First Brew Ever.

[FreakWhenSee]

you can keg half easily, the pressure release valve will ensure there's only co2 in there and no nasty oxygen :thumb:

I have got a very basic looking plastic keg that came in my Wilko home brew kit. I don't think it has this feature at all, but if I post a few pics of it tomorrow, would you mind telling me if it'll survive in it?

Otherwise it's all going in the bottles

Thanks,

-Jay

 

[radioactive]

Hello I hope your first effort turns out to be really good for you I can see by reading the posts you are very very eagar and that will help you no end in the future imho
you can use this post as part of your notes of reference to future brews it will come in handy for sure and things that you will have learnt already such as not fermenting your brew too warm also its a good idea to keep it out of sunlight and draughts too for that matter but above all try to resist opening it up to the atmosphere. Hard to resist I know but for instance I've got into the habit of leaving it a full 3 weeks at a nice lowish temp before I move it to a barrel I leave it at least another day then before I bottle it we all differ slightly but I am just trying to make the point time is on your side when brewing
good luck for the future I am sure you will enjoy your first home brew soon enough

 

[FreakWhenSee]

Thanks Radio :

Come Monday it will have been in the FV for 2 weeks. Might have to order a few bits and pieces online and wait for delivery, but I hope it shan't make too much difference.

This be the lid from the Wilko starter pack (aka Basic keg)

If one were to bottle half of ones brew, would (blimey, one ask a lot of questions)

One be able to batch prime by transferring from FV to keg, then using the keg to fill a few bottles and leave the rest to condition in the keg?
Also, would a partly filled keg have any issues with pressure due to the decreased volume of beer?

-Jay

 

[FreakWhenSee]

Just checked gravity today and had my first little taste in the trial jar :) it's at 1.008 now, which makes it 4.2% using the Forum's calculator. I will be bottling on Monday/Tuesday I think.

Bought a second FV that came with a Little Bottler, so I will be batch priming and hoping everything goes to plan.

Thanks so much for all your help and advice gentlemen :thumb:

-Jay

 

[FreakWhenSee]

Bottling day!

49 bottles cleaned (one with a dodgy chunk out of it on the base, not going to risk it) took hour and a half; praise be unto the bottle tree! :pray:

Batch priming it and using the Little Bottler, wish me luck gents :)

-Jay

 

[fbsf]

Good luck Sir!

I always de-label/clean my bottles a few days before, and then I only have to sanitise and rinse on bottling day. It makes the bottling process seem a lot less arduous!

 

[FreakWhenSee]

All done! 42 beers bottled. Used demerara sugar to prime, Little Bottler was a real life saver. Small spillages, a few bubbles but the brew tastes gorgeous, everything was sterile so I am pretty doubtful I'll have any complications.

Now we play the waiting game :drink:

I actually bought all my swing stoppers brand new, so I just needed to sterilise them on the day! Virgin bottles :)

-Jay