Mr. Beer

[Captain Fleshbeard]

So for Christmas last year my aunt bought me some Mr. Beer kits. She knows i brew beer but instead of the Brewer's Best 5 gallon kits, she got me Mr. Beer 2 gallon kits. I know Mr. Beer isn't too great, but i'm not the type of guy to not pass up 12 gallons of free beer. Granted it won't be as good. Could i ferment 2 gallons of beer in a 5 gallon carboy? My worry is that there's too much headspace, but I figure it will soon all be pushed out with all the CO2. What are your thoughts?

[spiderwrangler]

I wouldn't. You have 6 kits at 2 gal each? What styles? Would you be able to do 3 batches of 4 gallons each? Combine two of the kits to make a 4 gal batch that you could easily ferment in your 5 gal carboy?

[Willys]

I do 2.5 gal batches in a 5 gal better bottle without a problem. No problem with blowoff.

If you get slow starts and are worried about the headspace just co2 flush before adding the wort. Then oxygenate and pitch. Can't think of any problems then.

[spiderwrangler]

If you get slow starts and are worried about the headspace just co2 flush before adding the wort. Then oxygenate and pitch.

Wouldn't CO2 purging then oxygenating be counterproductive?

[Stinkfist]

Pick up a 3 gallon better bottle

[Willys]

Purging with co2 could clear air of bugs etc. I don't do it.

[BDawg]

Here are a few alternatives-

Brew 1 of them up using Mr. Beer directions (including Booster). Brew another one up (same recipe kit) using
real pale LME instead of Booster (if they still make that shit) and using dechlorinated water, etc.
Then compare the two side by side.

Or, brew them per directions and enter them into a competion (for shits and grins).
Or, brew them up and doctor the shit out of them and enter THOSE (2 West Coast Pale Ale kits in the same size wort actually makes a decent IPA if you add some flavor hops and dry hop it).

Or, give them out to your buddies and have a "teach your buddies how to brew day" to get them into brewing if they aren't already into it.

Or, do an "Iron Mr. Beer" contest with a couple of your buddies to see who can make the best version of the same recipe.

HTH-

[EL TIZZO]

i'm pretty sure my LHBS has 2 or 3 gallon fermenting buckets...there are also the 3 gallon better bottles that run about $20

Cheers!