So I fermented 2.25 gallons or so of apfelwein in a 2.5-gallon #2 water jug. It's been chugging along just fine for almost four weeks, and I took a taste (but not a hydro sample) last week. Still a little sweet, but I think it's pretty dang good already, and surprisingly clear.
In any case, I'm probably going to bottle it in the next week or two, and I'm thinking... for such a small quantity, and in such a convenient vessel for just running it into a jug... how bad would it be to just open the spigot and drain it into growlers? It's a jug like one of these, and has been tap-side-up (vertical) while it ferments. I figure I should be able to get the majority of the apfelwein out of there without disturbing the lees too much.
Terrible idea from a splashing/oxidation standpoint? We're planning on drinking this batch young and still (the next one will age... maybe), if it makes a difference. It's fermenting in my buddy's workshop, and I'd rather not bring the bottling bucket, siphon, racking cane, etc. over there if I can do without. Yes, everything in this batch is ghetto-style.
Thanks!
In any case, I'm probably going to bottle it in the next week or two, and I'm thinking... for such a small quantity, and in such a convenient vessel for just running it into a jug... how bad would it be to just open the spigot and drain it into growlers? It's a jug like one of these, and has been tap-side-up (vertical) while it ferments. I figure I should be able to get the majority of the apfelwein out of there without disturbing the lees too much.
Terrible idea from a splashing/oxidation standpoint? We're planning on drinking this batch young and still (the next one will age... maybe), if it makes a difference. It's fermenting in my buddy's workshop, and I'd rather not bring the bottling bucket, siphon, racking cane, etc. over there if I can do without. Yes, everything in this batch is ghetto-style.
Thanks!