This is a first

[libirm]

Well I brewed a belgian dark strong- used the the right amount of water 5 gallons, I have one growler left over worth of beer after transferring to the secondary.
So I was thinking- can I add some priming sugar to the growler and "growler" condition this brew?
And if so- how much sugar do I add? If not what options?
Or do I add to the keg if there is room when I transfer it to the keg?

Thanks

 

[LLBeanJ]

I wouldn't. Most growlers are not designed to handle the pressures required for carbonation.

Edit: More...

Options:

1) Drink it
2) Add to keg if you have room
3) Put it in a plastic soda bottle and bottle condition with priming sugar.

 

[finsfan]

I also would advise to NOT carbonate in a growler. Another member here said he stored yeast in them at his brewery and one exploded in the fridge. Completely tore up the fridge and he said he was frightened by the amount of force it had to give off to do the damage it did.

 

[rodwha]

My friend has bottled in growlers extensively (flip top with thick glass). He even well overdid the carbonation and it made scary hissing sounds and tore up the seal.

Not knowing what your growler is like I can't say go for it, and they weren't designed with that in mind. I don't do it, but were I to I'd certainly only want a very low carbonated beer in it.

 

[libirm]

Thanks for the help,,I my ask a friend who bottles to bottle it for me...
What do you think a table spoon of priming suger, boiled in cup of water?

 

[rodwha]

You'll certainly want to boil the water for maybe 10-15 mins. Don't want oxygen. I often add a little extra water as my brews generally hit higher than the numbers.

You'll need to enter your info, but use this calculator:


http://www.northernbrewer.com/priming-sugar-calculator/

 

[Cyclman]

Use the growler as a 2nd secondary, if you have a spare airlock.

 

[libirm]

Calculator tells me how sugar but not the amount of water...or would you just drop sugar in beer and then bottle?

 

[CBMbrewer]

I have carbed in growlers several times. Flip top, 2 liters. I have even over carbed them and still had no problems. Use priming sugar as if your were bottling with 12oz or 22oz bottles.

 

[libirm]

Interesting...I have the porcelain top type growler....but let me ask...did you just put sugar in growler or mix it with some water first...

 

[libirm]

Oh yea..it is a 2 liter growler

 

[rodwha]

You could use just sugar, but you'll need to rock it back n forth until it's dissolved.

I'd use a little water to help, which will need to be boiled for maybe 5 mins or so to get rid of the oxygen.

I'm unsure about how much you have and how you are doing this...

 

[rodwha]

Hmmm… 5 gals and no bottling bucket? Kinda hard to regulate that. You really need a bottling bucket.

 

[libirm]

Well it's just 2 liters of brew...I think it should ok

 

[rodwha]

Is it just the 2 liters? I looked back and you mentioned 5 gals.

 

[libirm]

Sorry for any confusion...I brewed 5 gals. But had some left over, a first, it would not fit into my carboy, 2 liters left, didn't want to waste it. Looking for ideas, not sure it would fit in my kegs as they are 5gallons as we'll.
So bottling seems only option or growler, but I never bottled, always used a keg, thus I needed to ask for some advise.

 

[rodwha]

Ahhh… I've known of it to work on thick glasses flip tops. I'd just check out how much sugar it takes and try it (no water).

 

[libirm]

Thanks,rod what that's what I needed to know

 

[rodwha]

Make sure the glass is thick where the metal arms attach to the glass though.

 

[rodwha]

Maybe slightly under fill and slightly undercarb if you aren't certain. And keep an eye on it.

My friend's hissed and blew out the seal. obviously his glass was thick enough!

 

[rodwha]

With no water, just sugar and beer, you'll need to rock it gently back and forth until it's dissolved. it could take a moment.

 

[libirm]

Yes...good advise....I thought I please inside a plastic bucket ..just in case

 

[rodwha]

Good idea! Can't hurt, but try to arrange it so you can hear it. Assuming of course yours overcarbed would behave similarly...

 

[libirm]

We'll, so so good

 

[rodwha]

Good deal! But the test will be the second and third week.

If you notice a problem I've known that chilling it fast can reduce the pressure, and I'd guess a quick release of pressure after that may work well enough. I'm not really sure, but if nothing else the bomb will have been diffused.