Bottle or Keg

[macleanb]

Hi Guys

Whislt I have been on my hols my "Bens ABA" has been sitting in secondary for 3 weeks now. This was a high 50's brew, with plenty of dextrins (high mash, lots of cara). And has been sitting on whisk/bourbon soaked oak chips and a good couple of oz of cascade.

I have to say it was a bit on the bitter/resinous side before I left, and the whisky/bourbon flavours were very distinct and raw. However, 3 weeks has had a marvellous effect, and all the flavours have integrated and mellowed nicely. Whilst its not some 1060/1070 (or more) monster, this beer still has definate punch and depth and I think will benenfit from extended aging.

Now I have two cornies free, but I am thinking that maybe bottling is the way to go, particularly as I reckon this might age very nicely (if I can get another brew in before I drink it all).

Its as clear as glass (brown glass) so would need to krausen it to bottle it.

Any of you guys care to comment on when bottling is better.

I just have this feeling that all the big beers I have consumed comes in bottles.

Anyway any pearl of wisdom greatfuly received.

[maxashton]

You can bottle it if you like, but I don't see any reason why this brew wouldn't keg well. Presuming you don't guzzle the lot.

Bottling imo is best for lagers and blond ales.

[mysterio]

I think you would learn a lot from bottling half and kegging the other half, and seeing for yourself if there's any difference. I would be wary of anyone who claims one or the other is better, or that they're both the same (and you'll get plenty of folk claiming either on HB boards) - chances are they havent done it side by side with the same batch.

Is it a 10 gallon batch? If so, bottling 10 gallons is a hell of a task. I would be tempted to keg the lot and bottle a few six packs from the keg with a beer gun/counter pressure filler. Presuming you dont filter or pasteurise, the beer will continue to age in the bottle.

Bottling imo is best for lagers and blond ales.

Why do you say that? I would tend to go the other way and say kegging is perfect for lagers.

[agentgonzo]

I bottle all my high gravity beers for the simple fact that I don't want to be drinking 6-7% beer every day and don't want to risk losing some of the beer if it's not drunk in the required time (I cask all my beers and condition naturally. If there's not enough pressure to get all the beer out, I simply open the top and gravity-serve the brew). Plus, with high gravity beer in a cask you run the risk of not knowing how much you've been drinking and having that ungainly collision with the floor/doorframe/hedge.

[maxashton]

Why do you say that? I would tend to go the other way and say kegging is perfect for lagers.

Most homebrewers don't have Corny kegs. They've only got KKTT's or BB's. Neither have sufficient pressure capability to properly carbonate lager.

Or so I was always told...

[mysterio]

Ah - I was thinking about cornies. I kegged a bohemian pilsner in a budget barrel before I discovered online forums - waste.

[maxashton]

Yeah. Works for blond/summer ales OK, but you just can't get the PSI in a cheapy keg.

[macleanb]

Its only a 5 gal batch, and I have cornies - think 2.5 gals in a cornie will be alright if I purge good and proper first - I think half and half is a great idea....

[pantsmachine]

Which yeast are you using for bottling, is it the orignal yeast from the batch itself? I ask as i will be needing to use fresh yeast on a brew i have planned since the yeast will be knackered after fermentation. Good luck with the bottling.

[coatesg]

Yeah. Works for blond/summer ales OK, but you just can't get the PSI in a cheapy keg.

Absolutely - I struggle to get any PSI in my keg - I'm on my third keg top already as they keep splitting - and not really over carbonating either - one split after I just moved the keg (probably moved some CO2 out of solution).

At this rate it'll be cheaper to buy Cornis...

[maxashton]

It's always cheaper to buy cornies in the long run

[hoppingMad]

Its as clear as glass (brown glass) so would need to krausen it to bottle it.

How bout bottling one bottle first without krausening, as a test ? I think you will find there's enough yeast for carbonation.

[Barley Water]

I agree that it is probably a good idea to bottle the high gravity stuff and keg the quaffing brews. Over here, all the seriously addicted homebrewers use corni kegs, they are really great. I have several 5 gallon kegs but I also have a couple of 3 gallon kegs and I really like those. I frequently let my 5 gallon kegs run down about half way then jump the remaing contents to one of the 3 gallon kegs. I have also found that the 3 gallon kegs are just right to take to parties and they are easier to carry.

I think botttles work better for really highly carbonated beers (like saisons for example) and also high gravity brews. It's just too easy to over serve yourself drinking high octane stuff from a tap.