Conditioning in cornie without force carbonation

inthedark · Post by **inthedark** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 1:59 pm

Hi, I've got a brew which has fermented down in a primary, and I want to rack straight into a cornie. It's had a couple of days at a lower temp 12 degC ish so much of the yeast has dropped out I expect.

I want to use a cornie with a beer engine for dispense, and don't particular want to add unnecessary co2. What temperature will I need to mature this at to get a normal level of condition?

masterosouffle · Post by **masterosouffle** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:07 pm

If you plan to prime with sugar you will need to give it a couple of weeks at fermentation temperatures so the yeast can get to work.
You should then be able to use 2-3 psi when using the beer engine

inthedark · Post by **inthedark** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:26 pm

Hi, was hoping to avoid priming if possible, and won't be using any top pressure with the beer engine - I'll just release the pressure valve and allow air in (I'm not planning on keeping this one for more than one evening, as I'll have mates round).

I'm working from BYOBRA 3rd Edition, where on p77 GW talks about casking "The cask should then be stowed away and the ale matured for an appropriate period" - he just doesn't say where to stow it. Should this be a few weeks at fermentation temp and then a couple at cellar temp?

inthedark · Post by **inthedark** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:09 am

<bump> any other ideas?

BarnsleyBrewer · Post by **BarnsleyBrewer** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:25 am

Unless you've crash cooled before the yeasties have finished working you'll need to add sugar to prime because the little blighter's will have nibbled it all away!!
I'd add some sugar and store at 18c - 20c for a week then cool, when your makes come around release the co2 (keep the valve open)hook up the beer engine and empty the keg... if not empty purge all the air out and re-gas for another day!!

BB

inthedark · Post by **inthedark** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:53 am

OK, thanks for the advice, I've moved the cornie into the warm.

BUT has anyone allowed conditioning without priming? I'll prime if I absolutely have to but reading GW again:

A well-brewed beer, kept its proper time, should not need priming or fining. A good yeast will clear down unaided, and residual dextrins (carbohydrates) in the beer will slowly ferment and produce perfect condition.

I don't want to just accept this if it's not achievable in a homebrew setting, but equally don't particularly like the condition you end up with by priming (all a little bit keg-ish for my liking). Any experience here of just leaving it as GW suggests?

Thanks

TheMumbler · Post by **TheMumbler** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:18 pm

I guess it is going to depend on how long you are willing to wait and how much carbonation you want...The other thing is whether the corny is actually sealed at that low a pressure. Unless you have the softer red seals then I believe that they often don't get gas tight without around 5psi of pressure.

Why not give it a go and see? Assuiming you have gas you can always try the beer week or so before you intend to dispense and put a little CO2 in if it isn't at the level that you want.

inthedark · Post by **inthedark** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:24 pm

TheMumbler wrote:Why not give it a go and see?

Good advice - I was worried about knackering my beer if it didn't turn out how I hoped but as you say I can always gas it up if I have to, so nothing wasted. I'll do that & report back.

On a related point - red seals? Where do I find out about those?

Cheers

TheMumbler · Post by **TheMumbler** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:52 pm

AFAIK you get them from [url=http://www.candirect.co.ukkegs,_tanks,_storage_tanks_type_cc_series_spare_parts_for_tanks_cc_series.php#itemno3]here[/url], they might be available in the UK but I have never heard anybody mention it. I have never tried them but I keep meaning to.

Scooby · Post by **Scooby** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:33 pm

I have a fully fermented beer (14 days and same gravity for a few days) conditioning in a cornie at the moment, it's been there
for 10 days and I've vented it twice in that time with a whisper of gas each time. There is always a small amount of Co2 in
solution when you rack from primary anyway and small sample taken with a flexitap definitely has some life, I'd be happy
to drink it pulled through a beer engine. I'm going to leave it for a few more weeks then transfer the bright beer to another
cornie, connecting the out post to out post then apply 3-4 psi and leave to mature for a bit.

I'm sure Wheeler is right, a well brewed beer will condition without priming if left well alone. You do have to be sure your cornie
will seal with an initial 20-30psi, 3 of mine I'm confident with but I have a couple I'm not sure about. As you say if you fail it won't
be a disaster as you can gas it up.

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