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mjohnston wrote:Grub, the corker concept sounds really neat - how much does that cost?
more beer is where i bought the corks and cages (grabbed 200 of each to make the shipping hurt less). i think after shipping+duty it worked out to about $0.50/bottle. it's expensive, but looks great. we did this on a few special batches last fall (calvados aged quadrupel, braggot, and super saison) and even labeled them.
you can also see an example of the corker at that link too. there are two options: the one above has brass jaws and the $125US price is about average for it. you can also get one with plastic jaws for more like $60US. since we're not exactly mass-producing, we went with the less expensive option. you need to do what they suggest and add a drilled stopper to the end of the plunger so that you leave the corks sticking part way out. takes a little practice to make sure you're not pushing them in too far, but it works.
grub wrote:
you can also see an example of the corker at that link too. there are two options: the one above has brass jaws and the $125US price is about average for it. you can also get one with plastic jaws for more like $60US. since we're not exactly mass-producing, we went with the less expensive option. you need to do what they suggest and add a drilled stopper to the end of the plunger so that you leave the corks sticking part way out. takes a little practice to make sure you're not pushing them in too far, but it works.
The drilled stopper idea is genius and so easy. Much better than my attempts to estimate how far down I need to push the lever.
jcc wrote:The drilled stopper idea is genius and so easy. Much better than my attempts to estimate how far down I need to push the lever.
it's not completely fool-proof though. the stopper is squishy and you can still over-insert as a result. i'm considering replacing the stopper with something solid, or putting a piece of wood across the top to block it from going too far.
There was an article in this month's BYO about using corks/cages. This is why I'm after the Colonna capper/corker now. I don't recall the writer mentioning a specific supplier, but he did recommend a particular type of cork. Good article.
Gedge wrote:There was an article in this month's BYO about using corks/cages. This is why I'm after the Colonna capper/corker now. I don't recall the writer mentioning a specific supplier, but he did recommend a particular type of cork. Good article.
Excellent article. I'm wondering whether his technique could be applied using a Potuguese hand corker? They can be found quite easily.
The Belgian corks themselves appear to be another issue altogether...
Update: I did some playing around and was able to insert a Unibroue cork (previously used but fully decompressed) into a 750 mL bottle, leaving 5/8" exposed at the top using my basic two-handle Portuguese corker. Once I had it in at the correct depth, I just raised the arms and carefully pulled up on the corker using a back and forth motion, leaving the cork in the bottle with 5/8" exposed (in future I will use a spacer around the plunger arm for consistent depth). Then twisted on a wire hood which tightened around just under the bottle lip. After a few minutes the cork decompressed tightening the wires and forming the tell-tale mushroom top. Is it really this easy?
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
I'm not familiar with the 2 handled Portuguese corker, but I do have one of the floor corkers. You can certain use those to put in "belgian" style corks. Use one of your carboy bungs, can't recall which size works best, but fiddle about and you'll get it. No need to get the colonna style corker if you can't find it. The standard floor corker is much easier to get and after reading the article is probably easier to use.
Other than Morebeer.com or other Yankee mail order sites, I'm not aware of anywhere supplying Belgian corks in Canada. Doesn't mean they don't exist though.
cannondale wrote:Has anyone managed to source Belgian Corks in Canada?
i bought mine from more beer. pricey once you factor in shipping and getting assraped by UPS brokerage fees, but it was the only place i found.
cannondale wrote:... After a few minutes the cork decompressed tightening the wires and forming the tell-tale mushroom top. Is it really this easy?
yep, that's exactly what we've done. works out great. i used a chopstick for easier tightening of the cages. after a while it gets pretty rough on your fingers if you don't. do the first twist or so by hand, then slide in the stick and tighten it up. just make sure you don't over tighten and snap the cage.
grub wrote:i bought mine from more beer. pricey once you factor in shipping and getting assraped by UPS brokerage fees, but it was the only place i found.
I have a lead on a local source... will provide details if it works out.
grub wrote:yep, that's exactly what we've done. works out great. i used a chopstick for easier tightening of the cages. after a while it gets pretty rough on your fingers if you don't. do the first twist or so by hand, then slide in the stick and tighten it up. just make sure you don't over tighten and snap the cage.
I actually picked up a tool designed for twisting the looms. It was only $2.48 so I figured it was justified lol.
Thanks for the tips fellas.
Gedge, if the Portuguese floor corker works for this business (and it seems pretty safe that it does), you may want to check this out...
grub wrote:i bought mine from more beer. pricey once you factor in shipping and getting assraped by UPS brokerage fees, but it was the only place i found.
I have a lead on a local source... will provide details if it works out.
The floor corker method does sound like a better option. The shipping from the US for the Colonna is $40, so it's well over $100 with the exchange rate factored in.
Nice to see a GTA source for the corks. I don't see the wire cages on the Homebrew Supplies site. Maybe I'm just missing them?
Gedge wrote:The floor corker method does sound like a better option. The shipping from the US for the Colonna is $40, so it's well over $100 with the exchange rate factored in.
Nice to see a GTA source for the corks. I don't see the wire cages on the Homebrew Supplies site. Maybe I'm just missing them?
Gedge wrote:Ouch! Musca wants $25 to ship the corker.
That's what I was told too, comes to about 65 bones, so I cancelled my order to re-evaluate. Check out the link below. If you are in the GTA and can pick it up, it will save you a few bucks.
