A tale of 2 kegs--10 gal batch but 2 different outputs (?)

[ChadLeBald]

So I'm not sure what happened with my latest finished batch.

It was a California Common (fairly close to Anchor Steam), AG, 10 gal batch.

I fermented it in the conical at 64 degrees for 2 weeks (while it was fermented out, this may be the problem--but read to the end first).

I kegged the first 5 gallons out of the conical into a sanke keg, and the 2nd 5 gallons into a corny keg. I did put a cup of gelatin as a fining agent in each keg prior to racking (that may be the problem--but read to the end first)

Both were force carbed at the same rate (20 PSI for 2 days, then down to 10 to settle themselves in for a few more days).

The result? Corny seemed to be fine, Sanke not-so-much fine.

The corny was the first tapped and drank. The first pint or 2 were nasty--due to the gelatin, as expected. But then the beer was fairly clear all the way to being kicked.

The sanke version was different, though (the gelatin pint/s were poured off at the same time as the corny, but then it sat another 2 weeks prior to being tapped for drinking). The first couple of pints--thus far--have been VERY VERY murky (I won't say cloudy because that isn't really the right term--it's like there is a ton of yeast in there).

Any light that can be shed on this murkiness?
Is the culprit:
a) only 2 weeks fermenting (though if so, why only on the 2nd keg?)
b) the gelatin finings (though, if so, why only on the 2nd keg?)
c) don't fret it, it's likely just the first few pints that will be murky since the keg's been sitting for a couple weeks
d) didn't clean out the last beer from the sanke well enough
e) other???

 

[erock2112]

Not sure. Could be the dip tube is lower in the sanke and is sucking up more of the sediment before it clears. Just to be clear, the sanke is only a third full?

 

[ChadLeBald]

Not sure. Could be the dip tube is lower in the sanke and is sucking up more of the sediment before it clears. Just to be clear, the sanke is only a third full?

No, the sanke is fully full (well, 90% or so anyway--it's a 5 gal version).

If the sediment has cleared once, then let's say it sits another week or so before I pour more, could a new round of sediment form? If so, maybe that's it...

 

[erock2112]

Makes sense. Sort of like sediment at the bottom of the secondary - you didn't transfer it over, but it continued to settle. Were you racking from the bottom of the fermentor? If so, the first keg is going to be the beer that was sitting closer to the bottom and therefore has more stuff in suspension, waiting to slowly drop out. I say give it time and see if it clears after a few pints.

 

[ChadLeBald]

Makes sense. Sort of like sediment at the bottom of the secondary - you didn't transfer it over, but it continued to settle. Were you racking from the bottom of the fermentor? If so, the first keg is going to be the beer that was sitting closer to the bottom and therefore has more stuff in suspension, waiting to slowly drop out. I say give it time and see if it clears after a few pints.

That's a good point. Racking wise, the conical has an arm that is toward the bottom, but not at the bottom. I did first dump what seemed to be the final amount of trub before racking. I think it must be that I only fermented 2 weeks. Probably should have let it sit longer. I've got a similar recipe fermenting now--though with a carboy--I'll let it sit an extra couple of weeks and see if that fixes the issue...