I am entering my quad that I did in a comp next month in Orlando called the commander saaz homebrew blastoff. Heck why not. I just wanna get some criticism on my beer. Only costed 7 bucks to register and print labels. I just have to drop em off at Southern Brewing and they send em for me. Anyways, long question is, I don't bottle anymore and keg. I do at times, pour from my keg into bottles and most times the beers still have carbonation after a couple weeks. after 4 weeks. none. Besides the gadgets like the counter pressure fillers and beer guns what methods do you use if you do it the way I do it. My only trick is capping on foam. I keep the beer flowing til zero oxygen is in the headspace in the bottle. It does work but is there other ways or tricks you guys use?
I pretty much only bottle for competitions, and have a beer gun now (which I like a lot). But before I got it I used a broken racking cane on a picnic tap as detailed here: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/we-no-need-no-stinking-beer-gun-24678/ That worked pretty well, although higher carbonated beers were harder as the CO2 always seems to break out at least somewhat. Things that help are having the beer, equipment and bottles as cold as possible when you start. Good luck!
This is a tough one . . . tried it several ways and always ended up crying over the spilt beer. Probably the best way is to cut some tubing that fits over your faucet and extends to bottom of bottle (fill your bottle from the bottom) and have your bottles ice cold (colder if possible). You will still have foam . . . the only way to fill a bottle is to let the foam continue to overflow until the liquid rises to the proper level (here's where the tears are involved). Results were shaky: poor fills and reduced carbonation. But once you cap the carb level shouldn't go down anymore. I would borrow a beer gun. I am entering three beers in Commander Saaz (IPA/Saison/Blond) . . . also check out flbrewcircuit.org . . . shows all the Florida comps. I find the scoresheets valuable.
Not sure what to make of that. The only way that can happen is if the caps are defective (where does the CO2 go after 4 weeks?) That said, I used to do the drilled stopper thing similar to any number of the YouTube videos, but I had oxidation problems. I bought a Blichmann Beer Gun a while ago and haven't looked back. It seems like a lot of money, but it's well worth it, IMO.
I’m interpreting what you’re saying, based on the way it’s written, that you’re filling bottles off the tap the same way you would pour into a serving glass. This method would be certain to release all that carbonation you’re lacking down the road. I can only reiterate what’s already been said: preferably start with a cold bottle; there is science behind the cold temperature retaining CO2. Next is the Beer Gun (which I have and like). Two other methods, that I personally have not used but have read on BeerAdvocate that they work, are (as you mentioned) a counter-pressure filler, or tubing (commonly used for growler fills). Fill from the bottom.
. . . forgot the most important tidbit: reduce your keg pressure. If using a short tube I would lower keg to ~2'ish psi to minimize foam from transferring. Of course the beer is now off-gassing so have everything ready in advance and work fast . . . if the phone rings don't answer it till the last cap is on.
This. The situation described by the OP is an odd one: unless you're not capping the bottles correctly, the beer should retain its carbonation in the bottle. But more to the point, if you're going to be involved in competitions you almost have to get a beer gun. Other methods are going to result in at least some introduction of oxygen, and the beer isn't going to be at its best by the time it's been shipped to the competition and stored for a few weeks. The stopper method will help retain carbonation but unless you're purging the bottles before you fill them, you will have some oxidation. The beer gun offers a relatively easy way to purge the bottles and retain carbonation.
I am definitely going to get one of them beer guns for sure. I can afford it. If I am going to be sending my beer off to people,comps,friends. I would like to know that the beer from my keg poured into the bottle will not be going flat. Thats for sure. It's time to quit being cheap and do it. I got other awesome beer equipment, why not get a great product to pour from the keg to bottles. Thanks for all the input you guys. Really cool read!
Yes, beer gun for sure. If you are looking to save a few bucks, skip the prepacked accessory kit and piece that together yourself.
Indeed! After hacking up and struggling with the overpriced accessory kit to make it work with my setup, I tossed it in favor of a liquid Corny connector, a QD on one of the gas lines, and a few feet of suitable tubing.
