Can I serve stout from a corny keg and picnic tap using Co2, or should I just bottle? I would like to brew an Oatmeal Stout and a porter, but don't have a beer/gas setup or stout faucet yet.
Can kegged stout be served with Co2 only?
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Yes, I push my stout with co2 through a regular beer faucet. It's great.
BionicSniper
Member
From what I have read, serving with 100% c02 just does not have the super dense head.
Sure it does. I use flaked barley in my recipe, and the head on my beer is great with a thick creamy head and dense small bubbles.
BionicSniper
Member
So the primary purpose of the nitrogen is to allow for higher serving pressure.
What does the barley do to allow for the denser head?
What does the barley do to allow for the denser head?
Nitro does give nice smooth pours, and a creamy finish on the beer- so it's very nice. But it's not necessary.
Flaked barley is a great ingredient for stouts and porters- it gives great body and head retention to beer. It's very commonly used.
OP
OP
Thanks for the input! I'm just getting started kegging and wanted to know if I could serve a stout with the basic Co2 setup. At what pressure do you serve your stout, and do you force carb it?
i also serve up a stout with only co2, and use flaked barley for head retention. mine is set at 40 degrees, 7 ft line, 11-12 psi, force-carbed. it was great with a tan, creamy, tight-bubbled head. keg just kicked 2 days ago, and i was sad to see it go, but i have more aging in the bourbon-barrel 
OP
OP
I've just about decided instead of an oatmeal stout, to make my first stout with flaked barley. Sounds like you guys have had great success with flaked barley in the recipe. I have a Scotch ale and a Kolsch planned for my next 2 brews. Then I think I'll give the stout with flaked barley a try. Thanks for all your help and comments!
29thfloor
Well-Known Member
Nitro definitely won't carb beer.
Carb = carbonate = dissolved CO2
But nitrogen will dissolve in your beer as well and will give you much smaller bubbles and a smoother mouthfeel.
A lot of bottled stouts are carbonated with no nitrogen added. You'll get similar results just using CO2 when kegging.
Carb = carbonate = dissolved CO2
But nitrogen will dissolve in your beer as well and will give you much smaller bubbles and a smoother mouthfeel.
A lot of bottled stouts are carbonated with no nitrogen added. You'll get similar results just using CO2 when kegging.
