Honey I Shrunk The Keg!

[periolus]

Okay. I have in mind an experiment, which will entail fermenting beer kits in two equal parts (fermenting in 2 x 15L fermenters and then kegging in 2 small kegs)

It will be easiest to use kits with two cans of syrup, as supplied with kits such as Woodforde's Wherry, although ideally I want one that requires the addition of sugar so that I can try comparing sugar with spraymalt etc.

Here are my questions:

1. I know you can get 15L fermenters, but can you get 12L or 15L barrels? I have seen a 10L but this would require short brewing

2. Which kits do you know of that supply two cans of syrup in equal quantities AND require the addition of sugar - if any?

3. Is it really worth it, or should I just mix a brew as usual and then syphon off half into a different fermenter before adding sugar/spraymalt etc.?

Who knows?!

Let me know what you reckon.

 

[Growler]

personally I would go for number 3

make up a kit as normal up to the point of putting in the sugar/ spray malt
divide it between 2 buckets and add the sugar/ spraymalt to each then half the yeast to each simple

but rather than trying to find small pressure barrels I would bottle them

 

[Moley]

I agree with Growler, although I don't know very much about kit brewing I thought the whole point of the two-can kits was that you didn't need to add anything to them (apart from water), so mix up a budget kit and split that, then bottle when they are done.

Alternatively, try a two-can kit such as Wherry, brew one with the supplied yeast and the other with something like S-04 or Nottingham.

 

[Growler]

Alternatively, try a two-can kit such as Wherry, brew one with the supplied yeast and the other with something like S-04 or Nottingham.

thats an idea :thumb:

 

[prolix]

I'd do the two cans then you can also play with the OG, have one at 1050 the other at 1040, dry hop and all sorts.

 

[periolus]

I love the idea of trying different yeasts - fab idea. And I do now have a stack of bottles and caps. I'll talk to Rob about acquiring some yeasts. Are S-04 and Nottingham fresh yeasts?

 

[Moley]

S-04, Nottingham, Windsor etc. are dried yeasts, available in sachets from any decent LHBS or from the various online suppliers.

I didn't really believe what others have said on this forum but I've tried it and it's true, depending on your choice of yeasties you can get two subtly or totally different beers from the same wort.