Pressure barrel tap problem

[Fil]

there are priming charge calculators you can find with google, they take the temp of the beer into account as it dictates the level of co2 already in suspension.

but tbh 60-70g sounds about right and would probably work well

[adamzworld]

As it was nice and old last night, I decided to change the tap over early this morning. I did as instructed and tipped the barrel on it's side, unscrewed tap and added around 70g of brewing sugar (liquid form). There wasn't much of a hiss when I unscrewed the tap from the barrel, so I think I definitely made the right decision to change the tap as the beer was going flat. Once the new tap was fitted, I then gave it a blast of C02 and it seems to be holding pressure fine now with no leaks. I'll leave it a couple more weeks to condition and then let everyone know how it turns out.

Incidentally, I was looking at pressure barrel taps online earlier and came across these:

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... syQsY3cucg

Has anyone used these on their barrels and I wonder if they'd be a bit more robust than the regular plastic taps? It's hard to tell from the photo, but they appear to be stainless steel, rather than plastic, but I might be wrong.

[rpt]

Looks like plastic to me. I can't believe they could be stainless at that price.

[adamzworld]

Looks like plastic to me. I can't believe they could be stainless at that price.

You're probably right, seems a bit too cheap if it was all stainless. Maybe its just the lever part that's metal.

[Fil]

the dalex style black plastic font taps are the best upgrade for a pb im aware of, not done it myself but ive read great reviews by those that have done it.

you will need to fit a reducing bush into the pb to allow the fixing of the 1/2" tap thread.

[adamzworld]

Thanks Fil, prob worth trying one for 12 quid!

http://www.bar-and-cellar-solutions.co. ... _product=4

Will just need to figure where to get reducing bush from. I guess John Guest might do one.

[Fil]

bes.co.uk for a SS one but pnp might be cheaper from ebay?? screwfix or a plumbers merchant for a brass one.. and UK over the counter plumbing brass is lead free now..

you just need to confirm the barrel thread and you have the old tap for reference

I think its a 3/4" bsp thread but ??? check it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_S ... read_sizes
google threw up a few options..

www.colglo.co.uk/product.php?product=POLY1924
or
http://www.nero.co.uk/Catalogue/150LB-B ... ucing-Bush
or
http://www.screwfix.com/p/brass-bush-x/98427

[adamzworld]

Cheers Fil the links are really helpful. I think the existing tap thread is 26 or 27mm, so I'm sure one of the plumbing adapter / reducer fittings would work well with the Dalex tap. I guess it would be worth wrapping a bit of PTFE tape around the thread just to ensure there are no leaks.

I feel some pressure barrel modification is now called for!

[Fil]

well checking the thread table linked to 26.4mm is the OD of a 3/4" bsp thread, so a quick test thread of a 3/4" lock nut up your dead tap shank will validate the thread as 3/4" bsp or not

yes ptfe would be a good idea, when it comes to aligning the tap may i suggest you screw it in and count the revolutions needed to screw it in regardless of orientation, Then wrap the tap shank with a healthy ptfe length and screw in your count-1 revelotions before aligning the tap to point down. when using ptfe it can get cut between the threads as you tighten and unscrewing just a little can kil any seal you have made so screw upto the aligned position and no more.

[adamzworld]

Further to my post on 23rd Feb, I sampled the beer tonight and whilst it has definitely carbed up and retains a head very well, it tastes pretty fowl! Its a Wilko Golden Ale kit with 500g of beer kit enhancer and then dry hopped with 50g of citra hops. I can try leaving it a bit longer, but I'm not sure if its maybe a lost cause. If I've added the BKE and hops then would it usually take much longer to condition? I have done this kit before but brewed it pretty much to the instructions. Perhaps someone can offer me words of reassurance before I pour the whole lot away and start again!

[adamzworld]

To add to my comments above, I'd say the taste is sweet but then with a harsh bitter aftertaste. Its not looking very promising! Shame if I do have to bin it as this was the first kit where I've experimented with dry hopping. Perhaps my mistake was to add the BKE as maybe there wasn't enough yeast to eat up all that extra sugar!

[Nitro Jim]

Have you used Citra hops before? They are not to my liking but my wife does... but I am the brewer!

[adamzworld]

Hi Jim, I've not used Citra hops before, but I do like a drop of Oakham Citra and Ghost Ship, so I am familiar with how it should taste. Funnily enough my wife likes Citra flavouring as well, but I don't think she'll be a fan of my latest brew! My attempt just seems to have a really sour aftertaste. Its very tangy and I don't think it can still be green as its been conditioning for a while. I guess the only thing I can try is leave it out in the shed for a couple more weeks and hope the cold takes away some of the off flavours.

[Nitro Jim]

Leaving it for a while isn't going to cost you anything other than patience.

[adamzworld]

Leaving it for a while isn't going to cost you anything other than patience.

Very true Jim. Don't they say "patience is a brewers best friend"?! I shall move it to the shed and keep my fingers crossed that it improves with time.