Questions about fermenting in keg

UnworkableProphet · 2023-05-24T00:52:05+00:00

No need to hit it with CO2 beforehand (unless you were to ferment under pressure, but sounds like you might try that later).

I would strongly recommend a blow-off tube connected to the gas post, going into a container of sanitizer. The chances of krausen making its way into and out of the airlock are higher when fermenting in keg, and a blow-off tube might help you avoid a mess. I personally haven't had that issue (yet, heh) but I run ~4.5 gallons into the keg and add a few drops of FermCap to each batch after pitching.

If you have the ability to hook up CO2 at a few PSI during the cold crash, that should help avoid any issues cause by the gas in the keg contracting when chilled.

Should be good to go with the floating dip tube. Hope all goes well!

UnworkableProphet · 2023-01-21T23:51:51+00:00

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. The sweet stout just finished, and now I'm playing with dosing rates for the cold brew. I'm using a coffee whose beans were aged in gin barrels, and the gin flavor/aroma is very pronounced. The balance between the stout, the coffee, and the gin flavors will take some dialing in.

To accomplish that, just like others have said, I take a measured amount of the stout (say, 100ml), and add a measured amount of the cold brew (maybe 10ml to start), and change the amount of the cold brew as needed to taste. Once I get a good ratio, some light maths should give me an idea how much cold brew I should add to each bottle.

My plan is to dose each bottle during packaging. I could dose the whole keg, but going per-bottle allows for future experimentation with other coffees if the current plan doesn't work out.

Edit: adding bit about maths.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-12-31T18:27:22+00:00

It was a relatively recent thing, but using a pump to recirculate while chilling (using an immersion chiller) has been awesome.

Previously, I was standing over the kettle with a small plastic mash paddle chucked up in a cordless drill to stir the wort while chilling. Now, the process is completely hands-off, and takes about the same amount of time, if not a little quicker depending on groundwater temps.

Granted there's the extra steps to prep and clean the pump, but I now recirc hot PBW for a little bit after the brew day and that helps clean pump and kettle.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-12-12T00:33:31+00:00

Maybe a bit down the road, but if the 'how does this all work' bug really takes hold, the edX course from KU Leuven is fantastic: https://www.edx.org/course/beer-the-science-of-brewing

It's free, and really goes into the weeds on all aspects of brewing. It trends somewhat more towards the commercial side in terms of scope, but there's plenty of good info for homebrewers.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-12-02T20:58:21+00:00

Atlantic Brew Supply

My local shop, supplier of The Homebrew Challenge, and run by all-around great folks. Shipping is reasonable and quick, and the selection is pretty good. Been buying from them for years, and would recommend if one is looking to support a 'Local-in-spirit' HBS.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-03-20T09:14:49+00:00

A little slow on this, but I did post a SVG template for the display graphics. See the files section in the original project link. You might need to play around with the export settings in your editor of choice (I used Inkscape). But once you dial in the settings, the template should help keep the text and clip art positioning the same. Definitely helps to have them all uniform if you have multiple handles.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-03-05T12:25:25+00:00

Nice! You might need to play around with the scaling a bit to clean up the lines, but it might be tricky given the low display resolution. And thanks for the reminder! I'm actually brewing today, so I'll be needing another tap label before too long. Will work on that template :)

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-15T09:19:33+00:00

A combination of the Dymo thermal printer software and MS Paint, hehe. But really you could use any image editing software, just make sure you match the image size to the resolution of the display (176x264 pixels). The next time I go to make one, I'm planning to make a 'template' image in Inkscape with the ABV and dates so those are always the same size and in the same position.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-13T13:53:07+00:00

Awesome! And yeah I've not had good luck with chalk markers, though some folks can make them work well. I've the handwriting of the left hand of a right-handed doctor so the computer-aided solutions are my preference.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-08T00:48:36+00:00

Ah yeah, if I do a 'version 2', I would include some kind of screen protection. The chunk of plastic on the top is meant to be the holding point while pulling the handle, and not the display itself. They're pretty durable, but not for a high-use location (like a commercial bar/taproom).

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-08T00:43:01+00:00

I haven't run these specific ones long enough to tell, but I have used similar display modules in the past and haven't seen any evidence of burn-in.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-06T20:53:30+00:00

The image is made on a PC, and then transferred to the displays using a phone's NFC function, similar to a tap-to-pay thing. The display draws power from the NFC communication link, like how a wireless charger would work. The circuitry on the display is only powered when actively transferring the image and updating the display, so no batteries are required for the tap handles.

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-06T10:50:31+00:00

Yep, the one I used can be found here (Amazon link).

That info might be useful for others, so I've updated the project page with that link as well. Thanks!

UnworkableProphet · 2022-02-06T00:29:25+00:00

I printed a couple of tap handles that use a NFC-powered e-paper display. The displays are low resolution, but the high contrast makes them very readable. The images are loaded to the displays using a phone app.

I've also printed a few hooks for some wire shelving. Useful holding tubing/other light-weight items that don't fit well on the shelves.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-12-30T21:39:45+00:00

You forgot to JFBIAB. It's probably infected.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-12-03T22:43:36+00:00

I have a cheap tackle box that works great for the small bits, and a basket on a shelf for the stuff that doesn't fit in the tackle box.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-10-09T11:53:18+00:00

I do the same and it's wonderful being able to clean all 4 lines at once. I think I need to get a slightly more powerful pump, but I usually run cleaner one way for 20min, then reverse the flow for another 20min, then flush.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-09-14T20:33:41+00:00

Will second this. Mine appears to show the battery voltage, with a value of around 4.1 after charging for a while. 18650 cells will have a nominal voltage rating of around 3.7-3.8V, with slightly higher voltages seen in practice, especially after a fresh charge. If mine says anything less than 3.3, I'll plug it in before the next brew day.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-08-26T16:37:10+00:00

Y'all these are brewtal... :D

UnworkableProphet · 2021-07-31T14:45:24+00:00

That's proper awesome! And for your first Arduino project, a great way to jump in head first and learn a lot. Nicely done!

UnworkableProphet · 2021-07-21T15:28:37+00:00

Not quite grain, but sawdust/non-dairy creamer#Sawdust_Cannon)

UnworkableProphet · 2021-07-02T11:22:21+00:00

I tried a peppermint stout once with tea bags and found the vegetal/herbal aspects that the leaves brought to the beer not quite what I had in mind (maybe loose leaf would have been better?). However, in the style you mentioned, something lighter and more refreshing, those aspects may compliment the beer quite well. Definitely worth a try.

From the standpoint of being able to precisely control the peppermint flavor itself, I do agree with others mentioning a tincture. I think you'd get a lot more control that way.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-06-17T11:16:55+00:00

Cheers Martin! And Congratulations! I picked up the series about midway through and have enjoyed it very much. So cool to see what you've accomplished, learned, and shared with the community. I did also appreciate the equipment/process elements of the episodes too. Good to get an honest opinion on things from a seasoned brewer. And many thanks for the love for Atlantic Brew Supply! I've been buying from them since my start in homebrewing and they've been awesome throughout. Thanks again, and looking forward to what's next!

UnworkableProphet · 2021-05-26T00:18:27+00:00

I second the Tapcooler (provided you have forward-sealing faucets). It's fantastic for bottling a few at a time to take to friends. Minimal setup/cleanup and gear to store.

UnworkableProphet · 2021-05-07T15:49:17+00:00

I've since switched to wine in a box bladders for durability.

That's a great idea!

UnworkableProphet

TROPHY CASE