Brewing Master

Question:

rec.crafts.brewing: Try polypins. In case they have a different name over there they are collapsible polythene "cubes" of various capacities , fitted with taps.

It’s what 2.5 gallons of bottled water comes in.  Use the water for brewing (you can get the analysis of most bottled waters on the web), and use the containers to hold the beer. — [Apparent Rennerian 567.7, 95.9] Al – rukbat at optonline dot net

Response:

No , polypins don’t have a safety valve bu they can distend alarmingly before they blow. Unfortunately the only way to relieve the pressure is to pour off a pint,,,,,,or two……or three.  Dreadful!

Response:

Anyone know where these can be had by mailorder / internet in the states? Steven

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No , polypins don’t have a safety valve bu they can distend alarmingly before they blow. Unfortunately the only way to relieve the pressure is to pour off a pint,,,,,,or two……or three.  Dreadful!

Response:

does anyone know of a source for polypins in the US? Steven

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try polypins. In case they have a different name over there they are collapsible polythene "cubes" of various capacities , fitted with taps. It’s a bit of a pain getting the last bit out though ! Wait till the beer has completely cleared in the secondary and transfer it to the polypin. Add an ounce of priming sugar per 5 UK or 6.25 US gallons and there you are. It only takes a couple of days and you’re in business.

Response:

Hello. I would like to start all-grain brewing, I have done a few beer kits in the past, but would like to produce something of a better quality. Also, I would like to cask condition the beer rather than bottle it, as I have done in the past. I have read a few books, and think I have a reasonable idea about the brewing process, but I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for suitable equipment. I have seen a 10 Gallon system advertised by ‘Hop and Grape’ in Darlington. Does anyone have any views on this or any other system? Also, I am not sure about how to condition the beer. I thought about using ‘Budget Barrels’ from the same supplier, but the general consensus from web pages seems to be for Cornelius Kegs. given that I don’t want to force carbonate my beer this seems excessive. In fact I would rather not add any CO2 to the cask, but would some sort of blanket pressure system help the beer to keep for longer? — Owain Roberts

Response:

Try polypins. In case they have a different name over there they are collapsible polythene "cubes" of various capacities , fitted with taps. It’s a bit of a pain getting the last bit out though ! Wait till the beer has completely cleared in the secondary and transfer it to the polypin. Add an ounce of priming sugar per 5 UK or 6.25 US gallons and there you are. It only takes a couple of days and you’re in business.

Response:

I have read a few books, and think I have a reasonable idea about the brewing process, but I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for suitable equipment. I have seen a 10 Gallon system advertised by ‘Hop and Grape’ in Darlington. Does anyone have any views on this or any other system?

I can’t comment on the H&G system, not having used one but they seem to have a good reputation. I use a cooler box mash tun and have a Burco tea urn as a boiler though you can use a plastic bucket with a kettle element as an economical alternative. Also, I am not sure about how to condition the beer. I thought about using ‘Budget Barrels’ from the same supplier, but the general consensus from web pages seems to be for Cornelius Kegs. given that I don’t want to force carbonate my beer this seems excessive. In fact I would rather not add any CO2 to the cask, but would some sort of blanket pressure system help the beer to keep for longer?

The budget barrels should be fine. Usually plastic kegs have a valve on the lid so you can give a very short blast of CO2, not to force carbonate but to prevent oxidisation from air glooping up through the tap if there’s not sufficient pressure left in the keg. Polypins are a cheap alternative  but don’t have a safety valve so take care not to over prime. Give H&G a ring or go in a discuss things with them. I’m sure they’d be only too happy to help. — Andy Davison

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