We no need no stinking beer gun...

[BansheeRider]

I used this method and it worked great! I tested a beer five days after bottling and it was still carbonated. I changed one thing however, I used my spare bottling wand rather than a cut racking cane. If you have a bottling wand just connect it to the picnic tap and you're set.

 

[hunter_le five]

I bottled a case last weekend, and I don't think I lost any carbonation at all. This method worked like a champ. I was *this* close to dropping a bunch of money on a Blichmann beer gun setup, but now I'm glad I didn't!

 

[golphur]

Kind of answering my own question. Via HBT user forstmeister, found an adapter for the Krome faucets here:

http://www.homebrewing.org/Jug-growler-filler_p_1682.html

Ordered one today. You can follow this Krome faucet specific thread here:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/growler-filler-krome-faucets-378538/

I'll post results there after I get the adapter and fill a few bottles.

 

[MGBBob80]

I bottled four days ago and popped one just to see... I did not get the "pfffft" and CO2 cloud that one gets from a beer carbonated in the bottle, but the beer itself was properly carbonated and went down well. Previous entries say this is normal. I'll do another "test" (if I can wait that long) next Saturday and post my results. Of note: I did not chill my bottles prior to filling. Will do so next time to see the difference.

 

[kapbrew13]

I bottled four days ago and popped one just to see... I did not get the "pfffft" and CO2 cloud that one gets from a beer carbonated in the bottle, but the beer itself was properly carbonated and went down well. Previous entries say this is normal. I'll do another "test" (if I can wait that long) next Saturday and post my results. Of note: I did not chill my bottles prior to filling. Will do so next time to see the difference.

Chilling bottles slows the co2 release from the liquid.

 

[limulus]

My stuff arrived yesterday to make my filler. Tonight I tried the Perlick adapter and it would not fit. I'll try it again tomorrow with some keg lube. Has anyone else tried one of these fittings for the 525 SS?

 

[oasisbliss]

Question, after bottling with your method and I give the bottles to friends, will it be ok if the bottles get back to room temp for awhile before going into the fridge?

 

[anico4704]

Is there any reason instead of a racking cane that you cannot use a piece of tubing to put over the picnic tap spout?

I just thought this may be a little easier so you dont have to deal with jamming the racking cane into the picnic tap? Any issues?

 

[BansheeRider]

Question, after bottling with your method and I give the bottles to friends, will it be ok if the bottles get back to room temp for awhile before going into the fridge?

In think warm beer will loose carbonation after a while.

 

[BansheeRider]

Is there any reason instead of a racking cane that you cannot use a piece of tubing to put over the picnic tap spout?

I just thought this may be a little easier so you dont have to deal with jamming the racking cane into the picnic tap? Any issues?

The racking cane fits perfectly, and so does a bottling wand. They key is to have a drilled stopper that fits, this would be difficult with tubing I would think.

 

[kapbrew13]

Question, after bottling with your method and I give the bottles to friends, will it be ok if the bottles get back to room temp for awhile before going into the fridge?

Sure. Some of the co2 may escape the liquid if there is space for the co2 to escape. Shouldn't impact the carb level too much .

 

[anico4704]

The racking cane fits perfectly, and so does a bottling wand. They key is to have a drilled stopper that fits, this would be difficult with tubing I would think.

Got it thanks for the response. I will go with the racking cane then. All the supplies are in my cart for like 5 bucks. Awesome!

 

[Toy4Rick]

I don't use the cork, use a beer line about 14-16 inches long and have 1 epoxy mixer stick in the dip tube and it works great. Holds plenty of carb and easy peasy

Toy4Rick

 

[diS]

I am having real trouble with bottling "big head" beers.
Few days ago I tried to bottle Scotch Ale and decided to give up after 3 bottles: due to big foaming issue it was impossible to get 1" head space in bottle, instead it was rather 3-4" of space after foam settled. Cooling the bottles didn't help..
I had same problem with stout..

It works great for other (light) beers. I drop the temperature night before to 38F and lower bottling pressure to 3-5 psi, bottle with 6 feet hose (0.20" ID) and use drilled stopper to build pressure in bottle.

Anyone have similar issues with bottling beers with big head?

