Took a Yeasty Shower

Brewing Processes
1

I was bottling off some NHC entries last night, using my “counter-pressure filler”, aka racking cane shoved through a stopper. When I got to the fifth and final bottle, I could tell the keg was about to blow. No problem, I thought, this one may be a little yeasty but it’ll settle out. I got it filled (barely) and bled off the head pressure as usual, then pulled the filler out. Normally at this point there’s some foam but I have time to get it capped without losing much, if any beer.

Apparently that isn’t the case with all those little yeast flocs providing nucleation sites. As soon as there was a path out, the beer geysered like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I let the bottle settle down while I was cleaning, and literally only ~3 fl oz of beer was left. The rest ended up on the table, floor, walls, dog… I was soaked from the waist up. I thought I got it all cleaned up but this morning I found some on the vaulted ceiling, about 22 feet up. I guess I’ll be re-brewing this one.

No particular reason for sharing other than that it’s a potentially funny story and maybe a PSA: don’t counter-pressure bottle yeasty beer.

2

I had this happen once when I thought I could build a “counter pressure filler” for a growler.  A geyser of beer 6 inches wide hit the ceiling.

3

I can relate to it. :slight_smile:

4

My wife once tried to help me fill bottles with a counter pressure filler.  We had more beer on the walls and ceiling than in bottles, so she bought me a Beergun.  That was a very wise investment.

5

Been there, done that and the T shirt still probably has yeast on it. The zen of bottling…become one with your yeast.

I must say 22’ is impressive. Would you possibly mind setting up the video before you attempt that again. I really feel I learn better visually. :wink:

6

So I think I must be doing something wrong when I use the stopper in the racking cane CPBF. I have gotten little spritzes but never 22’!

What PSI are you dispensing at?

7

14 psig (26 psia), same as always.

8

I do the stopper and cane method at about 2 psi and no messy problems. But I feel your pain… 8)