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Fermentation under pressure by accident

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 1:51 pm
by Banjo-guy
I’m fermenting an IPA in a keg right now. I didn’t use an airlock or a blow off but loosened the relief valve to vent the Co2. Well it turns out that I wasn’t actually venting at all. I didn’t loosen the relief valve enough. When I pulled the relief valve a nice explosion of trub came shooting out from the loosened vent. I wonder how much pressure was in that keg after using Nottingham to bring the gravity from 1.058 to .989?

I just did my first fermentation under pressure. I definitely didn’t plan to do that.

Re: Fermentation under pressure by accident

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 2:31 pm
by Beer-lord
Might be carbed too! :)
I can't recall how much pressure a keg can handle but I think 150 psi but I hope you didn't make a mess or have your face too close to the valve.
If that reading is correct, you've just made a BRUT IPA!

Re: Fermentation under pressure by accident

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 4:00 pm
by Kealia
Wow, I bet that was a surprise. I'm sure there is a calculator out there somewhere that can determine the psi if you're interested, but yeah, you'll likely carb up quickly at this point! Glad it wasn't glass!!

Re: Fermentation under pressure by accident

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 8:56 pm
by bpgreen
If I remember correctly, when you carbonate naturally, it adds about .5% ABV (maybe less). So that batch is likely pretty overcarbonated. You will likely need to vent a few times before you can safely pour a pint.

Keep us posted.

Re: Fermentation under pressure by accident

Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2018 9:31 pm
by Banjo-guy
Beer-lord wrote:Might be carbed too! :)
I can't recall how much pressure a keg can handle but I think 150 psi but I hope you didn't make a mess or have your face too close to the valve.
If that reading is correct, you've just made a BRUT IPA!
I can’t wait to measure the final gravity. I’ve never had a beer finish that low. I used Nottingham and it only took 4 days finish.