Good to see some forum democracy at work to keep a good post from disappearing :Y:
So my 14yr old kid is trying her first Home Brew....
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I have been brewing my own beer for years, but bottling was such a time consuming procedure. These days I don't bottle any more but put it into 50ltr kegs. Two fermenters make one keg, and I can experiment with different blends. I bought a small fridge that just fits a keg perfectly for $25 on Ebay, drilled a hole in the door for the tap and another in the side for the gas. After the fermenters have finished bubbling I wait a week or so for the beer to settle and clear, and then siphon into the keg. There is no need to add sugar to gas as this is accomplished by using co2. When the beer has been siphoned into the keg, I place it in the fridge and turn the gas on. Because there is 48ltrs in the keg rather than 50, there is a larger surface area at the top of the keg which allows the gas to permeate the beer to a nice sparkle in about 3 or 4 days when it is ready for tasting. Because there is no need to add sugar for extra fermentation to obtain gassing, the brew is ready to drink with full mature flavor in a few days rather than weeks.
To set this system up requires a regulator, gas bottle, tap, and a few meters of line, (the shorter the better.) and of course a second hand fridge. (easy come by)
Commercial kegs are set up with a ball valve to seal the keg (and to prevent refilling) but there is a dead simple method of getting around this without anything as complicated as removing that valve. I shall reveal my secret of how to do this to anyone who is interested in doing their own kegs.
No way would I ever go back to bottling. What a hassle.
PS After getting the gas to a good effervescence where it has enough head, I turn the gas off. When the flow rate drops I turn it on again for about 5 seconds. This stops the beer from becoming too heady, and therefore waste. (I hate waste) It also makes the gas last longer.
To set this system up requires a regulator, gas bottle, tap, and a few meters of line, (the shorter the better.) and of course a second hand fridge. (easy come by)
Commercial kegs are set up with a ball valve to seal the keg (and to prevent refilling) but there is a dead simple method of getting around this without anything as complicated as removing that valve. I shall reveal my secret of how to do this to anyone who is interested in doing their own kegs.
No way would I ever go back to bottling. What a hassle.
PS After getting the gas to a good effervescence where it has enough head, I turn the gas off. When the flow rate drops I turn it on again for about 5 seconds. This stops the beer from becoming too heady, and therefore waste. (I hate waste) It also makes the gas last longer.
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Top post Reg !! :Y:
Jack
Jack
And it has a top taste Outback :beer: 
Democracy at work.
Used to home brew for many years, ran two fermenters constantly for many years, 60 stubbies per brew, we kept a floating stock of a 110 dozen,(55 cartons) maturing, nothing was drunk under twelve months when we were in full production. Kept recipe cards for all brews so we could replicate the brews we enjoyed most.
Gave it all away after my health issues and I still balk at the price when I buy the occasional carton.
Shed was call the Pisspotterie, fridge had a list of contents, even printed my own labels, Caveman Ales, caricature of a caveman having a beer.
Friday nights were spent in the shed on the turps, playing darts, bbq tea, just relaxin after the week. :beer: :beer:
Gave it all away after my health issues and I still balk at the price when I buy the occasional carton.
Shed was call the Pisspotterie, fridge had a list of contents, even printed my own labels, Caveman Ales, caricature of a caveman having a beer.
Friday nights were spent in the shed on the turps, playing darts, bbq tea, just relaxin after the week. :beer: :beer:
Top post Reg, I am interested in your keg valve secret, kegs are pressure vessels and CO2 runs in at 850-ish PSI, so I would like to know before I stuff something up
in the future. Thoughts of kegs and soft drinks syrup when camping, ice chest etc. - all you can drink soft drink station for camp kids
That tip about turning the gas off till the pour slows a little, is just GOLD, very nice and makes perfect sense too.
in the future. Thoughts of kegs and soft drinks syrup when camping, ice chest etc. - all you can drink soft drink station for camp kids
That tip about turning the gas off till the pour slows a little, is just GOLD, very nice and makes perfect sense too.
Reg Wilson said:
I didn't think I would raise so many memories for members over my Daughters science experiment, BUT it is a wonderful thing to see,
and a social thing.
She will enjoy the read and perspective.
I remember going to a few of my parents friends places, the shed was the relaxation zone for parents and kids, small bar, fridge always full
of drinks to cater for all, snacks, small TV up on wall, 8 ball table all crammed into a small shed - it was great !
Not a single tool allowed in there... in more ways than one
Manpa, do you have any brew recipes or photos from back then ?
That you can share with us please ?
We would really appreciate seeing those.
and a social thing.
She will enjoy the read and perspective.
I remember going to a few of my parents friends places, the shed was the relaxation zone for parents and kids, small bar, fridge always full
of drinks to cater for all, snacks, small TV up on wall, 8 ball table all crammed into a small shed - it was great !
