Transferring from swing top to capped bottle??

Brewing Processes
1

I put in for the National Home Brew competition and I was selected.  However, I had bottled a stout about 2 months ago not thinking about the competition.  I only have them bottled in swing tops and reading the directions the judges won’t accept them.  I need to transfer my stout to a capped bottle and I didn’t know if there was anyone out there who has had to do the same thing and then tell me what you did and how it turned out.

Thanks!!

2

I’ve done similar things.  The trick is to get everything really cold, nearly frozen, so you don’t lose too much carbonation.  If you have CO2 you could also purge the empty bottles before slowly pouring the beer into them.

3

If you don’t have CO2, maybe get slightly smaller bottles too so you can fill right up to the top? Judges will note a high fill, but it shouldn’t affect your score and the lack of headspace will help maintain carbonation after transfer and eliminate oxygen.

The bottles have to be 10oz, so 11.2oz bottles that many breweries use now would work. Guinness draft bottles have shrink wrapped labels that you can CUT off, very easy.

4

I don’t have CO2, so that is not an option.  I understand what you are saying, but do I need to introduce and priming sugar?

Thanks for the help.

5

if you are very gentle, and get everything cold, you might be able to get away with out additional priming. If you have enough I would try one right now, put it aside for a week and then crack it open and see how it is. if the carbonation is too low, add a tiny charge of priming sugar next and get it warm for a few days.

6

Awesome!  Thanks for the help!