A Kegging Question.

[Benson_JV]

Up until now both me and my forefathers have used bottles.
My neighbor a few years ago gave us a keg though, and im wondering whether this will be suitable for coopers stout. (I'm guessing Ditch'll be here first )

It looks like ye general 5 gallon keg, doesnt look as though theres anywhere to insert a C02 cartridge though, although it does have a little....thing on top, but i think thats the release valve. Due to the fact it doesnt have anywhere to insert anything, im not sure on it at all, its quite old as well, i still have to check the seals.

Pictures below.

Many Thanks!

[boingy]

Yep, you are correct. That is a relief valve and there is no injector on the cap. You can add an injector to your existing cap or you could buy a new cap with a suitable valve (I think a standard 2" cap will fit that barrel). You will be able to replace any dodgy seals for not much dosh.

Loads of places stock suitable bits. Here is one:

http://www.hopandgrape.co.uk/catalog/ca ... no=1#items

[Benson_JV]

Okay guys, thanks! So i definitely need a injecter? I cant just prime normally with sugar and go about it like that?

As for the fingernails, i've been a "metal-head" longer than an ale drinker really, so the nails stay

[Benson_JV]

Okay, thanks chris! I will discuss it with the elder, and decide upon raiding somerfield for their cheap bottles, or kegging

[Ditch]

My neighbor a few years ago gave us a keg though, and im wondering whether this will be suitable for coopers stout.

Benson; That's the Exact same " Basic " kegs I use for my own Coopers! Ye really don't need anything else! Only, yeppers, I buy mine in complete with S30 valve fitted lids. Ready to take a standard bomb of CO2, as Boingy and Chris have already pointed ye to, above.

Here, take a look at how I've just explained my method to Davy: Click.

Slap a new cap on it. Grease those seals. Pressure test it and away ye go. All set up to produce Coopers Stout the way Ditch does

[KevP]

At the risk of hijacking this thread (apologies in advance) I am curious Ditch, do you drink any other brew apart from ye Coopers Stout? I know you're their biggest fan but just curious if you drink anything else (Guinness aside)

[Benson_JV]

Okay thanks Ditch
So i'll need to get a new lid with a S30 fitted. Damn, that'll put the stout making on hold a bit.

[Lillywhite]

Okay thanks Ditch
So i'll need to get a new lid with a S30 fitted.

Good price from these people and free postage.

http://www.beer-kits.co.uk/fullpage.asp ... P000009154

[Benson_JV]

Thankye

[MikeG]

... you may have to release some to prevent the beer coming out with too much force.

That seems a shame; I use a jug for the first few pints so that the glass isn't full of froth and I don't have so many trips to the cellar!

[Ditch]

Kev P; Truth to tell, mate? I'm a bit weird. I'm very, very basic in my requirements. I've eaten the exact same dinner, night in, night out, for Years. Then I might change and eat something else for some more years. I don't feel any need to change. I just enjoy it and so carry on. Maybe I just lack imagination?

Same with the kit brews. I tried a couple; Muntons Wherry and their London Porter. Both perfectly pleasant ~ if the Wherry was a bit sweet, and the Hydrometer bounced off both of them, as they stopped fermenting .....

But then I tried a Coopers Stout and that was It. It's simply all I could ask for in a pint and so I'll stick with that now. This is not to say I won't try 'Guest Ales' along the way. Ironically, one that's caught my eye is " Dark, Old Ale " ..... by Coopers!

[MikeG]

Mike, while that's an option i've used it does mean you loose carbonation and the beer gets warm over time.

The ideal solution (other than to use a breather and drink quickly) is to use a regulated pub gas supply. It's still necessary to bleed off the gas but you can leave it hooked up with 1 psi on the keg all evening then turn it up to 9 psi when you're done.

There is a universal barrel hose available for a few quid, a regulator can be purchased for 20-30 quid and pub gas can be bought for 17 quid or less. Total £50 quid but the gas will last for ages, maybe years. A worthwhile investment to serve a perfect pint and your beer will never go stale.

Thanks Chris. Do you know of likely suppliers for gas bits?

Believe you me the jugfull doesn't last long

[ethicalrich]

Hello guys, this is my first post, so if I ain't doing it right, please excuse me. I've recently started brewing from a kit, and have produced a keg of great beer; I've just had the first pint of my second keg, and it also was very good. However, I am concerned that the keg I have used for this new brew is so pressurised that the original plastic shape of it is swelling. Not so much that it won't stand up (or explodes!), but the base and top are bulging more than the first brew I did. The pint of beer I poured from it (at high pressure) was great. Is it normal for the plastic keg's shape to distort? Thanks...

[Ditch]

I've never had a keg distort. Is it what we call a " Basic Keg ". Plastic 'Barrel' look? If so, and assuming ye have the usual CO2 injection valve on the top; Just get something small and blunt - tip of a ball point pen should do it - and ease that under the little rubber band round the brass collar. Work it in and then gently pull it around the collar till it hisses like hell as some CO escapes.

Watch and see if the keg reverts to a more usual state. That should help ye relax and enjoy ye beer without fear.

Just be careful ye don't go too heavy handed and rip the band in half, else there will be tears before bedtime in your house!


Ah! Chris just beat me to it!

[Parva]

Or drink more, and quickly! A keg distorting is not normal and I really wouldn't want to wake up to find 40 pints of my best all over the kitchen walls and floor.