National Homebrew Club Ireland

General Discussions => Brewing Communities => North County Brewers => Topic started by: Will_D on June 09, 2013, 09:16:05 AM

Title: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on June 09, 2013, 09:16:05 AM
The day eventually dawned and what a sunny day for the filling.

We will post the full story when all the photos and videos are available.

However a few points:

Solar Pumps can be tricky in a "portable situation" - fine when plumbed into a rig but out in the field  it kept getting airlocks. Poor Renier had to suck a lot of beer (luckily not driving)

A simple 1/2" bore syphon tube is a lot simpler and quicker.

We ended up a little short ( we will brew a quick top up beer )

We thougth 9 x 20 ish litres or so would do the job but somejow we were short. Next time we need 10 brews

Any way it was a great day out and much thanks to Colin for the great hospitality and the lovely food

Here are the photos I took - I then got involved (read wet) getting the batches into the cask but others were documenting the events:
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Jacob on June 09, 2013, 12:35:26 PM
Few more pics:
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Jacob on June 09, 2013, 02:34:33 PM
And a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IppgQh_F6PM
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on June 10, 2013, 08:15:06 PM
Quote from: Jacob on June 09, 2013, 02:34:33 PM
And a clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IppgQh_F6PM
Great Vid Jacob!

I am about to google "Self Priming Pumps"  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Partridge9 on June 10, 2013, 09:31:28 PM

Some more - Great stuff !

http://youtu.be/-SOOAeOwFhQ

Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on June 19, 2013, 10:37:52 AM
Hi Colin

Any update, Hows she looking. The top up Porter should be ready soon!
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: ColMack on June 20, 2013, 09:57:46 AM
She's looking mighty fine. I gave her a little bit of a wipe down with starsan solution on Sunday to remove any splashes. 
It's been a bit warm of late, thermometer hit 22oC yesterday evening but was steady at 18oC up till then.
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on July 01, 2013, 11:06:05 AM
So a quick update:

Popped up to Colin's yesterday with the Brown Porter top-up.

After we sprayed a bit of star san we removed the bung. Evidence of foaming as the bung was stout coloured!
Nice seet CO2 ish smell from cask.

A few wisps of foam and the top of the beer.

Topped up with about 6 liters to just below bung. And left Colin a couple of L in case we need more top ups.

Looking good!

Maybe for the August or September meet we may pull a sample?
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Jacob on July 02, 2013, 09:47:56 AM
Quote from: Will_D on July 01, 2013, 11:06:05 AM
Maybe for the August or September meet we may pull a sample?
September sounds better to me. Will be nice to try it in the middle of ageing process :)
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: ColMack on September 10, 2013, 12:02:10 PM
Here's a picture of your baby taken last night in case you were missing it.
I took the liberty of painting one end with black board paint.
I have a couple of bottles (unprimed) for tonight's meeting.
I have also primed two more which I'll bring on the 24th.
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: ColmR on September 10, 2013, 12:23:35 PM
Ah lads.... Would you look at that :)
Ain't she gorgeous...
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Jacob on September 10, 2013, 12:24:25 PM
She's a beauty  :-*
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on September 29, 2013, 10:02:51 PM
Rather than starting 2 new threads "Emptying the cask" and "What to re-fill it with" I suggest we carry on this one.

Emptying - no real problem - We discussed it at the last meet

However we need to get a refill organised fairly quickly!

So what will it be?

Sugestions:

Barley Wine?

Lambic?

PS:  I have the Conna yeasts for ye!
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on September 29, 2013, 10:05:54 PM
With the amount of apple juice heading my way it may well be a oak aged cider!

But hang on a minute - I've already got an empty cask for that!
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Jacob on September 30, 2013, 09:13:40 PM
+1 to barley wine
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on September 30, 2013, 09:29:29 PM
Quote from: Jacob on September 30, 2013, 09:13:40 PM
+1 to barley wine
Another +1

Any one else?

@nigel: I think I remember you were up for a BW
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: nigel_c on September 30, 2013, 10:52:44 PM
I'm always up for a barley wine.
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: ColmR on October 01, 2013, 04:49:52 PM
I'd be game to brew a barley wine as well. Although, my preference would be for the recipe to be on the low end of the scale for the style.

Also, did the test bottle of RIS carbonate at all? I missed last week's meet up.
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Will_D on October 01, 2013, 08:22:50 PM
As our next meet is a week tonight I suggest we try to nail this subject!

If we start in mid October we should be ready (if we decide) to empty the cask and refill straight away.
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: nigel_c on October 03, 2013, 09:23:55 PM
Did we ever decide on a name for the first barrel?
Title: Re: Filling The Cask
Post by: Partridge9 on October 22, 2013, 11:16:46 AM
I believe we went for the russian rocket

Soyuz