Beer/bottling

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Expert: - 2/8/2007


Question
hello, i would like to ask a question about bottling... here goes. ive just started as a homebrewer and have a "kit". there is only one bucket/vat/keg thingy. the one the beer brews in.
the kit was a present and its pretty difficult to get home brew equipment where i am. how can i bottle the beer without having a big container to syphon it into first?
thanks a lot in advance,
pat

Answer
Pat,

You have a problem.  First I suggest that you purchase a second bucket (primary).  If that is out of the question you could use a large pot if you have one big enough.  Actually any container is okay as long as it is food grade and you sterilize it well before you transfer the batch.  

You could also break it down into smaller runs.  For instance you have 5 gallons in the fermenter and you only have a gallon pot.  You could fill the gallon pot, add 1/5th bottling sugar (the original amount divided by the container) and then bottle.  You would do this until the fermenter is empty.  It will take longer but it is do able.

The idea is to draw off the good wort and leave the trub (stuff on the bottom) behind.  For this reason I would not bottle directly from the primary.

Worst case you could fill each bottle from the primary and then add the correct amount of bottling sugar to each bottle.  

All in all I would suggest purchasing a second container. You can get one for around $7.00 which as you can see is well worth it.

I hope this has helped.  If not let me know and I will see what else I can think up.

Good Luck

Alan

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Alan Ward

Expertise

I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

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