My bottling game is weak. During last nights bottling session I made a mess. I siphon from the primary into 500ml bottles. After sucking on the tube, I kept spraying beer everywhere as I tried to attach the tube to the bottling wand. The flow was rubbish (I think I kept getting hops stuck in the racking cane). I was at a weird, uncomfortable angle trying to hold the racking cane straight and the bottling wand in the bottle. I kept disturbing the sediment. Plus I struggled to see how much beer I was putting in, etc.
There are two options that appeal:
1. Get a bottling bucket
I have heard these are basically buckets with a tap a couple of inches from the bottom. As I understand, the tap has a cane that goes into the bottle and you simply turn the tap on to release the beer into the bottle. Sounds perfectly easy.
One question: Can I use the bucket as a primary fermentor too? As I dont do a secondary this would mean I can do fermenting and bottling from one bucket if so.
2. Dispense with bottles and get a keg
I guess with these I would need to add some sugar liquid to the keg for conditioning and carbonation? (I currently use the carbonation drops - one per bottle). Also, doesnt the keg have a lot air space in it? (I only make 2.5 gallon batches to start with, plus air space is obviously created as beer is consumed).
Grateful for any thoughts or advice from anyone.
Ross
There are two options that appeal:
1. Get a bottling bucket
I have heard these are basically buckets with a tap a couple of inches from the bottom. As I understand, the tap has a cane that goes into the bottle and you simply turn the tap on to release the beer into the bottle. Sounds perfectly easy.
One question: Can I use the bucket as a primary fermentor too? As I dont do a secondary this would mean I can do fermenting and bottling from one bucket if so.
2. Dispense with bottles and get a keg
I guess with these I would need to add some sugar liquid to the keg for conditioning and carbonation? (I currently use the carbonation drops - one per bottle). Also, doesnt the keg have a lot air space in it? (I only make 2.5 gallon batches to start with, plus air space is obviously created as beer is consumed).
Grateful for any thoughts or advice from anyone.
Ross