Carbonating & Serving from Fermenter Barrel?

[studio1]

I'm heading to Gisborne for 2-3 weeks after Xmas....I have a brew here that is 2 weeks old tomorrow and just going through its Diacetyl rest. I don't think I'm going to have time to bottle it before I go, but would like it ready for drinking when I get back. The beer is a Special Bitter. Could I transfer the brew to a clean fermenter barrell, bulk prime and leave in the barrell to carbonate naturally (sealing off the airlock hole)? I would then plan on drinking it straight from the barrell when I get back. I could keep the barrell at any temp with the tempmate.

[JoKing]

I think youd get a bit of carbonation this way - but I'd imagine the bung might pop out if you go over 2 volumes of CO2. I doubt the ale will take on any I'll effects from doing this however. I'd go for it: there is something so romantic about drinking stright from the fermenter...

[Reviled]

Have a look on AHB, youll want to aim for a low level of carbonation because the fermenter will warp in shape, Ive seen a pic of a fermenter half swollen near the top and all out of shape, it looked whack!

Do you have a cube? Theyre more robust, and you can tie some belts around it to stop it swelling, prime with your sugar, drain wort into cube, seal, leave...

Oh, and did you hit up your mate about the Sodium Percarbonate? :o)

[denimglen]

Should have asked for a keg system from santa.

Give it a shot. I'd leave the bung in there though to act as a primitive safety pressure release though.

Worst comes to worst it'll just ferment out and then you'll have to carbonate it when you get back.

[Stu McKinlay]

You'll want very little carbonation in a plastic fermenter or a cube (jerry can)... but that would be perfect for a ESB. If you've got a handpump you and your friends will be living in bliss for a few days. You only need 1 volume for an English-style real ale.

[studio1]

thanks for the replies guys, will give it a go. Should be a fair bot of dissolved Co2 at serving temp anyways without having to go overboard. Reviled - yip - he has 30kg in stock.