lots of co2 in my keg

BIGTRACTOR · Post by **BIGTRACTOR** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:53 pm

been drinking my coopers ipa for a week or so now, and very nice it is too. the only thing is that there has been a hell of a lot of gas in the keg (there is now, even when its 2 thirds empty) Its not really a problem - i've moved on from pouring it at a trickle, to turning the tap on full blast and waiting a minute or so for the foam to settle.

just wondered how you guys go about pouring from a gassy keg, or can you release some of the pressure? if so, how,

cheers

Wez · Post by **Wez** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 9:59 pm

Hi BT, i use king kegs and there is a pressure release rubber on the inlet valve, if you squeeze it it lets some gas out. What you using?

BIGTRACTOR · Post by **BIGTRACTOR** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:55 am

cheers guys.

i use king kegs, but i cant seem to release any pressure by squeezing the brown rubber? i've squeezed till y fingers hurt

Russ · Post by **Russ** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:21 am

Just had a go with mine. I couln't get any gas to come out either

Easier to loosen the top and release some pressure?

GeorgeXXIII · Post by **GeorgeXXIII** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:46 am

I use a budget barrel. Would I just have to open the top to release pressure?

Garth · Post by **Garth** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:54 am

depends whether you've got a s30 connection for gas insertion on the cap, that's where the brown rubber band is, it acts as a safety valve to stop over-gassing.

GeorgeXXIII · Post by **GeorgeXXIII** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:22 am

Aha...I've found the very thing you mean. Thanks

jogger321 · Post by **jogger321** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 1:15 pm

Believe me a lot of folk are jealous that you've got enough gas in your barrel..My problem is i never have enough!

EasyBrew · Post by **EasyBrew** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:20 pm

If you don't have a release valve on your cap, lay the barrel on its side so the tap is facing uppermost and slowly turn the tap for a second and that will release the pressure. Never loosen the lid or you will allow oxygen into the beer and it will oxidise.

Jogger there can be several reasons for not having sufficient pressure:
1. The lid is not done up tight enough.
2. The lid is not sufficiently airtight - vaseline around the thread is really good.
3. You have overtightened the lid - this can cause the barrel to warp slightly - it only needs to be hand tight plus about 1/4 turn.
4. You have used insufficient sugar (or whatever you use) to give a good secondary fermentation.
5. You have not allowed sufficient time for the secondary fermentation in a warm area - it really needs at least 7 days before clearing.
6. You need new washers on your barrel valves. This is one of the more common reasons.

For those of you that don't like to use CO2 in your barrels but find that your beer is not fresh enough, try putting in a handful of new oak shavings. The shavings contain a mild anti bacterial agent and also does not interfere with the flavour of your beer. Use chungy shavings - such as you would get from using a wood plane (don't use small chips they don't seem to have the same effect).

Russ · Post by **Russ** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:18 pm

Hi a couple of comments on Easybrew's suggestions which I found confusing

....
BT I believe is using a King Keg so....

They have floats

so to my understanding.....

If he lays it on it's back and opens the tap the float will still be below the beer and he'll get beer out of the tap not CO2, and wet feet

If he loosens the cap a little (briefly till the hissing slows) to reduce a the pressure, air shouldn't get in as there is already posative pressure (from CO2) in the barrel which will be vented. Even if it reaches atmospheric pressure inside the barrel Co2 is heavier than air so the air wont get in the barrel and the oxidation risk is still minimal.

or have I got it wrong?

......and if yer beers not 'fresh' enough drink faster

Cheers

BIGTRACTOR · Post by **BIGTRACTOR** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:21 pm

yeah, i am using a king keg, but surely even with a bottom tap, if i lay the keg on its back then all the sediment is gonna get mixed up in the beer ???

so i wouldnt be able to pour a decent pint anyway!

i have tried to pinch the brown rubber away from the hole, but i cant seem to do it. i'm scared if i dig my nails in too hard, i'll split the rubber completely.

reckon, turning the lid open very gradually is the best way. although i'm finding the pressure ok now i'm near the bottom of the barrel !!

Post by **Andy** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:29 pm

Personally I wouldn't lay the barrel down as that will just disturb the sediment and you'll get cloudy pints until it settles again. And I see nothing wrong with unscrewing the cap GENTLY to release CO2. I slowly and carefully undo the cap until I can hear the hiss of the gas escaping. After a few seconds (before the hissing stops) I tighten the cap again. No oxygen has got into the barrel as there's still positive pressure inside the barrel.

Russ · Post by **Russ** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:30 pm

Yeah sediment, hadn't even thought of that. I keg when its fallen bright and add C02 from a bottle so no a problem for me.......maybe the way to go in the future BT??

Enjoy the bottom of the barrel and get it filled up again ASAP!

Cheers

Post by **Andy** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:31 pm

BT - just follow DaaBs original suggestion above and you'll get perfect pints everytime.

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lots of co2 in my keg

lots of co2 in my keg