Pommie Pressure Barrel

[T.D.]

Easier said than done Dennis. Unfortunately a transplanted pom. I live near Cairns (nth qld) these days

Hasn't QLD got enough poms??

Then again, better up there than down in NSW...

 

[muckanic]

Thanks, although really it's not the cap that's the issue...it's getting a CO2 cannister to fit which is the problem.

I suspect customs wouldn't be too keen to let those little CO2 bulbs through!

You're not limited to sparklet-type cylinders. I used to use a 350-ish g Hambleton Bard cylinder, about the same size as a Sodastream.

The simplest way to go is to get an adapter that connects a Sodastream bottle to a gas regulator. Some of the sponsors here will do you one for $39 plus postage, or look further afield. Now, instead of screwing the adapter into a regulator, get hold of a backnut and a couple of washers and fix it to your cap instead. The backnut thread could be a bit of hassle because the adapter doesn't look BSP to me from a casual inspection. This discussion: http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...2329&st=210 suggests it might be 5/8-18UNF.

Next problem is the pressure relief valve. I would seriously consider dispensing with it, as either the cap or the tap ought to blow long before the barrel deforms.

Lastly, as I suggested before, the tap is crying out for an upgrade if you've got the readies. A 3/4" metal ball valve would be the simplest and cheapest way to go here, plus backnut and washers of course. Optionally, get a threaded tap so that some sort of sparkler device can be improvised, like one of those fine mesh filters for kitchen taps. I guess the desirability of this feature depends upon whether you're a northern or southern Pom. B) A quick look at the sponsor's sites suggests they only do 1/2" ball valves, so that might require a trip to an irrigation specialist (provided you are happy to use nickel-plated brass). Plenty of folks do on their boilers, and I can't really see any additional problem with fermented beer.

 

[muckanic]

Now, instead of screwing the adapter into a regulator, get hold of a backnut and a couple of washers and fix it to your cap instead. The backnut thread could be a bit of hassle because the adapter doesn't look BSP to me from a casual inspection.

Edit: I incorrectly assumed the adapter contains a one-way valve. It doesn't, so either the adapter needs to be adapted to the existing valve in the cap (more thread incompatability hassles), or some sort of gas tap needs to be added in-line as well. Starts to get messy and expensive.

 

[WSC]

For these kegs that have the top tap and the float could you ferment in one, crash chill, prime and wait 3 weeks then serve straigh from the keg.

That is ferment and serve from the one vessel?

One of these costs 45 punds so they are not cheap.

With the float and the top tap though you would always get realtively clear beer.

Just a thought, the fridge space would be the downside though I guess.

What does everyone think?

 

[Bribie G]

The problem is the same as with Corny kegs that you sugar prime (to save a few pennies worth of gas). It goes really well for the first few pints, then when the pressurised headspace reverts to atmospheric (maybe a third of the way down the keg) you still have to pump some extra CO2 into the headspace. Once you have got over the initial cost setup hurdle, then at $55 each Cornies win out every time.
The reason that pressure barrels are so popular in the UK is that they don't have that initial "hurdle", you can just buy one with its injector already fitted and away you go, usually keep ale in your garage at serving temp most of the year. However I've never heard of anyone actually fermenting in one. They can be a bitch to clean out.