Blending already Kegged beer

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by MaryBaileyJO, Apr 3, 2017.

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  1. MaryBaileyJO

    MaryBaileyJO Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2017

    NewI have a question. We brewed a 10 gal batch that was similar to a pliney Clone recipe. It turned out way too bitter with the hops that we used. Would like to blend it with a tropical fruit pale ale. Here's the thing, the pale is 5gal and already kegged and carbonated. The 10 gallons of bitter IPA is due to come out of the fermenter and be kegged tomorrow. Anyone have any guidance on how to blend these two for a 15 gal batch that's a little more mellow? How will the carbonated beer play in to things? What do we risk by blending 10 gallons of flat uncarbonates beer with 5 gallons of carbonated beer? Any help is greatly appreciated!
     
    #1 MaryBaileyJO, Apr 3, 2017
  2. billandsuz

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

    Blending a bad beer with a good beer usually ends of ruining a good beer and producing a mediocre beer. At best.

    But if want to blend, so be it.
    Mix the two as you like. Since you are kegging you can control the vols. Apply pressure to the blend at temp, refer to your handy keg carbonation chart and done.

    Be sure you do not introduce oxygen when transferring! But, you have kegs and that is not a challenge.

    Cheers.
    Welcome to BA.

    Edit, also please do not ask the same question in multiple threads.
     
    #2 billandsuz, Apr 3, 2017
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  3. MaryBaileyJO

    MaryBaileyJO Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2017

    Thank you!
     
    #3 MaryBaileyJO, Apr 3, 2017
  4. FeDUBBELFIST

    FeDUBBELFIST Pooh-Bah (1,765) Oct 31, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I would wait to make a decision until you taste the bitter IPA cold and carbed up.
     
    #4 FeDUBBELFIST, Apr 3, 2017
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  5. scottakelly

    scottakelly Maven (1,487) May 9, 2007 Ohio

    I cannot agree more. IPAs always taste much more bitter to me out of primary than they do 2 weeks later and properly conditioned.
     
    #5 scottakelly, Apr 3, 2017
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  6. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    IMO, the best way to blend is in your pint glass. That way you can try different ratios. Maybe you like the two beers in a 2:1 ratio. Your buddy might like it 1:1. Your wife may love the bitter beer in all its glory. Your brother hates it. Every one can have it the way they like.

    Plus by experimenting this way you can fine tune how you might approach it next time you brew.
     
    #6 pweis909, Apr 4, 2017
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  7. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Yep, age the bitter IPA then blend both in a glass , if needed, and make notes as to the best percentages of each beer.
     
    #7 GormBrewhouse, Apr 4, 2017
  8. Yalc

    Yalc Zealot (501) Nov 5, 2011 Florida

    I did this with an overly oaked RIS. Used a scale to determine tare weight then to get volume of each keg. Once youknow that you can transfer liquid post to post and monitor volumes via weight.
     
    #8 Yalc, Apr 4, 2017
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  9. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,635) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Yes, I have done this.
     
    #9 hopfenunmaltz, Apr 4, 2017
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  10. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    +1 for blending as you serve. This is one of the underappreciated benefits of kegging.
     
    #10 mikehartigan, Apr 5, 2017
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  11. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,552) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I'm going to echo others. Keg the IPA, carbonate it, leave it for a week or 2 to drop all the hop matter and yeast (that is bound up with hop matter) out of suspension. The beer will more than likely be less bitter, or at least less harsh. Blend from the tap. If you really enjoy a certain ratio from the tap and want to blend a keg, then combine the beers in a new empty keg by weight via jumping from liquid to liquid.
     
    #11 jbakajust1, Apr 5, 2017
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  12. MaryBaileyJO

    MaryBaileyJO Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2017

    Couldn't be more grateful for everyone's responses and advice! Took the advice and didn't blend. The IPA conditioned nicely and once ice cold and carbed it was a delicious refreshing hopsmack in the face. Passionfruit Pale remained mellow and flavorful. We served at the international centennial soccer tournament and though I loved it blended from the tap, each type of person that came by took to their usual preference and enjoyed either style by its self. Thanks for setting me straigh!
     
    #12 MaryBaileyJO, Apr 13, 2017
    jbakajust1, FeDUBBELFIST and frozyn like this.
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