Corking a Belgian???

[HomerT]

For X-mas gifts, I was planning on bottling a batch in 750ml Blegian bottles and completeing them with a cork and wire cage. I don't want to put alot of money into a hig end corker, as it will be used only occasionally for beer. I have only seen the big floor corkers (>$120) listed as inserting champagne corks. I don't want to spend that much.
NB sells plastic campagne corks that can be inserted by hand and then caged. WOuld these work for a beer? Anyone hae any experience with these? ANy experience for corking a beer?
-Todd

 

[HomerT]

Well, over the the NB forums, people are a bit split on this.
http://forum.northernbrewer.com/viewtopic.php?t=36981

What I really want to know is if I can use plastic champagne corks andwire cages in the Belgian stlye bottles. I called NB and they said no. SOmeone else called and they said yes.

ANyone here ever try something similar?

 

[sonvolt]

They make cheaper corkers than those big floor models. Like this one.

 

[Sean]

Champagne builds up so much more pressure than beer, I don't see why this wouldn't work. Thogh I've never done it.

 

[HomerT]

They make cheaper corkers than those big floor models. Like this one.

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=4351

Yes, but they don't work with champagne corks. I have verified that with a few people.

 

[Pumbaa]

I bottled my braggot in champagne bottles with plastic corks and cages. I rubber mallet works just fine if you are carefull. I did ruin 2 corks (out of 24) though so like I said just be carefull.

What I did was put the cork into the top of a bottle and draped a towel over it to hold them in place. 2 or 3 good whacks drove the cork in until it was well seated then added he cages using a needle nose plyers to twist them until secure.

 

[Caplan]

Plastic 'corks' secured with wire cages work for me. I've aways applied them by hand with no worries.

 

[Brewtopia]

The only problem I had with the plastic Champagne corks is when I attempted to use recycled 375ml Liefman's Goudenband bottles. I found that the interior diameter of the bottle opening was not consistent. Some bottles I could tap in tightly with a rubber mallet as suggested above, others would drop right into the bottle and not seal. Morebeer.com sells Belgian Corks that work great. http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=6632&PHPSESSID=295fca8d349d8df5313c4e8aa6e3efa4 I use this corker and it truly is effortless. http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=19436

 

[Brewtopia]

They make cheaper corkers than those big floor models. Like this one.

I also own that corker and it doesn't work with the belgian corks. They are too dense to compress by hand.

 

[HomerT]

Plastic 'corks' secured with wire cages work for me. I've aways applied them by hand with no worries.

Have you ever done them with Belgian bottles or bombers?

 

[HomerT]

The only problem I had with the plastic Champagne corks is when I attempted to use recycled 375ml Liefman's Goudenband bottles. I found that the interior diameter of the bottle opening was not consistent. Some bottles I could tap in tightly with a rubber mallet as suggested above, others would drop right into the bottle and not seal. Morebeer.com sells Belgian Corks that work great. http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=6632&PHPSESSID=295fca8d349d8df5313c4e8aa6e3efa4 I use this corker and it truly is effortless. http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=19436

Problem is I didn't want to drop that kind of money obn a corker that will be used once a year at best (I am not a wine maker).

-Todd

 

[Brewtopia]

Problem is I didn't want to drop that kind of money obn a corker that will be used once a year at best (I am not a wine maker).

-Todd

I completely understand. You can brew a couple of batches for the price of a floor corker. I have also purchased cappable wine bottles, used regular wine corks with my less expensive plunger type corker, capped on top of the cork and dipped in bottle wax for a finishing touch. It helps to soak the corks in hot water, They'll go into the bottle a lot easier.

 

[HomerT]

Well, a little update. I ordered two cases of Belgians, corks and cages last night. Found a home brew store about 45min away that will rent me a Cahmpagne floor corker for $10. Woo-hoo!

-Todd

 

[HomerT]

Another update for those that care:

The finished product....

It was alot of effort, but well worth it. These will be gifts for the family for x-mas.

-Todd

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Corking a Belgian?


You pervert!!!!!!







Seriously, congrats. Looks good.