Author Topic: Elderflower Champagne and pressure barrels (Read 7304 times)

Dans · « **on:** May 26, 2013, 09:17:32 pm »

Hi all

My friend requested that I try making some elderflower champagne for her wedding which was this weekend. We tried 2 test runs, using Ikea swing tops and champagne bottles and the final batch went down a treat at the wedding.

Our own wedding is in 5 weeks and I'd very much like to do this again for then. Unfortunately we have a large number of people and would rather not do tons and tons of bottles so I wasn't sure if this would work in a pressure barrel served from there?

Has anyone tried this before? I'm guessing it would work in the same way as serving beer from a pressure barrel but can't find any mention of anyone trying this on the interwebs.

Dans

Greenerlife · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2013, 10:33:13 pm »

I've always found that pressure barrels do not live up to their name! I have frequently had the taps burst on me, or the plastic just expand which the manufacturers say is impossible. Difficult if you don't have a fall back position in terms of drink for our wedding! Even with beer, I now have drilled the top and put an airlock in it before bottling. It's probably worth trying thoughh - I know I get fed up with the fuss of bottling! Good luck!

Ina · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2013, 06:15:05 am »

Can't help with advice... But a little story: the one time I made elderflower champagne (many years ago) I decided to follow a recipe, because it was the first time I was making it, and used screw top bottles as stipulated in that particular recipe! In the middle of one dark night there was this almighty bang in my kitchen - one bottle exploded, shards of glass everywhere, sticky champagne on every surface - oh the joys of homemade wine...

The other two bottles were quickly drunk, and were excellent.

So my only advice would be, don't use screw top bottles. Or at least use plastic ones.

Tregwyr · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2013, 10:44:01 pm »

Off subject, but I would love to know how to make elderflower champagne!

Dans · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2013, 10:57:47 pm »

We have a batch the didn't work so will transfer to the barrel and see how it pours in a couple of weeks. Will let you guys know.

The flip top bottles work well Ina, although when it we knew we would have them in the bottles for a while we released some pressure regularly.

Will post a new post for Elderflower champagne in a new thread Tregwyr, it's dead simple.

Dans

Dans · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2013, 01:15:44 am »

Batch poured into the barrel half way through didn't work and neither did a batch put straight into the barrel rather than bottles. Both of the barrels developed a slight crack near the cap causing the gas to escape. To be fair these were 30 year old barrels so they may have been weak to start with . If anyone does try it with new barrels let me know!

Dans

FiB · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2013, 10:46:11 am »

No barrel experience but have used big pop bottles when I've wanted big batches (but I only let them go a couple of weeks)- I have looked at them twice a day though and let out some pressure when they look like they are about to blow! I also have some massive 2 or 3 l?)swing tops from lakeland - they are sider demijohn shape with swigging handle. Other alternative - are you anywhere near a tourist café that serves traditional lemonade etc in swing tops - ours does and used to just throw away the bottles!!! They save them for me now So I have amassed a mahoooosive collection of single serving swing tops! Shame you aren't closer or you could borrow them. Good luck - how exciting!!!!