Bottling from a Keg

[gwcr]

Question for the keggers out here. Have any of you bottled any beer from your keg? If so, what is your method?

I may want to bottle a few from this keg to send away to a competition. Not really too fond of spending $75 for a beer gun, so looking for alternatives. When I get my growler filled, they just use a length of hose from the tap. Any reason why this wouldn't work for bottles too? Interested in everyone's thoughts.

[Beer-lord]

I did get a beer gun and only used it a few times but so far, so good.
However, many, many people have made a 'gun' themselves and it appears to be so easy, even Jeff did it. (sorry Jeff, just had to put that in there).
There are videos all over youtube but check this out first as it's very straight forward and descriptive:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/we-no-n ... gun-24678/

The main key is to remove all air and purge the bottle otherwise, it just won't last long and off flavors will develop quickly. The growler filler just won't do it.

[gwcr]

Thanks! On page 4 of 104 on that thread now. Looks to be a pretty simple DIY. Will probably give it a shot.

[Kealia]

That's what I use, too. Cheap and it works.

I've had an issue here or there when I've had it under-carbed. For me I've found the keys are:
1) Crank up the CO2 a bit for the few days proceeding bottling (2-4 psi) to over-carb a bit.

2) After filling the bottles, cap right away. Don't fill 6, then cap 6. I think too much CO2 escapes that way so I fill 1, cap it and move on. I never bottle more than a 6-pack typically so it doesn't take up a lot of time.

[gwcr]

Thanks Ron. The more I read about this one, the more I like it. I would only plan to bottle as I need it, maybe a week in advance. Mostly if I want to take it somewhere or enter a competition. Outside of 2.5 gallon batches, I don't really see me bottling much anymore.

[Kealia]

I can honestly say that I'm glad that I found that thread a while back. While I have no doubt that a beer gun works and works well to purge CO2 and control things well, this inexpensive solution has met my needs.

The other key point is to chill the bottles first (in the freezer) to avoid foaming. I don't get much if I don't, but I get zero foam (which translates to lost CO2) when I chill them.

[Inkleg]

Yeah the "No stinking beer gun" works great. Heck even I can bottle beer from the keg like that ( Paul).
I will do 4-6 at a time (works best for me). I'll stick the in a six pack holder to help keep them upright.

Best things to remember

Purge the keg.
Dial down the pressure.
Cap on the foam.
Colder bottles do help, but not necessary.

It's scary the first few times, then it seems to be no big deal. Practice it a few times and you will get the hang of it.
I kept one in the fridge for 4 months, carb level was just as good as it was in the keg.
Had a purge valve stick on Belas IPA that I sent to Ron. I could not vent it. So I put the bottle in a container surrounded in ice and bottled at 12 psi and it worked. So it's like brewing, you find ways to over come obstacles and carry on.