First AG only lasted five weeks in a budget barrel

[lewis1981]

i have had to just pour away the rest of my Speckled Hen down the toilet. i poured a glass and could taste a sour/vinegar taste. my budget barrel only has a vent cap (from Wilkos) and was primed at first. i thought there would be enough co2 there to preserve it. i used iodophor to santise as a no rinse solution could this be the cause as never used it before but followed all instructions. any info would help as need to start another brew soon.

[Garth]

not many folk have gotten away with natural CO2 production for priming to dispense a whole keg, most need to add a bit extra CO2 from a sparklet bulb, Sodastream cannister etc,

what has probably happened is the naturally made CO2 has gone, and the barrel maybe has a slight leak and air has gotten in and spoilt it, I think you've done well for five weeks just from carbonation from the beer,

although you do realise that 30-40 pints should have been dranks week ago

get a cap with an S-30 adaptor and get a sodastream/hambleton bard cannister, when you feel the need, give it a squit, the beer will come out a bit quicker, have a little more life to it, and keep it preserved for longer.

[lewis1981]

I have two cornies now for my next brew all I need is a bottle of co2 so u think the beer has oxidized then?

[Garth]

well, it will have probably oxidised first, which is sometimes described as a cardboardy sherry taste, then it'll have become infected probably by some airbourne wild yeast or something

if you have gone the cornie route then you have done the right thing mate, beer can last for years in them.

eBay can provide you with a cheap regulator and a local friendly landlord asked the right way will sell you a bottle of CO2, offer him something like £10-£20, which is nowt for the length of time they last.

[lewis1981]

I have all my bits from norm, regulator, beer line, tap and disconnects etc next thing is gas

[adm]

i have had to just pour away the rest of my Speckled Hen down the toilet. i poured a glass and could taste a sour/vinegar taste. my budget barrel only has a vent cap (from Wilkos) and was primed at first. i thought there would be enough co2 there to preserve it. i used iodophor to santise as a no rinse solution could this be the cause as never used it before but followed all instructions. any info would help as need to start another brew soon.

Drink it much quicker next time.

[GARYSMIFF]

I try to stick some in a bottle or to for l8tr but most goes down the hatch

[crookedeyeboy]

Keep an eye on your sterility.

Even if the air has got in through some leak or whatever, if there were no acetic bacteria present in the first place it wouldnt taste sour/vinegary.

I have had a brew in my garage in a kingkeg for two months and its fine which I was very surprised about! I must be doing something right with the detergents!

[Earth Titan]

I switched to bottles after the expense / problems with kegs. Although a right pain in the backside to clean, sterilise, fill etc. have had no problmes so far and i can leave some to fully condition in the cellar.

I've had great success using Wilkos / Lidls / Tesco value thin bleach, diluted down. Seems to keep the gremlins away and can't detect any taint with minimal amounts of rinseing..

[lewis1981]

with a king keg you can inject co2 whereas i dont have that option with my keg as i havent got an injector. i have some cornies for my next brew so just need a bottle of gas now.