Minikegs - Priming like a cask

[hophit]

Quick question I hope someone could answer for me on minikegs.

I really like traditional bitter from the cask but don't enjoy it so much from a bottle. I normally don't brew this beer style but giving it a go and was hoping I could mimic the cask by using the 5l minikegs that I already have. I was thinking of just only very lightly secondary carbonating in the minikegs. Would that come close and/or how much sugar should I use per litre to get that effect?

Many thanks

[dmdrabble]

Hello,

I've used just 1 tablespoon of sugar in about 5 batches I've put in the 5l minikegs.
I personally think that the minikegs are quite well suited to real ale type beers.
I've put lagers, cider, ale and wheat beer in these kegs and while I got some initial bit of life, it soon subsided. I reckon the key is to cool them for a day and not shake them around too much before venting or opening the tap, to avoid too much foam.
I have one of those profi taps and need one CO2 cannister in the second week. I suppose it won't matter if using the bottom, gravity fed tap. I've normally polished off 5l by two weeks.

David.

[hophit]

Hi David

Thanks v helpful - did you use 1 tbsp per keg or per 5gals? I know that might seem like a timmy amount for 5 gals but I understadn cask ale should only be primed to 1 vol Co2

[dmdrabble]

Hello,

I've been using 1tbs per keg, but I must admit that I didn't do any maths.
There was a bit of life at first, but this soon died down. I think if you chill it and don't shake it about, then you won't get much fizz. I do prefer my beer with some life - I'm from up North.