Kegging at 40 deg with 12psi.

Beer: Nut Brown Ale.

It's been at 40 degrees in keg at 12psi. I've shaken it a few times. When should I expect the keg to be finished? Can I try it yet? Any kegging tips for a beginner?

Also what pressure do you serve at when finished carbonating?

Thanks for the help.

V

 

How long has it been on the gas? Usually takes a good week to carb.

I usually just set the keg on the desired carbing pressure and use that to serve as well. I keep mine around 8-10 most of the time. If you are in a hurry, you can bump up the pressure for a few days to like 20 psi and back it off once it starts getting carbed. I find the set it and forget it method to be the easiest though.

 

This is a good chart that shows how many volumes of CO2 at what temperature and PSI. I wish I could remember where I got it from.

I usually prefer mine ~2.5 volumes but it suits the type of beer I make.

Best thing to do is to taste it everyday and you will notice the carbonation level changing. Find the level you prefer.

You can drink it right away if you like, personally I prefer beer ~3months old unless it's an IPA.

 

It will reach 2.5 volumes in about 3 weeks, but probably acceptable within 10-12 days (but not 2.5 volumes). Serve at 12 psi.

 

How long are your beer lines?

 

Wow, thanks for the help. I've been shaking the keg twice a day. It's been 3 days now.

3ft on the beer line. 6ft on the CO2 line.

V

 

3 ft. on a beer line is pretty short. You are gonna get a lot of foam with that short of a line.

 

Ya, according to this you want close to 4ft at line at those temps and that pressure. Assuming you have 3/16" vinyl lines.

 

If you pay attention to the balancing calculators, you're going to waste a lot of money incrementally buying a new line 1 foot longer than the last one. It's much cheaper to buy 10 feet and clip a foot off as necessary.

 

You guys are complicated, I crank it to 30 psi shake for a few minutes ! Done ! Wait three weeks no way !

 

agreed. I don't know where that calculation gets that four feet is enough. I'm barely balanced at 8 psi with five foot lines. I'm replacing with ten when these kegs kick. And that is at 36 degrees.