Just joined.

[Brownie83]

Hi All,

Thought I would introduce myself as a new member.

I purchased a Youngs starter kit a little while ago, and have recently got round to starting my first brew.

The kit came with a Youngs "You Brew" bitter kit, i followed the instructions and all went well - it had been in the FV for 6 days and the reading on the hydrometer was the same for the last two days and it had begun to clear nicely so I decided to transfer to the keg which I primed with 3oz of brewing sugar.

After a further 4 days in the keg I couldn't resist trying to pour a little off - turned out cracking, came out with a "whoosh" - a little cloudy as it obviously hadnt fully settled but had a nice white head on it.

I left it for a further 3 days to and tapped a little off again to see if it had cleared further - this time there seemed to be no pressure in the barrel and the beer just dribbled out.

I'm a bit worried as to what has happened.....

Has anyone any ideas / advice??

 

[LeicesterLad]

Welcome Brownie,

Id say leave it be ..let it stand for at least 2 weeks before sampling...i know its all about patience.

However I would recommend you get yourself a youngs co2 injector available at wilko's for £16.98 as when you start drinking the brew usually about half way down you pressure drops and its starts to glug out the barrell rather than a nice pressurised burst. Its then you add the Co2 which intern also preserves your beer as well...it can stay in the barrell for months I had my Woodford Wherry in it for over 6 months untill i polished it off and it just gets better with age ...although being your first brew I cant see this one lasting anywhere near that lol.

One other point though did you grease the rubber seal before tightening the cap I use vaseline ....if the caps not on properly or your leaking air then it wont matter how ever long you leave it ....

 

[Brownie83]

Hi Leicester Lad,

Thanks for the advice, I thought that the Co2 injectors were mostly for use with lagers etc but if you say that they can be used with bitters I will invest in one this week.

I did grease the rubber seal with some vaseline.

I have set the keg to one side in the shed now and have vowed not to touch it for 2 weeks!

Like you say - once done I dont envisage it lasting too long!

 

[LeicesterLad]

If your doing a lager then id say get a corny keg...hey id say get one anyways after youve got a few brews under your belt ..

The Co2 is not just used to carbonate your brew but also to allow you get it in your pint glass as youve already found and keep it fresh as oxygen and beer dont mix well...

Im sure with the warm weather its fine in the shed but not when the weather cools again keep it in doors for the 1st 2 weeks then you can put it in the shed to condition.

Enjoy buddy

 

Welcome to the Forum B83

 

[Dieseljockey]

Hi B83 & welcome to the forum...

You see ...you ask and the guys deliver :thumb: sound advice. :clap:

You've made a good start with your brew....now get the next one in the FV to follow on when you start drinking t'other un.... :clap:

 

[Samarith]

Welcome to the boards.

Some barrels have a pressure relief valve in the cap, on cheaper barrels this is just a small plastic seal that blows out if the barrel pressure gets too high. Visually inspect the valve if you have one, just to be sure.