Serving pressure after natural carbonation

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by HOPTOMIC_BOMB, Dec 27, 2019.

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  1. HOPTOMIC_BOMB

    HOPTOMIC_BOMB Savant (1,044) Feb 18, 2014 California
    Trader

    Hi fellas, I have a question hopefully one of you can answer. I have a beer naturally carbing in a 1 gallon mini keg,( I have a mini regulator and tap with co2 cartridges that’d I’d like preserve for just serving so bare with me I know force carbing is faster) I used the calculated sugar on beersmith and I have it set at 68F to get 2.3 volumes of co2.

    the question is what psi do I serve it at to maintain the same co2 volume of 2.3 if I wanna chill it down and serve it at about 50 degrees. I’m assuming the same suggested psi that I would have to use if I forced carbed? Also do I have to attach the co2 while it’s chilling to 50 degrees or only at the time of serving?

    thanks again and happy holidays.
     
    #1 HOPTOMIC_BOMB, Dec 27, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2019
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Yes. But make sure you use the PSI that corresponds to the temperature you'll be maintaining the beer at. Not the crazy high setting you would have needed to get 2.3 volumes at 68F.

    No. If the beer is already carbonated to 2.3 volumes, it will stay that way, assuming no leaks in your mini keg.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Dec 27, 2019
  3. invertalon

    invertalon Pooh-Bah (2,249) Jan 27, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    At 50F at 2.3 volumes, you want to put your beer on 15psi of gas pressure. I'd just place the beer into the fridge or whatever, give it a day, then connect your CO2.
     
    #3 invertalon, Dec 27, 2019
  4. HOPTOMIC_BOMB

    HOPTOMIC_BOMB Savant (1,044) Feb 18, 2014 California
    Trader

    thanks a lot guys, been researching this for days, couldn’t find any answers til now.

    last question, I’ve never naturally carbed before, so i guess it’s a dumb question but how do I know it worked? The mini keg just has a screw top lid with a pressure relief. When I open it am I just supposed to see some bubbles on top?
     
    #4 HOPTOMIC_BOMB, Dec 27, 2019
  5. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    You'll know the way you'd know any beer is carbonated, i.e. by the way it initially foams up when poured, by the bubbles moving toward the surface, and by the mouthfeel.

    But just as you can't tell just by looking at a capped bottle, you won't be able to tell with your mini-keg, unless you attach a pressure gauge to it.

    You might be able to get an idea by the "hiss" you get when opening the lid (similar to popping a bottle cap), but I'm not too sure how telling that will be with a screw top.

    Edit: I don't know how your mini-regulator is designed, but it's possible that it will show you the pressure of the keg when the gas is not on.
     
    #5 VikeMan, Dec 27, 2019
  6. HOPTOMIC_BOMB

    HOPTOMIC_BOMB Savant (1,044) Feb 18, 2014 California
    Trader

    Okay, will be vigilant and take notes. Thanks a bunch man really appreciate it, will be 2 weeks next Friday so I’ll report back see if it worked.
     
    #6 HOPTOMIC_BOMB, Dec 27, 2019
  7. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I think you are going to find that serving beer at 50F does not work very well. Even if you use the chart and maintain the correct pressure. 50 is just too high to dispense beer. It will foam.

    If you plan to be be pushing with 15 psi you should install adequate choker, around 10 feet, depending on the type of line.

    Cheers
     
    #7 billandsuz, Dec 27, 2019
    PortLargo likes this.
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