My first brew

[Joes1806]

Just bout o start my first brew. Got a coopers DIY kit it should come with a larger not unpacked it yet. After the 15 days once its finished firmenting the video I saw they put it in bottles with the carb drops and stored for 2 months till beer was ready. Can I not put it into a holding barrel instead. But my barrel don't have a pressure lid its just a solid cap. Would this matter. Can I put beer in there and leave 2 months then bottle with the carb drops.

If so what I the best way to get it into the barrels from the fermenter

Thanks

 

[RobWalker]

solid cap you need to add enough sugar in to carbonate it (save your carb drops for bottling beer) and if it runs out you will need to reprime. it also won't be as fizzy as you want for a lager, just mildly fizzy like an ale. you'll also need to serve it at a relatively warm temperature or the co2 will run out quickly...

there's only one way - keg on the floor, bucket on the side, syphon it in. anything else will expose it to oxygen and ruin it.

I usually start drinking after 2 weeks in the keg, 1 in the warm and 1 in the cold. after that it's pretty adequate, so sod it.

 

[jonnymorris]

...after that it's pretty adequate, so sod it.

:-D

 

[Joes1806]

But do I have to carbonate it if I'm going to bottle it after . Just want to use the barrel to store it till I buy enough bottles.

 

[Hawks]

Ask around local pub / restaurants - you'll have enough bottles in no time :thumb:

 

[Joes1806]

Don't want glass bottles. Am sticking to the brown plastic Onse. £10 for 24 already on order just need my question answered

 

[Joes1806]

Anyone

 

[jonnymorris]

You could do that but you'll need to be scrupulous about sanitation. It may also be worthwhile priming the brew before you close the barrel so that it'll produce a bit of CO2 and protect it from the O2. Then when you come to bottling you'll need to prime again to carbonate.

Siphon the beer from your FV into the barrel being careful not to splash.

 

[Joes1806]

Ok. What if I buy a cap that I can screw a gas bulb onto, would I still have to prime or just screw the bulb on , do you only use 1 per barrel ,do I screw iron and leave it on and just pour a pint when I need it ,

Could someone explain what there for and how long they last

 

[jonnymorris]

You'll still need to prime if you plan on using a barrel, even if it has a valve. There are two types of valve, one accepts a CO2 cylinder that will last a while and can be refilled. You just give a squirt when needed with these. The other accepts little bulbs that give one shot of CO2 and are then used.

You'll probably need a bit of added CO2 half way through the barrel, or when the pressure reduces and flow slows. From then on you'll need a few more shots to get the rest out.

 

[Joes1806]

Ok. That's helpful. So put the single use bulb on and leave it till roughly halfway down and the flow slows. Thanks.

Think I understand priming so will look into that more.
Just gonna bottle my first batch to see how I go but will be getting a couple barrels and Wat to buy 2 more fv and don't want 1000 bottles everywhere

 

[jonewer]

Not advised to barrel then transfer from barrel to bottle. You are almost certainly going to aerate the beer.

 

[Joes1806]

I understand that now. If will bottle this lot ad then barrel the next and keep it in the barrel. Will make something that I can use to gravity transfer the brew into a barrel withou it comin into contact with air or splash as I put it in

 

[winelight]

Not advised to barrel then transfer from barrel to bottle. You are almost certainly going to aerate the beer.

Indeed. It's just not worth the risk.

 

[jonnymorris]

Ok. That's helpful. So put the single use bulb on and leave it till roughly halfway down and the flow slows.

Nope. Do nothing until flow slows then give it a shot of CO2. If you're using the one shot bulbs you screw them on and can then take them off straight away (once it's blown).

 

[Joes1806]

Thanks for the help. Will start my brewing soon. Do they give of smell while in the fv as I have a temp on 21 in my bedroom and 18 in kitchen when heating is on as its by the door but if heating goes off the kitchen get colder but bedroom stays same so wanna store it inu bedroom for the first few weeks till I bottle first lot

 

[winelight]

Doesn't smell that I've noticed and anyway it's a nice smell, lol. But the cooler temp in the kitchen overnight really doesn't matter.

Actually most things don't matter, everyone has an opinion you should do it this way or that, but as long as you don't risk infecting the brew nothing else matters too much.

 

[Joes1806]

Well I've made it at its sitting at 22 degrees ATM but will go down to 18. I have put a towel round the base to try and help it around 20 will keep checking.

My og is 1042 and am usin coopers larger with the new fv with removable collar

 

[jonnymorris]

...as long as you don't risk infecting the brew nothing else matters too much.

Making beer is easy. Making great beer takes a little more attention to detail.

 

[Joes1806]

I'm sure over time and from info on here I will learn.