Micro-Brewery Kits

[Tufty]

Has anybody used these Micro-brewery kits? I think the idea is that everything is brewed in a pressure barrel, left to ferment and then tapped from the barrel when it's ready to drink.

I saw them in a local shop and was just wondering if it was worth buying one. I live in a smallish flat so anything that can save a bit of space is a bonus - but I thought I'd ask here before taking it further.

[bitter_dave]

Glad you asked Tufty, as this topic has come up before. Most people conduct the main fermentation in a fermenting bin, then transfer the beer to a barrel leaving the dead yeast matter behind in the bin. The trouble with doing all the fermentation in the barrel is that the beer sits on the dead yeast the whole time, which may lead to off flavours.

If you decide to buy the microbrewery kit, it is advisable to also get a fermenting bin as well. I'm not entirely sure what you get with the micro brewery kit, but you will probably also need to get a syphon tube as well to get the beer from the bin into the barrel without mixing it with oxygen.

[Tufty]

Thanks for the info, Bitter Dave.

I must admit that I wasn't too keen on the 'all in one' approach. I asked the chap in the shop and he said it was a brilliant idea - and he would at £60 a time! The tap was at the top of the barrel as well but he said that the pressure would build up while it was fermenting and allow the beer to flow. If the pressure dropped, then simply inject gas.

The kit came with 2 cans of extract and the barrel, that was all.

Would make it difficult to get hydrometer readings as each time you took off the top, the preesure would go and you'd be left with flat ale.

I think I'll stick with my two fermenting bins for the time being unless anybody else suggests different.

Cheers

[bitter_dave]

I think I'll stick with my two fermenting bins for the time being unless anybody else suggests different.

If you are bottling at the moment why not get a budget barrel for about £25? Sounds like you have all the other equipment anyway, and budget barrels work very well in my experience

[Tufty]

Sounds a good idea. I usally bottle in 2 litre PET bottles (easier to take to BBQs and things) but it would be useful to have a barrel at home as well and fill 'take away' bottles from it.

Bottling Cider this afternoon...and some wine.

I haven't brewed much since student days, about 25 years ago, and it's interesting to see how things have changed from the cheap 'Boots' kits that were around then.

Thanks for the advice

[bettyswallocks]

Basic barrels are fine. Wouldn't waste my money on king kegs especially the top tap ones. Some home brew shops have 2nd hand basic barrels on sale for a tenner, and if your not happy with it, most of the shops will take it back.
cheers

[Tufty]

Basic barrels are fine. Wouldn't waste my money on king kegs especially the top tap ones. Some home brew shops have 2nd hand basic barrels on sale for a tenner, and if your not happy with it, most of the shops will take it back.
cheers

Thanks. Looks like I was right to follow my instincts.

As for "if your not happy with it, most of the shops will take it back.", you ain't met the chap in my local homebrew shop. Victor Meldrew is mild by comparison