Things have changed since I last brewed beers !
I am looking for a vessel system for primary fermentation, secondary fermentation, aging and carbonation.
I am strongly considering using Better Bottle carboys.
http://www.better-bottle.com/products_master.html
Could I use a better bottle carboy for the following:
1) Primary fermentation. A no brainer, right ? I like the air lock products that are made for the Better Bottle carboys.
2) Secondary fermentation. A no brainer, right ? I like the ability to use CO2 to push the beer from one carboy to the other through the optional racking valve.
Now, here is something interesting. Several local brewing stores carry the Better Bottle carboys. But none carry the carboys with the racking port. In fact one shop told me that the Better Bottle racking valves leak. Can anyone comment on this from experience ? Do the valves leak ? How about under pressure ?
3) Long term storage and carbonization.
OK, here is where I start to wonder. I guess a Better Bottle carboy would work well for long term storage. I'd like to take that one step further and put the carboy in the fridge and pressurize it with CO2 and serve beer right from the carboy. The carboys are rated for 14.5PSI and have a working temp range down to -30C.
Is anyone using Better Bottle carboys in this manner ? Does anyone see a problem ?
If the Better Bottle racking valve leaks, has anyone built a racking valve that doesn't leak ?
Thanks.
I am looking for a vessel system for primary fermentation, secondary fermentation, aging and carbonation.
I am strongly considering using Better Bottle carboys.
http://www.better-bottle.com/products_master.html
Could I use a better bottle carboy for the following:
1) Primary fermentation. A no brainer, right ? I like the air lock products that are made for the Better Bottle carboys.
2) Secondary fermentation. A no brainer, right ? I like the ability to use CO2 to push the beer from one carboy to the other through the optional racking valve.
Now, here is something interesting. Several local brewing stores carry the Better Bottle carboys. But none carry the carboys with the racking port. In fact one shop told me that the Better Bottle racking valves leak. Can anyone comment on this from experience ? Do the valves leak ? How about under pressure ?
3) Long term storage and carbonization.
OK, here is where I start to wonder. I guess a Better Bottle carboy would work well for long term storage. I'd like to take that one step further and put the carboy in the fridge and pressurize it with CO2 and serve beer right from the carboy. The carboys are rated for 14.5PSI and have a working temp range down to -30C.
Is anyone using Better Bottle carboys in this manner ? Does anyone see a problem ?
If the Better Bottle racking valve leaks, has anyone built a racking valve that doesn't leak ?
Thanks.