Aging brew question

[Ondori]

I brewed up a barley wine 3 weeks ago, and I transfered it to an open better bottle I had. The thing is, it's a 6 gallon vessel, and I have seen that you want as little head space as possible while aging/conditioning. Do you think it'll be fine with about a gallons worth of head space, or should I go pick up a 5 gal vessel and transfer to avoid oxidation?

 

[forstmeister]

If you've already transferred I wouldn't do it again to avoid oxidation. You can put a bunch of sanitized marbles in sacks in the carboy to displace the headspace. It might take a bunch though.

 

[Ondori]

That's good idea. I think I would need to spend about as much in marbles as I would for a 5 gallon vessel lol I will have to look into that

 

[forstmeister]

Here's a strange idea. What about a big balloon? Sanitize it and put it in deflated. The inflate it until you have no headspace? Might affect flavor though... Maybe just a bad idea after all.

 

[SavoryChef]

If you have a co2 tank, just put a layer of co2 on your beer.

 

[Ondori]

Ohhh! I do have co2. I'll do that Thanks

 

[SavoryChef]

Just test it with a lighter, if it goes out your good to go

 

[frankos]

It seems some of the simple answers are not only the most difficult to come by, they are also the best.
It makes learning a joy.
I'll drink to that

 

[Bostonbrewin63]

Here's a strange idea. What about a big balloon? Sanitize it and put it in deflated. The inflate it until you have no headspace? Might affect flavor though... Maybe just a bad idea after all.

Lol! Love how you had a great idea at the beginning an then talked yourself out of it. Haha.

 

[forstmeister]

Lol! Love how you had a great idea at the beginning an then talked yourself out of it. Haha.

It would have easier to delete the text and skip the post but I thought someone would appreciate the thought process.

 

[Bostonbrewin63]

It would have easier to delete the text and skip the post but I thought someone would appreciate the thought process.

An I thought I was the only one who does this....lol