Bottles or Barrels?

[Hogarth]

I know this is an old old argument — a bit like ‘Beatles or Stones?’ — and apologies for reviving it, but I’d like ask: in terms of taste and nothing else, which is better, bottles or barrels? I don’t mind that bottling is a pain, or that beer in a barrel is ready sooner. Given, say, a standard bitter, and assuming that best procedures are followed, which will give me the best pint?

[PieOPah]

Although I admit never having done a taste test, I would think that a barreled beer would taste better than a bottled beer.

This is purely based on the fact that I always prefer a beer from the tap...

[Aleman]

One thing has become clear from looking at the results of the 'National' 'CBA' Homebrew competition - Bottled beers do better. Is that because tehy are better beers, I don't know. It would be interesting to enter the same beer in both formats and see what happened.

Looking at a lot of the forums, it does appear that this is carried over in most countries, and where people keg and bottle the same beer surprise is often exclaimed that the bottled beer tastes 'fresher' than the kegged beer.

I can't be arsed to bottle any more . . . So just why have I bought a Counter Pressure Bottle Filler ? . . . . . and my beer in keg tastes fine to me, and I brew for me, If I was to enter competitions then that is a whole different world.

[popric]

Over the years I've swung back and for between bottling and kegs and for my personal tastes I've found I prefer bitter kegged and a 'draught' quality and I like lagers to be 'sparkling'. So I think it's all down to personal preference.

[incapete]

I'm a bottler myself - it's so much more satisfying to crack open a cap to pour your beer; plus it's easier to store in my larder.
Saying that I barrelled half my recent chocolate stout to see a comparison and the stuff in the keg is ready much earlier than the bottles - and it still makes me smile to be able to go to the larder and draw off a pint of my own brew!

[Reg]

Both.

[Hogarth]

Thanks! Well, I've just ordered a King Keg, so in addition to the hundreds of bottles I've collected over the years ... okay, months ... I'll have plenty of opportunity for 'taste testing.'

Although reading incapete's post, I've spotted the obvious snag to arranging a barrel vs bottle comparison...

[Barley Water]

I have no idea which tastes better (at least when you are talking about run of the mill beer). I usually keg most beers I make because I am lazy and kegging is easier. Also when drinking beer which has been bottled, it is much too easy to determine how much I have consumed and that is one of those things I just don't want to know.

I only bottle beer for a couple of reasons. One is to enter competitions. I usually just use a counter pressure bottle filler straight out of one of my kegs to do that (big pain in the butt). The other reason I bottle is to make beers that are highly carbonated. I have a couple of cases of Belgian bottles which can be corked and are set up to accept a wire cage. I use them for Saisons and some of the abby type brews. In this case I guess you could say that bottling adds to the taste since it is hard to effectively run a tap at really high pressure (and excessive carbonation does effect the flavor and mouthfeel).

[Vossy1]

For me bottled beer tastes sharper, and for me better, against it's barrelled counterpart.
If I could be a**ed bottling then this would be my way, but I can't, so it won't

[dartgod]

Both.

I agree......some beers benefit from bottle conditioning and other beers are fine right out of the keg or bottle......and that would be personal preference on those beers

[Horden Hillbilly]

Both for me as well. I tend to drink from the pressure barrel during the cooler months of the year & from bottles during the summer months after they have been chilled.

[SiHoltye]

Don't know the answer. Got more kegs for Christmas which means I can see the back of bottles, and to be honest I'm glad to. PITA. If you're OK bottling though it is lovely to crack with a fizz the cap off your own brew, and taking beer places is easier.

[AT]

I hate bottling, it takes to long but i do like my ale a little more from the bottle. Still as long as i suffer from lazyness i'll be happy to drink from the keg