Comments on: Better Beer with The Burton Union Blow-off Method http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ Get weekly articles on home brewing, beer styles, and making beer recipes Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:04:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bruce Bowman http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-19431 Bruce Bowman Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:04:20 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-19431 This article is mistitled. There is no Burton Union in the photo, and the method described does not use a Burton Union. It's just a generic blow-off method. Nothing wrong with that, but I am irritated to have an irrelevant article show up in a web search on Burton Unions. This article is mistitled. There is no Burton Union in the photo, and the method described does not use a Burton Union. It’s just a generic blow-off method.

Nothing wrong with that, but I am irritated to have an irrelevant article show up in a web search on Burton Unions.

]]> By: When/How to do a Blowoff? - Page 2 - Home Brew Forums http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-14722 When/How to do a Blowoff? - Page 2 - Home Brew Forums Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:20:27 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-14722 [...] Originally Posted by uechikid If you're not using a 6.5 gallon carboy as your primary fermenter you should. Then the need for a blow off tube will only arise when you make really high gravity beers. When I do need a blow off tube I use tubing that just fits into the opening of the carboy (smaller tubing can still get clogged). The other end goes into a bucket with sterilizing solution. That is more of a preference, I like the blow off method to purge some things for me (also a preference). The blow-off method is solid and works fine, no need to spend more $ on another carboy (I'm also frugal). A $2 tube will be enough. http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ [...] [...] Originally Posted by uechikid If you're not using a 6.5 gallon carboy as your primary fermenter you should. Then the need for a blow off tube will only arise when you make really high gravity beers. When I do need a blow off tube I use tubing that just fits into the opening of the carboy (smaller tubing can still get clogged). The other end goes into a bucket with sterilizing solution. That is more of a preference, I like the blow off method to purge some things for me (also a preference). The blow-off method is solid and works fine, no need to spend more $ on another carboy (I'm also frugal). A $2 tube will be enough. http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ [...]

]]> By: fermenter size vs batch size. - Home Brew Forums http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-14511 fermenter size vs batch size. - Home Brew Forums Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:45:11 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-14511 [...] Burton Blow Off Method, the disadvantage I see is that you could potentially lose a lot of beer. http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ __________________ "Prohibition makes you want to cry into your beer, and denies you the [...] [...] Burton Blow Off Method, the disadvantage I see is that you could potentially lose a lot of beer. http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ __________________ "Prohibition makes you want to cry into your beer, and denies you the [...]

]]> By: first 5 gallon batch - Home Brew Forums http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-13979 first 5 gallon batch - Home Brew Forums Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:45:31 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-13979 [...] hope it does blow off. That's what the big tube is for. http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ __________________ Arron - quality over quantity beer [...] [...] hope it does blow off. That's what the big tube is for. http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/ __________________ Arron – quality over quantity beer [...]

]]> By: tymekeepyr http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-12105 tymekeepyr Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:11:30 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-12105 I have been using a blow-off tube since the second batch of beer I brewed about 5 years ago. I use it for all styles of beer that I make. I switch out a fermentation lock for a blow-off tube as soon as I see activity. I wouldn't say it is a necessity, nor would I say that it's harmful. I use 6.5 gal. carboys for primary, usually getting 5.5 gallons into the fermentor (1/2 gal. or so winds up as cold break, etc) so there is about a gallon of headspace. Not all of my beers krauesen the same. In fact, some do not even get high enough to reach the tube. However, when I recycle a yeast cake (very primitive, mind you. I just run my cooled wort into a carboy that I have racked the beer out of)I usually get a pretty "violent" fermentation within an hour or two. It is much more robust than pitching from a Wyeast smack pack, lots of krauesen travels through the tube and I find it almost a necessity when using this method. As far as blowing out too much yeast, I don't think that it could ever happen. The population of yeast in the wort at peak fermentation is ridiculous. I would wager that you would have to blow out the whole batch (i.e. empty the carboy) for this to happen since if it is actively fermenting, the yeast has not flocculated. All said, I have never had (knocking on wood here) a contaminated wort by using this method. A friend that also brews with me does not use this method as much and I have noticed that we can both brew the same beer (splitting a 10 batch) and the one using the blow-off method seems to be a bit crisper and clears out a bit faster. I have been using a blow-off tube since the second batch of beer I brewed about 5 years ago. I use it for all styles of beer that I make. I switch out a fermentation lock for a blow-off tube as soon as I see activity. I wouldn’t say it is a necessity, nor would I say that it’s harmful. I use 6.5 gal. carboys for primary, usually getting 5.5 gallons into the fermentor (1/2 gal. or so winds up as cold break, etc) so there is about a gallon of headspace. Not all of my beers krauesen the same. In fact, some do not even get high enough to reach the tube.

However, when I recycle a yeast cake (very primitive, mind you. I just run my cooled wort into a carboy that I have racked the beer out of)I usually get a pretty “violent” fermentation within an hour or two. It is much more robust than pitching from a Wyeast smack pack, lots of krauesen travels through the tube and I find it almost a necessity when using this method.

