Second Fermentation in a Carny Keg

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by bbarnumboy, Mar 30, 2012.

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  1. bbarnumboy

    bbarnumboy Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2009 Washington

    I have read where people use kegs to do their second fermentation on an aged beer. Such as aging a sour for 12+ months. Is there anything wrong with this? seems like a secure way to not let oxygen into the beer. Only thing I wonder about is the pressure.

    The kegs can handle tons of pressure, but is it not ideal to build pressure on brewing beer? it always has the relief valve if you want to release some pressure.

    Any thought on this? It is a good way to keep the light out of your beer.
     
    #1 bbarnumboy, Mar 30, 2012
  2. Naugled

    Naugled Pooh-Bah (1,944) Sep 25, 2007 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    I do this for long term aging and fermenting. If it's going to ferment I'll leave the pressure relief open and cover it with a small sanitized jar upside down. If pressurized I'll just check on it occasionally to make sure it has maintained pressure or bleed if it has built up pressure.

    I've never exploded a keg but I have seen it happen. A friend of mine split one open from pressure building. Luckily it was inside a fridge so it contained much of the mess.
     
    #2 Naugled, Mar 30, 2012
  3. bbarnumboy

    bbarnumboy Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2009 Washington

    Wow, Fermenting is some serious Business, to bust a keg. Maybe i will just stick to a glass carboy with a blow off. Less work checking on it to see how the pressure is.
     
    #3 bbarnumboy, Mar 30, 2012
  4. mnstorm99

    mnstorm99 Initiate (0) May 11, 2007 Minnesota

    I think your fine, especially for a secondary. I am assuming the exploded keg was from primary fermentation without any type of opening. Corny kegs can handle like 100-120 psi...can't remember exactly.
     
    #4 mnstorm99, Mar 30, 2012
  5. mnstorm99

    mnstorm99 Initiate (0) May 11, 2007 Minnesota

    I have also thought of converting one of my corny kegs into a fermenter for sour ales, since I don't like glass and wouldn't want to use plastic for the bacteria reason.

    It is easy enough to remove the pressure release valve and attatch a blow off tube as well.
     
    #5 mnstorm99, Mar 30, 2012
  6. bbarnumboy

    bbarnumboy Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2009 Washington

    Why do you not like Glass? I like to be able to see the beer without exposing it to oxygen. only downside i guess would be the light issue.
     
    #6 bbarnumboy, Mar 30, 2012
  7. mnstorm99

    mnstorm99 Initiate (0) May 11, 2007 Minnesota

    http://mnbeer.com/2012/02/29/handy-andy-benefit-homebrew-label-comp-at-harriet-brewing/
    This is the reason, Better Bottles are plastic carboys you can see through. Ill talk to Andy soon about it as he just joined our homebrew club. I have heard worse stories, this is the first time it was someone I knew.

    The novelty of seeing my homebrew ferment wore off after a while, so now I am back to using buckets. Cheaper, easier to clean and easier to carry.
     
    #7 mnstorm99, Mar 30, 2012
    originalgoat likes this.
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