Filling a growler

[redrocker652002]

OK, so my brother in law gave me a few cool growlers he had laying around to use. Since I cannot carb up a beer in them I am curious how to get the beer into them with little foam and as much beer as possible. I don't own a beer gun, although I think one was included with all the stuff I was able to get for free. Have no clue how to use it. I have a Perlick tap that I believe is front sealing. Any input is welcomed. Thanks.

 

[mac_1103]

Get one of these and attach a piece of tubing long enough to reach the bottom of the growler. Chill the growlers before you fill them. Depending on your kegerator, tower, etc, the growler might not fit under the tap so you might need to use a longer piece of tubing. Which might make a bit of a mess if you're not careful, or maybe even if you are.

 

[redrocker652002]

Get one of these and attach a piece of tubing long enough to reach the bottom of the growler. Chill the growlers before you fill them. Depending on your kegerator, tower, etc, the growler might not fit under the tap so you might need to use a longer piece of tubing. Which might make a bit of a mess if you're not careful, or maybe even if you are.

Thank you for the link. Going to add it to my next Morebeer order and give it a go.

 

[IslandLizard]

Get one of these and attach a piece of tubing long enough to reach the bottom of the growler. Chill the growlers before you fill them. Depending on your kegerator, tower, etc, the growler might not fit under the tap so you might need to use a longer piece of tubing. Which might make a bit of a mess if you're not careful, or maybe even if you are.

In addition to that, I prefer using counter-pressure when filling growlers (and bottles) from kegs.

I use the straight part of a (sawed-off) plastic racking cane through a drilled stopper. By squeezing or slightly lifting/tilting the stopper it slowly releases air while filling the growler. IMO, the beer stays better carbonated that way.

Also, dropping the keg pressure to around 6-8 psi when filing the growler helps against (excessive) foaming.

Oh, and I just clamp the hose over the faucet, otherwise that faucet insert may pop out under counter-pressure.

 

[mac_1103]

that faucet insert may pop out under counter-pressure

Yeah, I don't think the insert is intended for counter-pressure. Seems like an either/or. I have Nukataps, so my growler filler attachment is a screw-in replacement spout with a barbed end.

 

[redrocker652002]

Good stuff, thanks folks.

 

[wepeeler]

You can fill growlers up to the brim with little to no foam using a simple picnic tap. I've had them stay carbed and O2 free for a month+. Using the PRV on your keg, depressurize it fully. Turn the CO2 back on for a few seconds (less than 4psi) so the beer can flow. Start the flow of beer and dump no more than a few ounces, then tilt your growler and fill slowly. It might take a min or 2 to fill, but continue to fill until all foam is out of growler and beer is spilling out. Once you get good at this, you're wasting no more than MAYBE 3 oz of beer. Fill growler to brim and cap.

 

[IslandLizard]

You can fill growlers up to the brim with little to no foam using a simple picnic tap. I've had them stay carbed and O2 free for a month+. Using the PRV on your keg, depressurize it fully. Turn the CO2 back on for a few seconds (less than 4psi) so the beer can flow. Start the flow of beer and dump no more than a few ounces, then tilt your growler and fill slowly. It might take a min or 2 to fill, but continue to fill until all foam is out of growler and beer is spilling out. Once you get good at this, you're wasting no more than MAYBE 3 oz of beer. Fill growler to brim and cap.

I often fill growlers with a picnic tap too. Yes, low pressure, slowly and tilted.

However, I jam that sawed-off plastic (acrylic?) racking cane I mentioned before into the picnic tap spout. It fits perfectly! Then fill the growler or bottle(s) from the bottom up, there's no splashing!
I still prefer using counter pressure though, the same method, but also using the drilled stopper. It's so easy!

 

[Cameronl]

Oh, and I just clamp the hose over the faucet, otherwise that faucet insert may pop out under counter-pressure.

I use one of these counter pressure fillers to fill bottles (doesn't work with growlers). It connects the same way, and I've never had it pop out.

 

[hottpeper13]

^^^^^^^