Pressure Barrel and Co2

[donna11]

Hi my husband and I are new to home brewing we are at present fermenting a youngs cider kit, but after that we have a Muntons Gold Imperial Stout to try, we are confused do we need to add co2 to the barrel, we have a basic plastic barrel/keg that came in a starter kit, are these still classed as pressure barrels? The instructions do not mention adding co2, though after reading others posts on this forum I see that alot of people do add co2, can someone please explain why and when co2 should be added, sorry if I sound thick !!!

many thanks
donna

 

[hairybiker]

If the barrel you mention was used to dispense the finished cider and not just to brew it then it is a pressure barrel. Usually they have a 4" cap on top and a tap near the bottom for dispensing. (some thing like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HAMBLETON-BARD-HOMEBREW-BEER-KEG-BARREL-BREW-HOME-/120606383726?pt=Home_Brew)

Dependant on how you prime the beer when it is added to the barrel you may not need to pressurize it at all. Adding 2oz of sugar in a small amount of water (about 100ml, boil them together then let it cool) then add this to the barrel when you siphon the beer in to it.
Most kegs have a co2 inlet at the top to let them be pressurized, a visit to a HB shop is probably your best bet for more info, unless you post a picture of it and the cap.

I usually find that the priming causes enough co2 to dispense 75% of the beer and it is only the last bit that needs a boost.

 

[donna11]

Thank you for your reply, our barrel is like the picture you sent the link for, but doesn't have a co2 inlet thats the only difference, so I am guessing even without the co2 inlet it is still called a pressure barrel.

your advice as helped alot so thank you

 

[hairybiker]

You can purchase replacement caps with co2 inlets installed from your local HB shop or on line. But you would also need a co2 cylinder (HB shop again)