As far as blowing out too much yeast, I don’t think that it could ever happen. The population of yeast in the wort at peak fermentation is ridiculous. I would wager that you would have to blow out the whole batch (i.e. empty the carboy) for this to happen since if it is actively fermenting, the yeast has not flocculated.

All said, I have never had (knocking on wood here) a contaminated wort by using this method. A friend that also brews with me does not use this method as much and I have noticed that we can both brew the same beer (splitting a 10 batch) and the one using the blow-off method seems to be a bit crisper and clears out a bit faster.

]]> By: Highprof http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-11584 Highprof Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:02:12 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-11584 I have been using the blow off method out of necessity, I only have 22 liter carboys so there is not enough space for the five gallon batch and active fermentation if a small airlock is used. I get quite a bit of blow off in the first 3 to 4 days, depending on the type of yeast used. My question is... Since ale yeasts are top fermenting is there any danger of too much blow off reducing the amount of yeast left in the carboy to ferment the beer? I have been using the blow off method out of necessity, I only have 22 liter carboys so there is not enough space for the five gallon batch and active fermentation if a small airlock is used. I get quite a bit of blow off in the first 3 to 4 days, depending on the type of yeast used.

My question is… Since ale yeasts are top fermenting is there any danger of too much blow off reducing the amount of yeast left in the carboy to ferment the beer?

]]> By: Two in a row. Airlocks to the ceiling. - Page 2 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-10773 Two in a row. Airlocks to the ceiling. - Page 2 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:43:24 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10773 [...] is what I want to try next for a blow off, "Burton union Blow off" __________________ Next in line: Kentucky by the sea common, Triple Claussenii [...] [...] is what I want to try next for a blow off, "Burton union Blow off" __________________ Next in line: Kentucky by the sea common, Triple Claussenii [...]

]]> By: Brewologist http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-10474 Brewologist Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:20:35 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10474 I've used the blow off method only for a few brews I've produced. I think I will try out your idea for a test Brewmeister. It should be easy to do a control test by brewing a small 2 gallon batch and splitting into two 1 gallon fermenters. A little less in the one which will not be using the blow-off tube. I'll have to do the test and post the results on my blog. Not sure that the blow off method is a must if you want really good beer. There are homebrewers out there brewing great beers without it, even winning some contests I'd bet. Doesn't the blow off method apply to mostly high gravity ales? I’ve used the blow off method only for a few brews I’ve produced. I think I will try out your idea for a test Brewmeister. It should be easy to do a control test by brewing a small 2 gallon batch and splitting into two 1 gallon fermenters. A little less in the one which will not be using the blow-off tube. I’ll have to do the test and post the results on my blog.

Not sure that the blow off method is a must if you want really good beer. There are homebrewers out there brewing great beers without it, even winning some contests I’d bet.

Doesn’t the blow off method apply to mostly high gravity ales?

]]> By: Brad Smith http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-10408 Brad Smith Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:40:50 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10408 Well, everyone has different opinions, but several authors including Papazian and John Palmer note that the tannins and resins at the top of the krausen can create astringent flavors that can be mitigated by skimming the krausen or using the blow off method described here. If you look on the web for terms like "skimming krausen" you will find quite a few references to this effect and technique. But as always - the beer is yours so brew as you like and enjoy what you brew. Well, everyone has different opinions, but several authors including Papazian and John Palmer note that the tannins and resins at the top of the krausen can create astringent flavors that can be mitigated by skimming the krausen or using the blow off method described here. If you look on the web for terms like “skimming krausen” you will find quite a few references to this effect and technique. But as always – the beer is yours so brew as you like and enjoy what you brew.

]]> By: Brewmeisterintng http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2009/10/10/better-beer-with-the-burton-union-blow-off-method/comment-page-1/#comment-10407 Brewmeisterintng Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:27:06 +0000 http://www.beersmith.com/blog/?p=32#comment-10407 I think that the author missed the mark. There is no proof that top fermenting kraeusen contains junk that would provide an undesirable off flavor brew as related by the numerous brew forums I reviewed. If memory serves me correctly, the Burton Union device was developed to collect yeast at high Kraeusen returning fermenting wort/ beer back to the main vessel. Go ahead and test the theory… brew two batches. I bet you will have a hard time discerning which brew was truly better. If you want to give the author’s method a try… please feel free to do so. I am pleased with the clarity and quality of my brew without complicating or subjecting it to needless potential exposure. There are those who do not secondary/ bright tank. This method of “collecting” may be beneficial to those who choose not to transfer off the yeast cake. I think that the author missed the mark. There is no proof that top fermenting kraeusen contains junk that would provide an undesirable off flavor brew as related by the numerous brew forums I reviewed. If memory serves me correctly, the Burton Union device was developed to collect yeast at high Kraeusen returning fermenting wort/ beer back to the main vessel. Go ahead and test the theory… brew two batches. I bet you will have a hard time discerning which brew was truly better.
If you want to give the author’s method a try… please feel free to do so. I am pleased with the clarity and quality of my brew without complicating or subjecting it to needless potential exposure.
There are those who do not secondary/ bright tank. This method of “collecting” may be beneficial to those who choose not to transfer off the yeast cake.

]]>