Topics

1

Kegging and Bottling / oxygen absorbing caps

« on: December 11, 2012, 04:51:05 PM »

Hi, All:

I brewed a couple of high-gravity Christmas brews too late for this year (I like to let my beers bottle-condition for at least one month) so I'll tuck them away for next year.

I typically use the standard crown caps, which I sterilize in vodka, and -- knock on wood -- I have never had oxidation problems with the beers I have stored for weeks, months, or even a year or two.  But I thought I would try the oxygen-absorbing caps for my Christmas beers.  I gather the ingredient used to absorb the O2 is ascorbic acid, it needs to be wet to work, and it takes several hours or days.

Reading previous fora on the topic indicates there are many diverse opinions on the oxygen-absorbing caps.  Some people advocate sterilizing them; others recommend against it.  Some people recommend turning the bottles upside down once immediately after bottling to "activate" the caps.  Some people claim their beers are undercarbonated when they use the caps; others swear by the caps, especially when it comes to preserving hop aroma/flavor.

I would be interested in hearing from people who have experience (both good and bad) with these caps.

Thanks, and have a safe and happy holiday season.





 

2

Equipment and Software / Danby Wine Bottle Cooler for Fermenting Carboys?

« on: May 12, 2011, 11:49:58 AM »

Hi, All:  I enjoyed the "Cheap Fermentation Temp Control?" thread/pics -- very informative.  I might go that route. It certainly is affordable!  I, too, live in an apartment -- in DC (hot summers, not particularly cold winters).  I have a large walk-in storage room where I ferment my beers.  There's no AC or heat or windows in the room and the temperature doesn't fluctuate much -- which is good -- but it doesn't get much below 70 degrees F.   So I'm wondering if anyone has experience using a wine bottle cooler for fermenting beers?  Danby has a 34-bottle single temperature zone cooler (DWC1534BLS) with removable shelves.  It's narrow but looks like it could fit a 6.5 gallon carboy with an airlock or even a blow-off hose.  The temperature control (39-64 degrees F.) will be more precise.  Thanks for your input.