Woodforde's Great Eastern - little pressure in keg

[DSB]

After carefully following all the instructions, getting a stuck fermentation, getting it down to SG2014 by adding more yeast and yeast nutrient, I kegged (using brewing sugar) and left to condition for 6 days before moving to the cold conservatory (switched the radiator off, just for the beer). Two days into the conservatory and I just couldn't resist taking off a small sample in the bottom of a wine glass. It wouldn't fill more than a third of a glass before the pressure went. The beer was not 'flat' as such and produced a nice gentle 'fizz' on the tongue and a head, but there was just not enough gas to empty any more into the wine glass. I am using a new rotokeg and did use petroleum jelly on the band in the cap.

Any comments, or advice. Am I being really impatient and should I not expect much pressure at this stage? Is it possibly too cold in the conservatory and do I need to put the heating back on? I would have not suspected the rotokeg as it is new and I have been *very* careful. Should I put gas in it now or leave it for another couple of weeks before I do anything.

This is my first brew and it would be a shame if it went really wrong. I really would appreciate any advice.

[Lillywhite]

Is it possibly too cold in the conservatory and do I need to put the heating back on? .

With all the exposed glass in a conservatory with very low temperatures day and night it's far too cold for a real ale.

You need to move it back in the warmer environment for a few days to let the pressure build-up in the keg and then move it to a temperature in the range 12-14C for the conditioning stage. A spare bedroom with the heating turned off would be ideal for this type of beer.

[Scotty]

I have my kegs in the conservatory (much to SWMBO's displeasure) and find I have no problems with pressure. I also keep them wrapped up.

[DSB]

Thanks for the info. I read somewhere on here that someone left it outside and in garden shed for conditioning, but perhaps that was not in the U.K. where we'vehad the heaviest snow for a few years. I've now brought it back in the main part of the house to see if I can get some pressure back. Do you think I have spoilt it, or might it recover?

Thanks once more for the advice.

[Lillywhite]

Do you think I have spoilt it, or might it recover?

It should recover OK and I assume you have checked that your keg is not leaking?

As for ideal conditioning temperature, remember that commercial pub cellars target a temperature range 10-13C so anywhere close to this is ideal for storing real ale.

Lagers can be stored a lot colder but have a tendency to develop chill haze at these lower temperatures.

[DSB]

Thanks for all your help. No doubt time will tell.

Best wishes