Easy Keg 5L

[MickDundee]

Wow, having 3 MKs has shaved so much time off my bottling day. The beer itself tasted lovely but it's been a bit of a disaster. It should have been 5.6% but I only hit 1.041 SG and only got 70% attenuation so it's only 3.8%.

 

[MyQul]

Wow, having 3 MKs has shaved so much time off my bottling day. The beer itself tasted lovely but it's been a bit of a disaster. It should have been 5.6% but I only hit 1.041 SG and only got 70% attenuation so it's only 3.8%.

I 'bottled' today too, and used 3 MK like you and a few bottle for the extra. I no longer mind bottling day because its so quick now

 

[marlon]

Living near Dover, I've been popping over to Calais from time to time, to buy beertender minikegs. All continental beers of course, but pretty good value at £8 - £15 depending on the beer inside. Converting them for my brew took some trial n error. But I think I've now figured it out. Been using them for 6 months without any real problems. So, if anyone has them, don't sling them out they can be converted. They come with a top tap and can be adapted to take CO2 via a S30 valve. The internal gas charge unit can be removed by cutting a 42mm (roughly) hole in the top and then filling the hole with the top of a PET bottle glued in place. I use lucozade bottles because they have a wider neck. Easier to clean inside and the S30 valve can be fitted into the bottle top. Despite some reservations I use araldite rapid to glue the bottle top, but others are available of course. Not been poisoned.... yet.! I know most folks won't be using these, not visiting Calais much, but just thought l'd mention it....

 

[Dutto]

Living near Dover, I've been popping over to Calais from time to time, to buy beertender minikegs. All continental beers of course, but pretty good value at ��£8 - ��£15 depending on the beer inside. Converting them for my brew took some trial n error. But I think I've now figured it out. Been using them for 6 months without any real problems. So, if anyone has them, don't sling them out they can be converted. They come with a top tap and can be adapted to take CO2 via a S30 valve. The internal gas charge unit can be removed by cutting a 42mm (roughly) hole in the top and then filling the hole with the top of a PET bottle glued in place. I use lucozade bottles because they have a wider neck. Easier to clean inside and the S30 valve can be fitted into the bottle top. Despite some reservations I use araldite rapid to glue the bottle top, but others are available of course. Not been poisoned.... yet.! I know most folks won't be using these, not visiting Calais much, but just thought l'd mention it....

It took me three attempts to decide that I couldn't get the damned CO2 cartridges out!

Never thought of your solution though and bought three MKs back in the UK instead.

A photograph of the finished article would be a good guide as we will be back in France in September. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[marlon]

It took me three attempts to decide that I couldn't get the damned CO2 cartridges out!

Never thought of your solution though and bought three MKs back in the UK instead.

A photograph of the finished article would be a good guide as we will be back in France in September. :thumb: :thumb:

Dutto, I'll take a few pics and try loading them later on today

 

[marlon]

Dutto, Some pics SHOULD be attached somewhere here. But me and confusers..!? If you can see them, 1st is original MK, then the tools & stuff I used, followed by one I did earlier with the gas cartridge along side it, then a close up of the finished top with S30 valve fitted. Could probably screw a gas supply onto the valve, but I just screw on the gas cylinder, gingerly, when gas is needed. To get a good seal where the bottle top glues into the MK I found it best to bend the edge of the cut hole upwards all the way round the hole about 45 degs to form a lip so it fits the edge of the bottle nicely. Tuck the cut off bottle inside the lip and glue in place. Takes about half hour to do one. Hope this inspires - I just hate slinging stuff away....
Marlon
PS the hole cutter is 1 5/8" dia. ( you can get away with 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" )

 

[MyQul]

I've been drinking beer from MK's for the past week or two. I finished off (well MrsMQ did) a MK of vienna hybrid beer/pseudo lager yesterday eve. I've just open a bottle of extactly the same beer from the same batch and its more bitter. The MKed version was so much smoother. Definately another plus point for the MK's

 

[Dutto]

.............. Hope this inspires - I just hate slinging stuff away....

Many thanks for the photographs. :thumb:

I too hate chucking stuff away and I can see a project developing for the winter ... :thumb:

... if I can sneak a few MKs into the shopping trolley in France! :whistle:

 

[marlon]

Good luck with that - getting them past SWMBO..!