Not a single tool allowed in there... in more ways than one
Manpa, do you have any brew recipes or photos from back then ?
That you can share with us please ?
We would really appreciate seeing those.
Manpa said:
DropBear
Tim
This is fantastic to see!
And no doubt will be teaching your kids not to binge drink.
In Germany the legal drinking age from memory is 15, and they don't have a massive issue with binge drinking like Aus and US.
Education is key!
Next you should get her doing schnapps and things like that.
Might be able to make a business out of this if she likes it!
@Jaros - lol.... :lol:
And no doubt will be teaching your kids not to binge drink.
In Germany the legal drinking age from memory is 15, and they don't have a massive issue with binge drinking like Aus and US.
Education is key!
Next you should get her doing schnapps and things like that.
Might be able to make a business out of this if she likes it!
@Jaros - lol.... :lol:
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My Mum use to make Ginger beer for us when we was kids..
In the cupboard under the kitchen sink you would hear Pop pop and Mum would run on over open the cupboard... Ginger beer would be going everywhere :lol: :lol: :lol:
She use to have a Ginger beer plant that she would feed it with ginger and sugar I think it was every day...
Oh the old days...
Goody
In the cupboard under the kitchen sink you would hear Pop pop and Mum would run on over open the cupboard... Ginger beer would be going everywhere :lol: :lol: :lol:
She use to have a Ginger beer plant that she would feed it with ginger and sugar I think it was every day...
Oh the old days...
Goody
goody2shoes said:My Mum use to make Ginger beer for us when we was kids..
In the cupboard under the kitchen sink you would hear Pop pop and Mum would run on over open the cupboard... Ginger beer would be going everywhere :lol: :lol: :lol:
She use to have a Ginger beer plant that she would feed it with ginger and sugar I think it was every day...
Oh the old days...
Goody
I remember those days too, back in the 1950's. You'd get some of the ginger beer 'bug' (the dregs at the bottom of a brewing batch), from a neighbour to start off your own batch, then feed it with sugar and powdered ginger and add water. And when the ginger beer was eventually bottled, no matter how tightly dad tied down the corks, the bottles would eventually pop, spurting frothy ginger beer all over the place! Simpler times...
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Okay, so here's my secret for filling a keg, and I figured this out for myself after a lot of head scratching.
There are two types of couplers used in Ozz. The Carlton (now owned by SAB Miller) and the Tooheys ( Kirran Japan.) Unfortunately both of our biggest brewers are now foreign owned with only Coopers being truly Australian. Even many of the smaller 'craft' breweries have been gobbled up by these multi national conglomerates. Another good reason to brew your own.
Both types of couplers can be purchased from your local home brew shop, and there are choices in price, and snap fit options. I find the cheap ones are quite adequate, as I don't need the snap on options because my coupler remains fixed to the gas and beer lines inside the fridge. Both styles of coupler have a nylon valve and spring press fitted inside the coupler. Using a steel rod and hammer simply drive these out. This leaves an unobstructed passage through the coupler whether in the open or closed position, but the passage into the keg is only open when the coupler lever is depressed.
For cleaning out the keg I use an opened coupler with a closed off fitting on the beer outlet. A keg will be under pressure still when empty, and it is important not to have the beer outlet at the top free and open when you depress the coupler lever to clean out the keg. With the beer outlet closed the gas inside the keg will now escape through the gas inlet to the side, avoiding any eye damage which can occur if the beer outlet is open. (not to mention getting covered in stale beer.
When the gas has been released you can now pour water into the keg with the coupler in the open position, ideally using a garden hose. A few liters of water should be enough to clean the keg, although you may need to flush a few times to get it really clean. Just turn the keg upside down over a sturdy drum to drain. Because the keg has had co2 in it there is no need to use sterilizer, just a good flush with clean water will do.
Now to fill your keg, firstly remove the bubblers from your fermenting drums, and run off about a half cup full of beer using a quick snap on and off motion. This gets rid of any sediment that has settled within the taps. Using the plastic tube provided for bottling connected to a flexible clear tube which is then connected to a short length of flexible 13mm tube, insert the end inside the beer out section of the coupler with the lever in the down and open setting. This will depress the ball valve in the keg allowing bee to flow in as soon as you open the fermenter tap. Once full, I use a second gas bottle and coupler with the beer outlet closed to gas a keg for a few days so that it is ready for tapping at any time. This way I have ready gassed kegs at hand, just like the bought ones.
There are two types of couplers used in Ozz. The Carlton (now owned by SAB Miller) and the Tooheys ( Kirran Japan.) Unfortunately both of our biggest brewers are now foreign owned with only Coopers being truly Australian. Even many of the smaller 'craft' breweries have been gobbled up by these multi national conglomerates. Another good reason to brew your own.
