Uh Oh. Beer in pressure barrel is flat.

[JamesHughes]

Hello all.

I tried a half pint from my Coopers Bitter which has been conditioning for a week. It came out OK, tasted OK, but flow dropped off, then a big gurgle as air entered through the tap. Therefore, I assume its flat. Now this was a very vigorous ferment, kegged after one week, I also bottled a few. Now, I greased up the cap with vaseline, but I assume that the pressure is escaping somewhere, OR, there was no secondary ferment. I defo put some sugar in after the siphon in to the barrel, but didnt stir it in - was that a mistake? I could try one of the bottles to see if that has any fizz.

Any thoughts - can it be recovered?

If the pressure barrel is leaking pressure somewhere - how do I test it - whats the usual culprit? Its a Young's barrel from Wilkos.

Beer itself tasted OK, not great, a bit yeasty I thought, maybe a bit sweet, but it was completely clear.

James

[Ditch]

Bit of a pattern forming here. Clicky.

I wonder if there's a whole consignment of kegs with duff rubbers?

[JamesHughes]

Sounds like that guy is using a lid that can take an injector - this is the basic lid that comes with the barrel - just has a pressure release, but no means of injecting more CO2.

That said, some interesting points made on that thread that may be of use. Thanks.

I guess I could replace lid with CO2 injector, and pressurise the barrel.

[Lillywhite]

Any thoughts - can it be recovered?

If the pressure barrel is leaking pressure somewhere - how do I test it - whats the usual culprit? Its a Young's barrel from Wilkos.

These kegs are pretty reliable. I have three. Did you put a small bit of vaseline on the thread of the cap? Don't put any vaseline on the white flat rubber seal and don't over tighten, otherwise the seal can slip.

Undo the cap, check that the seal hasn't slipped put a touch more priming sugar in, seal and leave in the warm for a few days.

Check after 6-12 hours to see that it has sealed and pressure is building up by taking a very small sample via the tap. I will be very surprised if this doesn't rectify your problem.

[JamesHughes]

Ah, maybe that is where I went wrong - I put vaseline on the rubber ring, not the thread. Although I did the same on another barrel without any problems, although now I thin about it that was a CO2 injection style lid.

I'll slap a load more in, re-prime and see what happens!

[JamesHughes]

ps. How much sugar should go int (it about 18 litres)

[Lillywhite]

How much sugar should go int (it about 18 litres)

You shouldn't put in the full 85 grams again. I'd put in another 25 grams at this stage, after cleaning off any vaseline from the white flat seal in the cap.

If you had a cap with an S30 valve then I would have suggested gassing it up with some CO2.

Just screw up hand tight plus a nip. Don't go silly with it!

[JamesHughes]

Found the problem - the rubber seal had slipped inside the cap, and was slightly folded over - although I don't remember doing it up particularly tightly, I must have overdone it.

Anyway, a sniff of the vapours is very tingly so plenty of CO2 in there. Regreased, and replaced cap after adding 25g. In fact after only a few minutes the beer was squirting out nicely, so a very quick recovery. Bit of an after taste, perhaps because I used normal sugar and our water has quite a bit of chlorine. Both things I will deal with on the next ferment.

Anyway, thanks for all the answers everyone.

[Ditch]

Both things I will deal with on the next ferment.

That's what we like to hear, James! Just crash right on and get the next brew in!

[JamesHughes]

Just to finish off the thread, the advice given above has worked a treat. The barrel is now CO2tight, and the beer (Cooper Bitter)seems to be improving with each pint. If I could get a pint out of it - it's very foamy!

Thanks all.

James

[Lillywhite]

Just to finish off the thread, the advice given above has worked a treat.

Happy to be of service.

Onwards and upwards!

[Ditch]

If I could get a pint out of it - it's very foamy!

Just been talking about this, James. Have ye got a two pint jug in the house? If so, fill it with two pints of what ever gushes out. Then walk away. In due course ye should find a perfect pint sitting there in that jug, beneath a tall foam head.

Pour the liquid into a pint glass and refill the jug. Time ye've downed the first pint, the second will be waiting. Repeat as necessary

[Deneeve]

great thread guys,
tat's helped me with some problems i was having, cheers

[JamesHughes]

Just been talking about this, James. Have ye got a two pint jug in the house? If so, fill it with two pints of what ever gushes out. Then walk away. In due course ye should find a perfect pint sitting there in that jug, beneath a tall foam head.

Pour the liquid into a pint glass and refill the jug. Time ye've downed the first pint, the second will be waiting. Repeat as necessary

Good idea. I'll put a two pint stein on the Xmas list! *

James

* Then get one in the Xmas sales when it doesn't turn up!

[elphias]

dont want to start a new thread so thought id ask here, now its getting colder does this effect the co2 levels in a keg keep my cheepy keg out in the shed the seal and threads are lubed and not over tightened only getting about 4 pints out before have to give it a co2 nebule. The keg is onto its 5th brew changed the washer for a new one still getting the same prob any help would be appreciated