I'm considering springing for 2 brand new,10 gallon corny kegs for aging my meads. If I understand this process correctly, aging under pressure seems like an easy way to avoid having to worry about topping up, or having a bladder deflate on a floating lid, not to mention a convenient way to rack/bottle when the time comes. For those of you already doing this, is it as good as it looks at first glance? Having done some research, I am a little concerned about availability of parts and getting gas refills.
I have never used kegs before, so I'm also wondering how I might manage the headspace during the aging process for different meads. Since most do not benefit from o2 exposure after fermentation, it seems pretty straightforward; purge o2 from headspace after filling, pressurize, and leave it alone. But a heavier bodied melomel, that has considerable tannins to polymerize, might benefit from periodic headspace flushing. Is this a pretty straightforward process? Do you prefer argon or nitrogen over co2? Are they all equally accessible? Can co2 be used without imparting effervescence?
Thanks -
I have never used kegs before, so I'm also wondering how I might manage the headspace during the aging process for different meads. Since most do not benefit from o2 exposure after fermentation, it seems pretty straightforward; purge o2 from headspace after filling, pressurize, and leave it alone. But a heavier bodied melomel, that has considerable tannins to polymerize, might benefit from periodic headspace flushing. Is this a pretty straightforward process? Do you prefer argon or nitrogen over co2? Are they all equally accessible? Can co2 be used without imparting effervescence?
Thanks -