 

[kapbrew13]

I am having real trouble with bottling "big head" beers.
Few days ago I tried to bottle Scotch Ale and decided to give up after 3 bottles: due to big foaming issue it was impossible to get 1" head space in bottle, instead it was rather 3-4" of space after foam settled. Cooling the bottles didn't help..
I had same problem with stout..

It works great for other (light) beers. I drop the temperature night before to 38F and lower bottling pressure to 3-5 psi, bottle with 6 feet hose (0.20" ID) and use drilled stopper to build pressure in bottle.

Anyone have similar issues with bottling beers with big head?

I usually set the pressure to less then 3. Whatever gets me a nice slooowwww flow and purge the keg right before bottling.

 

[diS]

Why do you purge it night before?
You think pressure is still too high if we purge it before bottling and set regulator around 3?

 

[hunter_le five]

Why do you purge it night before?

Ex: If you've been force-carbing at 12 PSI and do not purge first, then the beer is going to come out at 12 PSI from the pressure that is in the keg. It doesn't matter if you just dropped the regulator all the way down to 3 psi, there is still 12 PSI in the keg. Therefore you need to release all the pressure, and then repressurize to 3 PSI. The slower you go with the flow, the less carbonation you'll lose.

Also, I don't know if it makes any difference, but I use 8' if beer line on mine. Works like a champ.

You think pressure is still too high if we purge it before bottling and set regulator around 3?

Sounds perfect.

 

[diS]

Sure, I always vent the keg and then set the regulator to get slowest but still reasonable flow.
Most beers are not a problem, it is just brews with big head.. Suppose I still have to manage my process and setup, 1st thing will be to try with longer beer line.

 

[kapbrew13]

Sure, I always vent the keg and then set the regulator to get slowest but still reasonable flow.
Most beers are not a problem, it is just brews with big head.. Suppose I still have to manage my process and setup, 1st thing will be to try with longer beer line.

What do you do with the bottles before filling? Mine is saniter/ice bath. Freezing cold. Brrr

 

[JUST_BREW_IT]

very nice!

 

[diS]

What do you do with the bottles before filling? Mine is saniter/ice bath. Freezing cold. Brrr

Usually nothing and everything went just fine, but this time (due to foaming issues) I put them in freezer and it didn't help..
There has to be some catch, I am suspecting on pressure/line length.

 

[kapbrew13]

Usually nothing and everything went just fine, but this time (due to foaming issues) I put them in freezer and it didn't help..
There has to be some catch, I am suspecting on pressure/line length.

Could try long hose. I like my 8' hose. Experimentation is part of the fun of brewing.

 

[allenH]

I did not freeze any of the bottles I did (+/- 110 bottles in 2 nights). I used a 10' line the first night and it foamed like crazy. The second night, I switched to a 5' line and they filled perfectly. Both nights my kegs were purged and the regulator was set at 3psi, it does take some experimentation.

 

[Toy4Rick]

My beer line is ~16 inches, set reg to 1-2 psi, purge the keg and fill into frozen bottles. If I get a bit of foam, just fill until the liquid reaches the top then stop. Once the filler tube is removed the headspace is perfect. Cap after every 2 bottles to avoid any foam buildup

Works like a charm
Rick

 

[kombat]

My beer line is ~16 inches, set reg to 1-2 psi, purge the keg and fill into frozen bottles.

Huh?!? Did you just say your beer line is barely a foot and a half long???

 

[kapbrew13]

Huh?!? Did you just say your beer line is barely a foot and a half long???

I think the ~ means +/- 12 inches.

 

[Toy4Rick]

Sorry I should not have guessed, it's actually 17 inches, total. This is used for filling bottles or glasses. I don't have any longer lines

 

[HoppyDaze]

Sorry I should not have guessed, it's actually 17 inches, total. This is used for filling bottles or glasses. I don't have any longer lines

You need a real beer line ...

 

[Toy4Rick]

You need a real beer line ...

Really why is that. My Hef will pour 20oz in about 30 secs with 1/2 in. of head and is perfectly carb'd

Don't hate cuz it's cool to be short

Rick

 

[limulus]

For anyone looking for Perlick 525ss fitting, I found one that works. I had purchased one that turned out to be too large for my 525ss taps. That particular model had black o-rings. The one that fits has red o-rings and can be purchased on ebay. I tried it and it fit w/o any leaking. The one at homebrewing.org turned out to be too large. They gladly took it back and are still one of my favorite vendors for keg stuff.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320896717175?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649