returning to brewing - query on bottling

[pauljmuk]

Hi folks - been lurking on here a while since getting back into homebrewing after a long break.

I currently have 20litres on the go, made up of the following

1x Tom Caxton real ale kit malt
500g Muntons Beerkit Enhancer
250g Maltodextrin
250g Organic Dark Muscovado
A splodge of golden syrup

This is based on an old recipe I used to have

OG was about 1042, and it's now fermenting away nicely at 21 degrees using Muntons Gold yeast (couple of sachets)

I have a mix of PET bottles, and also some glass and a crown capper.

When I last made beer, it all went into PET. This time, I want to put about a third of my brew into glass for long term storage.

My question is this - can I bottle into plastic for the secondary fermentation, and then put some of that beer into glass for storage? The reason I ask, is I am worried about failures (blowing or cracking) in glass. Will doing what I suggest lose pressure too much?

My thinking is that the plastic storage for the secondary will at least mean it only goes to glass when i know it's right. It also avoids sediment in the glass?

Sorry if I sound like too much of a newbie. All help appreciated.

Cheers

Paul

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Give that glass bottles will hold more pressure than PETs I feel you're worrying un-necessarily. In theory you can re-bottle to get rid of the sediment by getting the beer (and everything it's going to come in contact with) really cold and decanting very carefully.

[pauljmuk]

Cheers - although I was told that the PET bottles could withstand massive pressures?

I'm happy to bottle some into PET, and some into glass straight away (in fact it's less hassle), but just wanted some more surety that that glass versions would be just right for storage.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Cheers - although I was told that the PET bottles could withstand massive pressures?

Possibly some can. They're certainly OK for proper beer as it doesn't need much carbonation. Not sure about yellow pi$$ water though.

[pauljmuk]

Yeah- not wanting this to be Eurofizz.... this is a dark ale I'm making.

Just worried about losing any sense of fizz if I then re-bottle.

[anomalous_result]

If you open the bottle and then pour it into another bottle, yes you will lose a lot of condition. Just leave the beer in the FV for 48 hours or so after fermentation has finished, this will drop a bit of yeast out so you won't get as much sediment in the bottom. Then prime and bottle as normal into the glass. As long as the glass is returnable and you don't ridiculously overprime it ought to be fine.

PET in the form of bottles can take huge amounts of pressure, something like 100psi, hence the popularity of bottle rockets.

[pauljmuk]

"so long as the glass is returnable"

Ahh. might be a problem there - I am planning on using bottles that I have drunk from from the supermarket - ie, bottles such as those that held old perculier, spitfire, jennings cumberland etc. These are not strictly returnable - will they not be strong enough?

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Ahh. might be a problem there - I am planning on using bottles that I have drunk from from the supermarket - ie, bottles such as those that held old perculier, spitfire, jennings cumberland etc. These are not strictly returnable - will they not be strong enough?

They'll be fine as IME the breweries tend to over-carbonate anyway. Some types of bottle don't cap very easily though from what I've read.

[pauljmuk]

Yea -I've read beers like those in Wychwood dont cap well. In fact if you look at those on the shelf in the shop you can see why - strange top to the bottle.

Will give mine a go - interestingly, just been in local shop - saw a bottle of Pedigree, and it has some blurb on the back saying bottle is made using 30% less glass. Worth avoiding I suppose. A shame, as I like Pedigree!

Back to original query - can't remember for the life of me where I read about decanting from plastic to glass for storage, but I did. Discussed it with local hB shop, and he warned against it on grounds of lack of body.

Think I'll go sensible route, wait for ferm to calm right down and steady, and accurately prime 50% plastic and 50% glass.