Two kegs in and I'm sold using syrups for variety rocks!

[Roach]

The concept of making my own syrups is really appealing. I'm excited to give this a shot.

It's so much more rewarding!

Ask me if you have any questions about flavor extraction for soda, it's what I do!

 

[TomSD]

I'd be interested in hearing some of your recipes and techniques Roach.

 

[TomSD]

OK I'm officially a wimp, lol. The anise licorice root beer is kicking my butt. So, much like the concentrates before, I am down to 1 oz of syrup and 16 ozs of seltzer. At that mix it has a killer head, still has a great aroma/color and the taste isn't over powering to me. Guess that means anything I make will last much longer.

 

[TomSD]

OK just finished whipping up another batch of syrup. Was going for sarsaparilla but since sassafras is hard to find (banned by FDA) I swapped out licorice and, since I only had it on hand, I used light instead of dark brown sugar. Not sure how much I like the changes. The licorice taste is there but not enough and the light brown sugar doesn't impart as heavy a molasses vibe as the dark brown does. It is a weird halfway that messes up the balance and hurts the sarsaparilla flavor. Anyway here is what I used...

5.0 cups water
5 oz chopped dried sarsaparilla root
1 oz chopped dried licorice root
.3 oz chopped dried wintergreen
2 lbs light brown sugar (half a Sams Club sized bag that claimed to be approx 9.5 cups)
2 tbs maltodextrin (I did 2 heaping which was closer to 3)

Everything but the sugar and malto on a simmer for 15 minutes uncovered, add malto/sugar slowly until disolved, simmer another 2-3 minutes, let cool then strain into a container for storage. To mix use 1 part syrup, 3 parts seltzer. Using it at my normal concentration (about 1 oz syrup to 12 (or so) oz soda water) it isn't very strong but as mentioned it seems to be more the flavors being unbalanced. Going to try a ratio closer to the suggested one and see how it goes.

 

[presence]

Ive bought all the gear to properly carbonate soda, but after reading this forum, I'm interested in the "bayonet" from mcmaster discussed here. What specific item is this? Are people ordering them from mcmaster-carr?

If I could reduce the 35' of tubing down to something shorter, and that has less residual issues for tube reuse.

 

[TomSD]

Here's a thread about the bayonets...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/cure-your-short-hose-troubles-100151/

I have two in my soda keg and run my lines the same length as my beer lines (10' or so). I can swap kegs around freely with this setup which is great.

 

[presence]

Is this the setup for the flow restriction stuff?
Resistive Gate - Draft Beer Flow Control | Maltose Falcons

 

[TomSD]

Too damn much work, lol. They fit right in the out tube. I just dropped two down mine.

 

[presence]

Ah, ok, so you are placing them in the dip tube as described. Interesting. What PSI are you running? Do you leave it at the full ~30PSI or do you crank down? My understanding is that you generally turn down the PSI to about 4PSI without this arrangement to prevent unpleasantness.

 

[TomSD]

Mine stays at 30 PSI from the time it goes in until it kicks and it works great.

 

[A4J]

Man, this thread has been around since 2010 and I just finally found it (well, a month). I could've been enjoying this for that long. Thanks for posting. I'm only on my first quart of syrup and I'm thoroughly enjoying it!!

 

[mappler]

Syrups ordered!!

 

[TomSD]

I'm really getting a kick out of making my own. I'm due to put another batch together this week. I way overshot what I needed when I ordered herbs, lol. I have big bags of stuff that calls for tiny amounts.

 

[mappler]

Are you putting any maltodextrin in the water or in the syrup?

 

[TomSD]

I go straight water as I want to minimize the impact on my keezer's plumbing. I do add maltodextrin to my syrups though.

 

[mappler]

I carbed my water to 30 PSI (been set up for about 10 days now). Syrups were made tonight and we made a few drinks. It seems like it is "undercarbed". Of course, this is after it blows through faucet and foams a TON coming out. I'm not sure if I'm losing all the bubbles at dispensing time.

