bottles

[giraffe]

Hi, I have been storing some beer in 2L bottles as I only have limited amount of 500ml ones, and no keg as yet

The problem I have is successfully getting the beer out without having a extremely cloudy pint :hmm: especially when returning the bottle to upright, before topping up again when I fancy another pint.

I have read all sorts of approaches on the forums such as decanting to a jug. Turning upside down, letting the sediment fall to the lid then carefully open over the sink to expel the sediment. However, I am still looking for a better method.

What I think would work well is of you could apply some kind of tap to the bottle, leave on its side on the fridge so the sediment settles. Then you could pour most of it out using just gravity (Although I realise there will be a problem with pressure when the bottle is half empty, but would still like to try). Problem is, I can't find a tap to fit a 2L PET anywhere! I was thinking one of those "picnic" style taps that you get on large water vessels for camping.

Anyone any idea where I could find such a thing. Or even a tap to fit one of the 5L water bottles would be handy.

Thanks

 

[abi]

Hi, I have been storing some beer in 2L bottles as I only have limited amount of 500ml ones, and no keg as yet

The problem I have is successfully getting the beer out without having a extremely cloudy pint :hmm: especially when returning the bottle to upright, before topping up again when I fancy another pint.

I have read all sorts of approaches on the forums such as decanting to a jug. Turning upside down, letting the sediment fall to the lid then carefully open over the sink to expel the sediment. However, I am still looking for a better method.

What I think would work well is of you could apply some kind of tap to the bottle, leave on its side on the fridge so the sediment settles. Then you could pour most of it out using just gravity (Although I realise there will be a problem with pressure when the bottle is half empty, but would still like to try). Problem is, I can't find a tap to fit a 2L PET anywhere! I was thinking one of those "picnic" style taps that you get on large water vessels for camping.Do what i do everytime i go past the glass bottle banks by coop have a fish around for cider and beer bottles, got most of my bottles that way.

Anyone any idea where I could find such a thing. Or even a tap to fit one of the 5L water bottles would be handy.

Thanks

 

[Paulm1979]

I have also bottled in two litre plastic bottles and having just read your post i wondered why I havent tried syphoning it out yet. unless there's four of you drinking decanting to a jug is a pain as by the 3rd pint the bubbles are gone.

I might cut a tube-sized-hole in a screw cap then feed enough tube through so it sits 1/2" of the bottom to avoid sucking up the wee bit 'o' sediment down there.

:hmm:

 

[giraffe]

I did consider a syphon, not sure my guests would like it if I was sucking away at the tube before pouring them a pint :P

But for myself, it sounds like a good option. Could create a special lid that has a tube passing through it with some kind of seal around it. Then just swap the lids over when its drinking time :)

 

[graysalchemy]

Part of it depends on how much sediment you have in the beer to begin with and what yeast has been used. If you bottle when it is not quite crystal clear then you will get sh*t in the bottom. Also some yeasts are better at compacting than others. Also the more fizz yo put in the worse it is going to be. I manage to pour 500ml glass bottles a little at a time topping up as I drink, and by the end of the bottle the beer is still sparking and the yeast is well attached to the bottom.

Nottingham and SO4 are good compacting yeasts.

With regards to syphoning you will probably cause more problems as a drop in pressure will cause more co2 to come out disturbing more sediment.

 

[giraffe]

Ah, maybe I should have mentioned I was partially thinking of my recent batch which happens to be lager which I have primed the bottles with sugar. There is quite a bit of sediment, around 1cm in a 2L bottle.

 

[graysalchemy]

There lies your problem. Let it clear first. You could empty them all, let it clear again in the fv and then re bottle.

 

[giraffe]

If I do this will I lose all of the lovely fizz though?

I guess this is why people use a secondary fermenter? which I didn't

 

[RobWalker]

Simple answer is a glass/plastic pitcher. Once it's clear, pour all 2L into a pitcher, then pour out into smaller glasses as neccessary. Returning it to upright with beer left in is where you're going wrong!

2L bottles arn't ideal simply, and this is the best way around it imo. Other than that, keep collecting and use smaller bottles.

 

[graysalchemy]

If I do this will I lose all of the lovely fizz though?

I guess this is why people use a secondary fermenter? which I didn't

Yes you will but you will be able to re prime.

It is always best to let your beer settle for a week in a clean FV after fermentation. It should be as clear as you want to drink it before bottling.

 

[thejesmonddingo]

I know this might not be appropriate if you're really short of money,but Tesco do 24x500ml coopers PET bottles for £7.99,you'd save money in the long run,by not wasting beer.
Ian

 

[andyd]

I'm not sure how effective this might be but here's a thought:

Have three 500ml bottles clean and ready when you open your 2L bottle. Pour your drink and then also fill the three bottles all in one go, hopefully without disturbing the sediment. You can get plastic crown-type caps tops to temporarily seal the bottles until you need them later. Alternatively, a bit of cling-film might do the trick. You'll lose some of the fizz inevitably but I expect the beer would be ok if consumed within the same evening. Worth a try?

 

[giraffe]

That's a good price on Tesco, might need to get a few more of them. Although they look like they have a fatter neck than the current Coopers bottles I have, I like the narrower neck as it helps to catch some of the sediment.

I do save the 2L bottles for nights when I know I will be finishing the lot, so I guess loss is fizz won't really be a concern. I will experiment with some of the suggestions. Thanks

 

[artyb]

i store mine upside down and the sediment collects in the lid,
then i crack it open over a sink and the sediment is washed out...simples
crystal clear beer... :party:

 

[giraffe]

I hadn't actually tried this method yet. Storing them upside down from the start worries me as you might get leaks, and turning them upside down a day before serving might not work as by this point the sediment is mostly compacted to the bottom.

I did see these plastic "soda dispensers" as American's call them, which I thought could be ideal for removing the sediment.

http://iwanties.com/wp-content/[email protected]

 

[Mr BR]

i use 2 litre bottles tried the turning upside down thing works a bit but not 100 percent got enough glass 500 ml for 2 batches and just purchased the crown capper but if your really stuck for bottles tesco do 500ml tescos own sparkling water PET bottles 12 pack for 3 pound so you do the maths 4 packs 48 bottles 12pound or pay 7.99 for 24 coopers PET bottles :wha: hope this helps

 

[artyb]

i use 2 litre bottles tried the turning upside down thing works a bit but not 100 percent got enough glass 500 ml for 2 batches and just purchased the crown capper but if your really stuck for bottles tesco do 500ml tescos own sparkling water PET bottles 12 pack for 3 pound so you do the maths 4 packs 48 bottles 12pound or pay 7.99 for 24 coopers PET bottles :wha: hope this helps

i also use 500ml coke bottles and 1 litre water bottles with the sloping sides these work 100 % for trapping the sediment,... :party:
i do leave them for around 2 months though

 

[kentmark]

I did a couple of 2L pet bottles with my first batch then took them along to a lads weekend at a mates house. It was only the last pint out of each bottle that was a little cloudy, but still tasted ok. And after a few pints of assorted brews we took along, it was beer farts all the way anyway LOL.

 

[giraffe]

Sounds like you had a good time!

I have noticed that the sediment is becoming a lot more compact as time goes on which really helps.

 

[johnnyboy1965]

2li or 500ml bottles are all the same. The trick is to pour in one go, so you dont disturb the yeast sediment This only comes with practice. Dont try and pour yourself a glass full, look at the bottle , not the glass