Hi, I have 600 litres of cider which was racked for the first time yesterday, 200 litres of which was racked into 2 x 100 litre oak barrels. Before racking, the cider was still fermenting at a rate of one bubble (through the airlock) per two minutes. This was due to cool weather here and the recent addition of a heater to the brewing room about a week ago.
Both barrels have been stopped with a cork bung with no airlock.
Can anyone tell me if this is safe? Will the CO2 be able to escape through the barrel without an airlock at this rate? Likely to be pretty vigorous at first due to the air mixed in while racking.
Also any thoughts on the taste - will the oak taste be way too strong if I leave it maturing until say, April?
Both barrels have been stopped with a cork bung with no airlock.
Can anyone tell me if this is safe? Will the CO2 be able to escape through the barrel without an airlock at this rate? Likely to be pretty vigorous at first due to the air mixed in while racking.
Also any thoughts on the taste - will the oak taste be way too strong if I leave it maturing until say, April?
