We'll be doing brew 2 on Saturday ... as I've said earlier, we're using Brupaks Blackmoor Stout (provided Hop & Grape get it to me tomorrow, that is...)
When it comes to transferring it to the keg, should we simply prime with sugar, or is it better use dried malt extract? I've ordered some of that too...
Priming - with sugar?
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mysterio
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SteveD
Hi Stonch. Sugar is fine. Use 3oz (85g) for a 5 gal keg. I tend to use caster sugar, it dissolves quickly. If you use dry malt extract - light spraymalt is best - use double the ammount. It's pricey though, and needs careful handling as it's hygroscopic (soaks up atmospheric moisture). I'd just use sugar - it won't impact on flavour or body at all at that quantity.
Don't just add dry sugar to the cask but dissolve whatever priming you use in a little water in a pyrex jug, and boil it up for a minute or so in the microwave to sterilise it - or use a saucepan on the stove. Once it's cooled a little, add it to the empty sanitised cask. Then, when you rack the beer onto it, it will mix evenly.
Don't just add dry sugar to the cask but dissolve whatever priming you use in a little water in a pyrex jug, and boil it up for a minute or so in the microwave to sterilise it - or use a saucepan on the stove. Once it's cooled a little, add it to the empty sanitised cask. Then, when you rack the beer onto it, it will mix evenly.
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fivetide
Here's a tip - don't order JUST hops and sugar from Leyland or similar.
I got a loosely sealed brown paper package by courier, filled with a few baggiess of potent smelling green leaves, and some unmarked kilo bales of white powder...
I unpacked these and carried them through to my padlocked shed with silvered windows and flourescent lighting....
I got a loosely sealed brown paper package by courier, filled with a few baggiess of potent smelling green leaves, and some unmarked kilo bales of white powder...
I unpacked these and carried them through to my padlocked shed with silvered windows and flourescent lighting....
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Andy
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fivetide wrote:Here's a tip - don't order JUST hops and sugar from Leyland or similar.
I got a loosely sealed brown paper package by courier, filled with a few baggiess of potent smelling green leaves, and some unmarked kilo bales of white powder...
I unpacked these and carried them through to my padlocked shed with silvered windows and flourescent lighting....
Dan!
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PieOPah
I used to use normal sugar until I found the joy of glucose.
Since using it, I have found that I have a tighter head on my beer (although I can't seem to make it last any longer). I have also found that the pressure in kegs lasts much longer.
Most importantly, I find that there is A LOT less sediment. While not such an issue in a keg, this is fantastic when bottling - means less likely to get crud in your glass when you pour.... Also, less sediment means more beer
Since using it, I have found that I have a tighter head on my beer (although I can't seem to make it last any longer). I have also found that the pressure in kegs lasts much longer.
Most importantly, I find that there is A LOT less sediment. While not such an issue in a keg, this is fantastic when bottling - means less likely to get crud in your glass when you pour.... Also, less sediment means more beer
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Stonch
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fivetide
Yeah Stonch, start a shopping cart at Leyland or H&G or somewhere. Get the fivers' worth of sugar you need, then mooch about adding things you'd like reeeaally if you could convince yourself, like a kit or two, maybe a selection of yeasts and hops, some gallon fermenters for Turbo Cider, another cheap pressure barrel, oh maybe another bucket, some spare spray malt, a tub of Yeast-Vit just in case etc... until you get over the free delivery limit of £60 or whatver it may be.
Bingo! Your sugar turns up in a big box full of goodies, and covers up the credit card bill on the doormat, so it doesn't count, hurrah!
Bingo! Your sugar turns up in a big box full of goodies, and covers up the credit card bill on the doormat, so it doesn't count, hurrah!
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Stonch