Both types of couplers can be purchased from your local home brew shop, and there are choices in price, and snap fit options. I find the cheap ones are quite adequate, as I don't need the snap on options because my coupler remains fixed to the gas and beer lines inside the fridge. Both styles of coupler have a nylon valve and spring press fitted inside the coupler. Using a steel rod and hammer simply drive these out. This leaves an unobstructed passage through the coupler whether in the open or closed position, but the passage into the keg is only open when the coupler lever is depressed.
For cleaning out the keg I use an opened coupler with a closed off fitting on the beer outlet. A keg will be under pressure still when empty, and it is important not to have the beer outlet at the top free and open when you depress the coupler lever to clean out the keg. With the beer outlet closed the gas inside the keg will now escape through the gas inlet to the side, avoiding any eye damage which can occur if the beer outlet is open. (not to mention getting covered in stale beer.
When the gas has been released you can now pour water into the keg with the coupler in the open position, ideally using a garden hose. A few liters of water should be enough to clean the keg, although you may need to flush a few times to get it really clean. Just turn the keg upside down over a sturdy drum to drain. Because the keg has had co2 in it there is no need to use sterilizer, just a good flush with clean water will do.
Now to fill your keg, firstly remove the bubblers from your fermenting drums, and run off about a half cup full of beer using a quick snap on and off motion. This gets rid of any sediment that has settled within the taps. Using the plastic tube provided for bottling connected to a flexible clear tube which is then connected to a short length of flexible 13mm tube, insert the end inside the beer out section of the coupler with the lever in the down and open setting. This will depress the ball valve in the keg allowing bee to flow in as soon as you open the fermenter tap. Once full, I use a second gas bottle and coupler with the beer outlet closed to gas a keg for a few days so that it is ready for tapping at any time. This way I have ready gassed kegs at hand, just like the bought ones.
Fermentation and distillation are part of the NSW Science curriculum. Legend dad for instilling the skill of enquiry into your kids. Can remember making ginger beer at primary school in the 70's. Stored under the classroom we'd occasionally get one blow its top at the floor boards. Excellent thread, throw those kiddy gloves out.
Thanks Reg, an interesting read and simple method once you build the tools, a nice quick way to get the result.
I am slightly confused about - Just turn the keg upside down over a sturdy drum to drain. Because the keg has had co2 in it there is no need to use sterilizer,
just a good flush with clean water will do.
I want to get it correct if I should use this method, it's about me doing it safely, just need to understand things properly please.
Oh and the kegs in my Pic's are awaiting some conversion, one to a campfire crab boiler and another to a campfire hot water service - no offence meant to beer kegs O
The photos will help to explain my thoughts.....
As I understand it you are never removing the original valve/ "coupler" from the keg, but you tool up so that you entry and access to the volume inside.
At the end you drain the wash from the keg by turning it upside down.
Dont all kegs have spikes or tubes that go to the bottom of the keg as part of the coupler ?
I thought the stem pipe was to get the last of the beer.
How does it drain when upside down with the coupler still in it ?
Threaded neck for coupler
No threaded neck, turn and lock system
Two different brands of coupler
Long stem on coupler, to bottom of keg
I am slightly confused about - Just turn the keg upside down over a sturdy drum to drain. Because the keg has had co2 in it there is no need to use sterilizer,
just a good flush with clean water will do.
I want to get it correct if I should use this method, it's about me doing it safely, just need to understand things properly please.
Oh and the kegs in my Pic's are awaiting some conversion, one to a campfire crab boiler and another to a campfire hot water service - no offence meant to beer kegs O
The photos will help to explain my thoughts.....
As I understand it you are never removing the original valve/ "coupler" from the keg, but you tool up so that you entry and access to the volume inside.
At the end you drain the wash from the keg by turning it upside down.
Dont all kegs have spikes or tubes that go to the bottom of the keg as part of the coupler ?
I thought the stem pipe was to get the last of the beer.
How does it drain when upside down with the coupler still in it ?
Threaded neck for coupler
No threaded neck, turn and lock system
Two different brands of coupler
Long stem on coupler, to bottom of keg
Sadly Greenhornet, not a photo or recipe card about the place, I gave it away about 12 years ago, when my brother came over from the coast he would take a carton home with him, I reckon it was only 5 years ago he took the last of them, so they would have been a minimum of 8 years old.
Just a tip, if you happen to have a drill stand that you put your own drill into I have a plug and capper that will fit it, makes it easier to do your crown seals. If you want it I,ll try and dig it out and post it to you or drop it off if you are in Adelaide.
Ps just read the above post looks like you are going the keg route. We always went bottles so we weren't drinking the same beer every time. We used to brew low alcohol for fishing trips, used to get a few looks drinking a beer on the beach from pommy pint glasses.layful:
Just a tip, if you happen to have a drill stand that you put your own drill into I have a plug and capper that will fit it, makes it easier to do your crown seals. If you want it I,ll try and dig it out and post it to you or drop it off if you are in Adelaide.
