Sampling from a brite without a port

[sativen]

I think my stone may either be clogged up, or loose and leaking giant bubbles, because I can't hear it flowing like I could on my previous 4 batches.

So, I need to take a sample to check carb (by taste, no meter yet). I don't have a side port other than the stone. I've got a top CIP port, a PRV, and a capped tri-clamp on top, and the bottom center drain.
Should I just hook up a 10 foot length of 1/4 or 3/16 line to the bottom port and do it that way, or is there a better method?

Thanks,

Steve Llewellyn
Function Brewing
Bloomington, Indiana

[BrewinLou]

I would put a T on the bottom of the tank and one side have a butterfly with hot liquor behind it, and on the other have a sample port mounted to a 1.5" triclamp fitting. From there use a Zahm to test, or a pigtail to do the old mouth feel if you do not have a Zahm. One thing when you pasteurize the port let it cool down before sampling, the heat will force all the carbonation out instantly, or maybe drain a half gallon off first to cool the fittings down. Best of luck.

Sorry missed the no meter. Do you have a pigtail? How about a triclamp fitting that is closer to 3/16? The problem with a 10 length of hose is it will take a long time for the beer to cool that down, the hose acts a an insulator. The beer will lose temp and dissolved co2 cooling the line down. But if that is all you have... How about a small cornie keg? You could run a gallon off into a small cold keg under pressure and sample it through your draft system?

[sativen]

Joel,

Thanks for the response.
To clarify, are you saying to use the hot liquor to pausterize the outlet on the brite, then taking a sample?..... Half gallon? That's a big chunk of a 3BBL batch

I can either rig up a pigtail, or I do have some cornies around. I suppose I could submerge the 10 ft line in a bucket of iced water to make sure I don't lose temp.

[froptus]

Hi there,

Buy a sample valve from GW Kent and hook it up to your bottom center drain valve. This is how I check the carbonation on all of our single walled serving tanks that don't have sample ports.

Oops sorry I missed the part about no meter. Yes your best bet is a pigtail.


Good luck.

[BrewinLou]

One way or another your going to have to spend a little money, or lose a little beer in the name of quality control. The cheapest option (it will rely on your tongue's consistence) I can think of in your case would be to, buy a triclover sample port, and a pigtail. Spray your tanks bottom drain with Pure Grain, clamp on the sample port, screw down your pigtail on the sample port and pour yourself a pint. You will only lose a few pints to tune in your carbonation. I would buy a sixer of your favorite beer to have a base to judge against. Best of luck.