To use a bottling valve, you will need a picnic tap and a length of beer line. The picnic tap is a simple device that allows you to dispense beer from a keg, and it can easily be adapted for use as a bottling valve.
First, you will need to cut a piece of beer line that is long enough to reach the bottom of the bottle you want to fill. This line will attach to the picnic tap and act as a siphon, drawing the beer from the keg and into the bottle. Make sure the line fits tightly inside the picnic tap to prevent any leaks.
Next, attach the picnic tap to your normal run of beer line from the keg. This line should already be connected to the keg, allowing the beer to flow through it. The picnic tap will serve as the valve that controls the flow of beer into the bottle.
Once everything is connected, you can begin filling the bottle. Hold the bottle at an angle and place the end of the beer line into the bottle, making sure it is submerged in the beer. Open the picnic tap and allow the beer to flow into the bottle. You can control the speed of the flow by adjusting the tap.
As the bottle fills, you may need to adjust the angle of the bottle to prevent excessive foaming. It can be helpful to have a second person assist with this process, as they can hold the bottle steady while you control the flow of beer.
Once the bottle is filled to the desired level, close the picnic tap to stop the flow of beer. Remove the beer line from the bottle, taking care not to spill any beer. Repeat this process for each bottle you wish to fill.
Using a bottling valve can be a convenient way to fill bottles from a keg, especially if you do not have a dedicated bottling system. It allows you to control the flow of beer and ensures that each bottle is filled to the desired level.
In my own experience, I have used a picnic tap as a bottling valve when I needed to fill a small number of bottles for a special occasion. It worked well and allowed me to quickly and easily fill each bottle with minimal fuss. However, it is worth noting that using a bottling valve in this manner may not be ideal for large-scale bottling operations, as it can be time-consuming and may result in some variability in the fill levels of each bottle.
Using a bottling valve with a picnic tap or a bottling wand is a simple and effective way to fill bottles from a keg. With a little practice and attention to detail, you can achieve consistent and professional-looking results.