Transfering from pb to pb.

[BridgeBrew]

Dont know if anybody has tried this but here we go. I have a touring caravan, and want to take some of my beer with me, i have tried the mini keg thing, and didnt have much success tasted tinny. What i was going to try was transfering some beer thats conditioned into another pb, then CO2 flush it to get rid of any oxygen. Anybody tried this ?

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I’ve not tried it but there’s nothing wrong in what you’re suggesting.

Another thing you could consider is filling some 2 litre fizzy drinks bottles. Fill them pretty much to the top, then prime them with a little sugar (make sure it’s dissolved in a little water or when you put it in you’ll have a mini Vesuvius on your hands), squeeze out any remaining air in the head space while you fit the cap. The beer will carbonate over the next few days if kept at room temperature. You’ll then have fresh bottled carbonated beer and can even take several types in different bottles. They will probably even fit in the fridge once carbonated.

 

[BridgeBrew]

I've done the bottle thing, but not added priming sugar, just squeezed the bottle to purge the oxygen. That works, but the beer is a bit lifeless.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I've done the bottle thing, but not added priming sugar, just squeezed the bottle to purge the oxygen. That works, but the beer is a bit lifeless.

Yes it will be, whatever carbonation you had escapes from the beer to fill the head space. A bit of priming sugar will take up the slack and reinvigorate your beer.

 

[BridgeBrew]

I do understand what you're saying, but by adding priming sugar your starting the yeast, I was trying to get away from that, as the beer I want to transfer is crystal clear, and well conditioned.

 

[Buffers brewery]

I've not done what you're asking so my reply is a bit theoretical. So if I wanted to do that I'd make sure the empty keg is full of CO2 first. Mainly because I've never been convinced of the efficiency of gas flushing. It's probably good enough but not for me.
My experience of pouring through the standard tap of a PB is it can be a bit "foamy" if pouring under pressure. So if you're transferring from one PB to another I reckon you'll lose a bit of carbonation, which, depending on the beer, will need to be re-carbonated, either from added sugar or CO2 pressure, the latter only for low carbonated beers.
So I think which ever way you go, either bottles or PB to get the beer back to it's original condition, you're going to have to re-carbonate.
That's my opinion for what it's worth and totally theoretical
BTW, why not just take the original PB?

 

[BridgeBrew]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't wanna take the original PB as it's a bit bulky ( it's a king keg) I'm transferring the beer to a smaller capacity PB, and I don't wanna stir the secondary fermentation yeast up, so trying to get it off the yeast. Throwing the KK in the back of the car for a 2 hour trip I'd end up with soup, and have to rest the beer for at least a week to clear the yeast. I had to transfer a kit beer between KKs a few years ago when I developed a leaky tap, and it worked just by purging the oxygen. I think I'll de pressurise the KK, and Syphon the beer into the caravan keg to avoid excess foam, and oxygen contamination. Plan is to then purge with CO2, then de pressurise the keg via the Schrader valve to about 2psi to avoid any explotions during transit.

 

[Buffers brewery]

Syphoning sounds like a plan to minimise foaming . I guess if the smaller keg is reasonably full gas flushing will be easier. If the pressure relief valve is working you could up the transit pressure to keep your beer carbonated .
Be interested in knowing how it works out.

 

[BridgeBrew]

The plan was to Syphon about 15 PTS into the smaller PB, so about half full. Leaving about 15 PTS in the KK. It'll be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[Crazyrider]

I’d connect a hose to the taps of the PB and then transfer what you want. Similar to an oxygen free transfer with kegs etc…

You’ll need to unscrew the lid of the empty one when the beer starts to slow.

 

[ScrumpyRam]

I’ve not tried it but there’s nothing wrong in what you’re suggesting.

Another thing you could consider is filling some 2 litre fizzy drinks bottles. Fill them pretty much to the top, then prime them with a little sugar (make sure it’s dissolved in a little water or when you put it in you’ll have a mini Vesuvius on your hands), squeeze out any remaining air in the head space while you fit the cap. The beer will carbonate over the next few days if kept at room temperature. You’ll then have fresh bottled carbonated beer and can even take several types in different bottles. They will probably even fit in the fridge once carbonated.

I like this suggestion Hazelwood. So, for a 2L bottle, how much is 'a little sugar'........1 tsp?

 

[CD]

. I think I'll de pressurise the KK, and Syphon the beer into the caravan keg to avoid excess foam, and oxygen contamination. Plan is to then purge with CO2, then de pressurise the keg via the Schrader valve to about 2psi to avoid any explotions during transit.

The trouble with that plan is that when you de-pressurise your KK the yeast will be disturbed, leading to slightly hazy beer.

 

[TonyT]

Dont know if anybody has tried this but here we go. I have a touring caravan, and want to take some of my beer with me, i have tried the mini keg thing, and didnt have much success tasted tinny. What i was going to try was transfering some beer thats conditioned into another pb, then CO2 flush it to get rid of any oxygen. Anybody tried this ?

I’ve done that a couple of times, exactly as you describe and never had a problem with it.

 

[BridgeBrew]

Yeah that was my only reservation. I'll de pressurise the KK very slowly.

 

[RGeats]

How long are you keeping the beer in the new keg? Are you drinking it over a few days? If so do you have to worry too much about the O2?

 

[Buffers brewery]

If you've got the time it might be worth chilling the keg down before transfer. A kind of cold crash. It'll help to keep the yeast under control and put a bit more CO2 in the beer

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

I like this suggestion Hazelwood. So, for a 2L bottle, how much is 'a little sugar'........1 tsp?

It depends on the beer style and how well carbonated it is already. The good thing about plastic drinks bottles is that you can give them a squeeze and if it feels like too much pressure (carbonation) for the style of beer you can loosen the lid slightly and bleed a little pressure off. I think you’ll not be far off with 1 tsp though. Do remember to dissolve the sugar in a drop of boiled water or the sugar grains will form nucleation points and after about three seconds the carbonated beer will suddenly erupt.

 

[BridgeBrew]

I plan on keeping the beer for a week in the caravan barrel. Bottling is out of the question as I don't wanna re start the yeast by re priming. The idea is to get clear, nicely conditioned beer into the keg ready for consumption.

 

[BridgeBrew]

Transfer completed. I shall pull a pint in a few days, and post the result. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

[Hazelwood Brewery]

Transfer completed. I shall pull a pint in a few days, and post the result. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

It should be fine - don’t forget to pack your CO2! (Maybe strap it to the barrel!)