 

[marlon]

I've been drinking beer from MK's for the past week or two. I finished off (well MrsMQ did) a MK of vienna hybrid beer/pseudo lager yesterday eve. I've just open a bottle of extactly the same beer from the same batch and its more bitter. The MKed version was so much smoother. Definately another plus point for the MK's

Yeah. I've bottled a few at the end of kegging and even though it's the same batch, from the same FV, the kegged always tastes better to me. But then I always choose draught over bottled down the Olde **** n Trumpet. ( when mrs. Marlon lets me out that is...)

 

[MickDundee]

I've been drinking beer from MK's for the past week or two. I finished off (well MrsMQ did) a MK of vienna hybrid beer/pseudo lager yesterday eve. I've just open a bottle of extactly the same beer from the same batch and its more bitter. The MKed version was so much smoother. Definately another plus point for the MK's

I found the MK completely changed my steam beer. It might have been the lower carb levels but it was much more complex in the mouth and very much more like a nice amber real ale from my local beer festival than an American style craft beer.

 

[MyQul]

I found the MK completely changed my steam beer. It might have been the lower carb levels but it was much more complex in the mouth and very much more like a nice amber real ale from my local beer festival than an American style craft beer.

I was going to ask you about your steam beer. The styles on my list of to do.

 

[MickDundee]

I was going to ask you about your steam beer. The styles on my list of to do.

It's worked very well, it's my "revelation" beer where I realised it's possible to make beers as good as or better than the commercial beers.

There are a couple of things I would change if I were to make it again, and I've since obtained a "semi-official" recipe so think I know what adjustments to make.

 

[MyQul]

It's worked very well, it's my "revelation" beer where I realised it's possible to make beers as good as or better than the commercial beers.

There are a couple of things I would change if I were to make it again, and I've since obtained a "semi-official" recipe so think I know what adjustments to make.

Willing to share what you would have done differently? (and possibly post the recipe in the recipe section?)

 

[MickDundee]

Willing to share what you would have done differently? (and possibly post the recipe in the recipe section?)

The recipe I used is in my Steam Beer thread (http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=62196).

I can't share the semi-official one because it's from a book, but it actually uses quite a bit more than 10% of crystal malt. If I were to make it again I probably wouldn't go as high as that recipe but I would maybe a little higher as I did feel it lacked a little body body and mouth feel. I also believe I should have fermented colder initially (16C) then put it up to 19C after about 10 days - I don't know what difference this would make though (would it help with my lack of body?). I'd originally thought my IBUs could have done with being a bit higher but the more I drink it the more I think I've got it spot on!

 

[MyQul]

The recipe I used is in my Steam Beer thread (http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=62196).

I can't share the semi-official one because it's from a book, but it actually uses quite a bit more than 10% of crystal malt. If I were to make it again I probably wouldn't go as high as that recipe but I would maybe a little higher as I did feel it lacked a little body body and mouth feel. I also believe I should have fermented colder initially (16C) then put it up to 19C after about 10 days - I don't know what difference this would make though (would it help with my lack of body?). I'd originally thought my IBUs could have done with being a bit higher but the more I drink it the more I think I've got it spot on!

Looking at your original steam beer thread the yeast got quite a high attenuation at 80%. If you want a bit more body just mash higher to get a lower attenuation.

 

[MickDundee]

Looking at your original steam beer thread the yeast got quite a high attenuation at 80%. If you want a bit more body just mash higher to get a lower attenuation.

Cheers! Even though I knew about mashing higher, I never actually thought that might be an optionor next time. It can be quite lethal given a mini keg of the stuff as it's 4.9% but barely tastes like it's 4%!

 

[MyQul]

Cheers! Even though I knew about mashing higher, I never actually thought that might be an optionor next time. It can be quite lethal given a mini keg of the stuff as it's 4.9% but barely tastes like it's 4%!

Tell me about it. Now that I've started just to use mini kegs almost exclusively I'm finding it so much easier to quaff the beer. My 5% beers (mostly porters and pseudo lager hybrids) get drunk as fast as my 3.5% Ordinary Bitters so I've started to make beer at 4% max.

 

[DoctorMick]

Had 6 Easy Kegs delivered yesterday so plan to fill 2 per brew to reduce my bottling pain! :thumb:

I take it its as simple as sanitising, adding 20g of sugar, filling with beer (leaving a bit of head space) and chucking in the bung?

 

[MyQul]

Yup.

Normally I do fill three kegs per brew. You'll find you wont want to bottle given how easy the kegs are to fill and what a PITA bottling is