Ps just read the above post looks like you are going the keg route. We always went bottles so we weren't drinking the same beer every time. We used to brew low alcohol for fishing trips, used to get a few looks drinking a beer on the beach from pommy pint glasses.
layful:
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I really enjoyed my time brewing, I primarily started as I couldn't afford to drink, 3 young kids, mortgage etc.
But as time went on I perfected it, and our situation improved, I kept brewing, even tho I could afford packaged beer.
I actually enjoyed sitting in the shed with the rockbox on, bottling and capping [and having a sip of course].
As the years passed I became time poor, it slipped away for the convenience of the bottle shop.
I never had one bottle "pop" and stuck to a brew of 4.9%.
Every now and then upped the ante for a few bottles, to fix up the odd smarty or know it all, that
worked too, very funny.
But as time went on I perfected it, and our situation improved, I kept brewing, even tho I could afford packaged beer.
I actually enjoyed sitting in the shed with the rockbox on, bottling and capping [and having a sip of course].
As the years passed I became time poor, it slipped away for the convenience of the bottle shop.
I never had one bottle "pop" and stuck to a brew of 4.9%.
Every now and then upped the ante for a few bottles, to fix up the odd smarty or know it all, that
worked too, very funny.
Manpa, that is a generous offer from you and most appreciated :trophy:
But between doing beer and tomato sauce we have two of those dedicated crown capping machines, they are the bee's knee's and
saved me cracking thinner glassed Crown Larger stubbies.
Much better than the wooden handle and bell washer thing - lol
But thank you for offer, could you find it and put up pictures of it please ?
Was that capping adapter for the drill press a commercial thing or did you make it yourself ?
I saw a block thing fixed to the base of a capper press, like a U shape so it positioned the bottle base, got to make me one of those.
Yes, I am in Adelaide, over in Campbelltown way.
But between doing beer and tomato sauce we have two of those dedicated crown capping machines, they are the bee's knee's and
saved me cracking thinner glassed Crown Larger stubbies.
Much better than the wooden handle and bell washer thing - lol
But thank you for offer, could you find it and put up pictures of it please ?
Was that capping adapter for the drill press a commercial thing or did you make it yourself ?
I saw a block thing fixed to the base of a capper press, like a U shape so it positioned the bottle base, got to make me one of those.
Yes, I am in Adelaide, over in Campbelltown way.
See the Edit Manpa,
No not going keg route unless the kids REALLY get keen and licensed, its more along the path of softdrinks
or anything else for community events.
LOTS of school events and our 'family' is big too, I'm almost a commercial caterer when I plan parties.
Personally the bottles is my preferred method for beer, single serve or shared, the Ginger beer is best in bottles too,
kids can crank off a top and just need a little fridge space.
I have a beer stein that holds 4L, not tempted to fill it yet, but drinking English pints when fishing...Classic Sir !
Organising my 9yr olds surprise party in the park, PIZZA party, they get to make the pizza they eat, up to 20 kids.
Just ordered 20x 8" pizza trays, dragging out two Weber BBQ's, building a Pinata, got heaps of fun games programmed
pasta entree, 5-10min in the Weber per cook.
Very next day, Family park party for me and the 9yr old, our birthdays are days apart.
THAT is going to be some work, ribs, chicken, salads, heaps of bodies, a couple of beers with friends and family
all in a different park.
Maybe I should do this for a living.... LOL
No not going keg route unless the kids REALLY get keen and licensed, its more along the path of softdrinks
or anything else for community events.
LOTS of school events and our 'family' is big too, I'm almost a commercial caterer when I plan parties.
Personally the bottles is my preferred method for beer, single serve or shared, the Ginger beer is best in bottles too,
kids can crank off a top and just need a little fridge space.
I have a beer stein that holds 4L, not tempted to fill it yet, but drinking English pints when fishing...Classic Sir !
Organising my 9yr olds surprise party in the park, PIZZA party, they get to make the pizza they eat, up to 20 kids.
Just ordered 20x 8" pizza trays, dragging out two Weber BBQ's, building a Pinata, got heaps of fun games programmed
pasta entree, 5-10min in the Weber per cook.
Very next day, Family park party for me and the 9yr old, our birthdays are days apart.
THAT is going to be some work, ribs, chicken, salads, heaps of bodies, a couple of beers with friends and family
all in a different park.
Maybe I should do this for a living....
LOL
Redfin, I had a brew go to 9% alcohol, that only took 3 days to ferment and was a kit, so I dont know what changed
to get it that high.
Mates loved it, tasted good, but had to drink it slow with food - it was over the top.
Never had a bottle pop either.
to get it that high.
Mates loved it, tasted good, but had to drink it slow with food - it was over the top.
Never had a bottle pop either.
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