I elected not to add ADDITIONAL maltodextrin to the syrup, as I am using Splenda formulated as a cup replacement for sugar and I think it is mostly maltodextrin.

-Matt

 

[HomeBrewFoSho]

I carbed my water to 30 PSI (been set up for about 10 days now). Syrups were made tonight and we made a few drinks. It seems like it is "undercarbed". Of course, this is after it blows through faucet and foams a TON coming out. I'm not sure if I'm losing all the bubbles at dispensing time.

I elected not to add ADDITIONAL maltodextrin to the syrup, as I am using Splenda formulated as a cup replacement for sugar and I think it is mostly maltodextrin.

-Matt

I've noticed the same thing. Tons of carbonation while filling but it doesnt seem to last long with the syrup.

 

[TomSD]

You need to slow it down coming out of the tap. Either with longer hoses or inserting a couple bayonets (mentioned a couple times in this thread). The problem you are having is it is degassing most of the CO2 when you pour it.

 

[HomeBrewFoSho]

You need to slow it down coming out of the tap. Either with longer hoses or inserting a couple bayonets (mentioned a couple times in this thread). The problem you are having is it is degassing most of the CO2 when you pour it.

I'm using like 16ft of the 3/16 accuflex line right now. I thought that would be enough. I guess I'll have to try the plastic bayonetes.

 

[chutracheese]

What flavors do you guys like?
Sasp, and root beer seem popular.
Cola and Lemon Lime seem - ehhh...

Any other recommendations?

 

[mappler]

TomSD: You are right, I've got to slow it down. I've ordered some bayonets today. I tried a slightly longer beer line and it was better, so these will be perfect for all the reasons previously mentioned. Thank you.

Is anyone putting baking soda in the water before carbonating it? I read somewhere else that it is a common addition to raise the ph of the water, but saw nothing in this thread about it. I'm not sure why I want the ph higher...

I have tried the Sarsaparilla, Black Cherry, and Chocolate Malt. The kids picked the chocolate malt, which I was expecting not to like. It might be my favorite so far..... Good on its own and mixed with the black cherry. I've got Piña Colada, vanilla, and root beer waiting to be made as well. I'll give you a report as soon as we try them.

Matt

 

[TomSD]

I've been making my own lately. I started adding maltodextrin to my recipes too and love the body it adds.

 

[mappler]

Tom,
What sweetener are you using?
-Matt

 

[mappler]

Got my bayonets in the mail today. I'm assuming you just cut them out of the plastic holder and shove one down the dip tube? Thanks,
-Matt

 

[TomSD]

Got my bayonets in the mail today. I'm assuming you just cut them out of the plastic holder and shove one down the dip tube? Thanks,
-Matt

Yeah I dropped two down the dip tube of my water keg and it made a huge difference.

Tom,
What sweetener are you using?
-Matt

I use mostly raw sugar though I have been using agave in my tea and think I might give it a shot one of these days.

 

[mappler]

Bayonets worked like magic.....

 

[HomeBrewFoSho]

Bayonets worked like magic.....

Good to hear! I ordered mine yesterday.

 

[TomSD]

What I like the most about using bayonets is my plumbing is all the same so I don't have a special "soda" tap. I do always use tap four for my soda keg but it isn't because I have to. If something came up like a get together and I wanted four kegs on tap all I would need to do is swap out the kegs and not have to worry about line lengths or any other changes besides lowering the PSI.

 

[IrishBrewer74]

This thread rocks! Thanks for all the info and inspiration. I love sprecher root beer and it looks like their syrup is a strait 4 to 1 ratio. I'll be carbing up some water in the near future.

Question: I know soda can impart flavors to the seals in the kegs, but does beer do the same thing? In other words, should I change all my seals on a keg that I will use for carbonated water that has been used for beer up to this point?

 

[TomSD]

I have never noticed. I imagine some beers would but in general they aren't nearly as caustic as sodas so I'm thinking it isn't to the same degree.