Hi folks, I posted a while ago about using pub casks. Some really useful info came back about stillage, opening, serving etc, but I am still a bit confused about how to clean, fill and seal them. I bought the Camra Cellarmanship book, but it (understandably) doesn’t include detail of what happens in the brewery.
So, any tips on the following would be really appreciated:
1. Cleaning – how best to do this at home (i.e no fancy cask washer to hand)?
2. Filling – just syphon from FV / conditioning tank? Fill to brim (with finings) or leave a gap?
3. Sealing – how hard to hammer in shive / keystone etc?
4. Suppliers – where best to buy a limited quantity of shives and keystones (I have two pins and a firk) preferably the Rankin ones?
Thanks in advance,
SB.
Filling and Sealing Pub Casks
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Cazamodo
Re: Filling and Sealing Pub Casks
I plan to use pins at home from now... BUT only because I have bits and pieces to make it easier from work.
If I didnt I would be very tempted to stick to kegs, or polypin bags if using a hand pump. Theres some good threads on those. But in answer to you.
1. I would soak it with whatever cleaner you use. Then give it a good spray with the hose. When it looks clean/free of dirt, one last rinse and a santise with starsan or similar I would imagine does the trick.
2. Yep just syphon straight in. I'd say leave an inch to a 1 1/2" gap.
3. They should hammer in pretty easy. Certainly the rubber keystones. Just make sure theyre in good, dont want any blowing out. You cant really hit a shive in too hard. Or a keystone for that matter.
4. No idea I'm afraid, I only get them from Murphys and pretty sure they come in the thousands.
If I didnt I would be very tempted to stick to kegs, or polypin bags if using a hand pump. Theres some good threads on those. But in answer to you.
1. I would soak it with whatever cleaner you use. Then give it a good spray with the hose. When it looks clean/free of dirt, one last rinse and a santise with starsan or similar I would imagine does the trick.
2. Yep just syphon straight in. I'd say leave an inch to a 1 1/2" gap.
3. They should hammer in pretty easy. Certainly the rubber keystones. Just make sure theyre in good, dont want any blowing out. You cant really hit a shive in too hard. Or a keystone for that matter.
4. No idea I'm afraid, I only get them from Murphys and pretty sure they come in the thousands.
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Blackaddler
- Under the Table
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- Location: Addlestein, Surrey
Re: Filling and Sealing Pub Casks
2. As with bottles, just make sure that you don't aerate the beer during transfer.screwybrewy wrote:
2. Filling – just syphon from FV / conditioning tank? Fill to brim (with finings) or leave a gap?
4. Suppliers – where best to buy a limited quantity of shives and keystones (I have two pins and a firk) preferably the Rankin ones?
4. Check out Brandels. They don't stock keystones but can get them if you enquire. Shipping is about a fiver, though.