Help, novice brewed flat, cloudy beer!

[rupert]

I am new to homebrewing but was given old fermenting buckets and a big old Boots pressure barrel with a CO2 cylinder. So, I bought a kit, followed instructions to the letter and have been eagerly waiting for my first homemade pint. It has been in the cellar for 2 weeks by which time the kit said it should have cleared. I tried it last night and although smells, tastes like beer (although quite rough) it is flat and cloudy. Is it ruined? Anything I can do to help it? As it is an old barrel I wondered if the seal is ok, and if it isn't, is there anything I can do about it now?
Many thanks for any suggestions.

[Mogwyth]

First up what are you brewing, second you did prime and condition it in the warm for a week or so first.

[floydmeddler]

Did you add priming sugar to the barrel?

[rupert]

I am brewing a lager from Muntons, and mixed it all in a big bucket with yeast and left in at room temperature for 5 days. I then siphoned it into the barrel with extra sugar and left in room temp for 3 days before putting it in the cellar, where it has been for a fortnight now. I think I followed all the instructions but it hasnt turned out as expected.

[Lillywhite]

where it has been for a fortnight now. I think I followed all the instructions but it hasnt turned out as expected.

The kit instructions are far too optimistic about the beer being ready to drink in 2 weeks.
I would suggest at least 6 weeks before the beer will be clear, matured and ready to drink.

[Normski]

Hi rupert

Did you use a hydrometer to take any readings of the gravity. To see when it is ready to put in the keg with sugar to prime.
If this was all ok. Then my 1st guess is that you do not have a sealed presure keg, it may have a leaking washer or tap. some of the older boots type kegs need to have the tap turned at right angles to the keg and not turned fully to the end stop. Use vaseline on the treads of the lid. If it's an old keg you may be best to replace all of the washers. then re-prime and keep in the warm for a few days. then see if it's holding the presure.

[floydmeddler]

You could always transfer it to bottles. Sainsbury's do 500ml green plastic bottles (their sparkling spring water) which I use for my secret stash brews. Will cost you around £10 which is a bargain since they can be used over and over and over and over...

[rupert]

I have an inkling that it may be the seal on the barrel and I didn't grease the thread of the lid. If you think I should add sugar and put back into warm for couple of days to try again with a properly sealed lid then that is what I shall do.
Many thanks for all your help

[floydmeddler]

Would still bottle a few though just in case it doesn't work!

Keep us posted!