Pressure barrel basics

[dasbootfish]

Just bottled a stout and got another in the fv so i'm thinking of putting this in the barrel for ease (coopers with dme and treacle added). So, what are the basic guidelines for the stout/barrel set up? Do I batch prime, carbonate or just leave be. I'm a novice at home brew but even more so at using a barrel. Any help appreciated.

[bigtoe]

Im about to do the same, coopers with DME, black treacle and demerara sugar, this one is going in my king keg. I will batch prime with 200ml of water heated to the boil then left to cool adding in 100g of honey when the water hits 80c to pasteurise it, then added to the beer when it drops to 25c. The reason i batch prime with honey is i find the carbonation is more subtle, smaller bubbles (when bottled) so im hoping in the keg it will be just as subtle. I primed my first bottled coopers stout with honey and it came out fantastic, this new brew is a little stronger abv already and i fancy seeing what it is like thru a sparkler tap...so we shall see;)

[dasbootfish]

So whats next then Bigtoe....just sit back and wait or is there any tinkering during the next process?

[Francois]

I use a king keg with s30 co2 valve, don't prime as I can just give it a couple of shots of co2 right after the beer goes in and then let it sit. 2 weeks I normally give, though the longer you can keep your hands off it the better of course particularly with heavier styles

[bigtoe]

So whats next then Bigtoe....just sit back and wait or is there any tinkering during the next process?

2 week inside the house/kitchen in relative 17c warmth, then outside (covered) or in the garage/shed (depending on room) with a keg pressure around 7psi(it drops to this due to the lower temperature). During the 2 weeks inside i maintain the keg at 12psi to make sure the co2 is absorbed. The last brew i kegged I had to bleed off pressure near daily as it would often hit 1BAR with ease during the secondary, even though the primary FG was down to 1.010.

This stout needs a little gas, BUT nothing like as much as say an IPA etc, i know a lot of lads drink it flat (not for me) hence i go the honey route.

Im 4 maybe 5 pints off an empty keg now, the stout is close on finished in the FV, this weekend it may be time to transfer it (depending if i can sup the 5 pints tomorrow night and still stand up afterwards lol)

Then its either St Peters IPA into the FV with some tweaks or my first extract brew which is Way To Amarillo....can't decide which to do just yet.

[bigtoe]

I use a king keg with s30 co2 valve, don't prime as I can just give it a couple of shots of co2 right after the beer goes in and then let it sit. 2 weeks I normally give, though the longer you can keep your hands off it the better of course particularly with heavier styles

I was going to try that but decided to let the beer create its own CO2, I just inject mine now to maintain enough pressure to ensure a good pour from the top tap keg.

[dasbootfish]

Thanks for the replies fellas...given me some good ideas and help. Just received some crushed choc malt so I'm thinking of having a play with that stuff as well, bit of experimenting. Thanks again.

[Corps012588]

Can I ask a question in this bit please?
My sweet newbie brown ale finished fermenting and as per the instructions
Was put into a pb with the stated sugar for the advised 2 days at warm temp.
After that I put it out in the outhouse and lastnight tried to pour a pint and there's no pressure!
Is it screwed or can I bring it into the warm to start it carbing again?!

[jimpy0]

make sure the PB aint leaking, failing that give it a swirl to wake up any yeast left in and warm it up - failing that try C02-ing it

[Corps012588]

Thank you.
Now please dont laugh but the barrel is full. Would it be safe to inject a co2 caplet into it?
Im petrified of having a 40 pint explosion!!!!!!!!

[jimpy0]

I'd go with the warming up bit first, the co2 injector systems have a relief valve built in so am pretty sure they dont explode as the gas enters the liquid not the dead space above it

[Corps012588]

Brilliant. Thank you.
My other worry is that as I tried to pour the pint the pb bubbled inside! Only briefly though so don't think too much air got in but I'm now hoping it won't spoil as I saw on a video that once air bubbles into the barrel the beer will go off in a matter of days and I wanted this for Christmas!

[Redimpz]

If it is cold in your outhouse, (and I suspect it is) you may find that all of the Co2 in your keg has been absorbed into the beer. The colder it gets the more co2 is absorbed. Hopefully once it has warmed up a bit it should be ok.