Beer not carbonating

[Username69]

I bottled a 9% IIPA 2 months ago. I opened a bottle after 2 weeks and there was barely any carbonation however there was still some. I waited like everyone suggested and opened one after 2 months of bottle conditioning and it has the same amount of carbonation. On bottling day I added 5oz corn sugar but did not add fresh yeast. Before bottling, it spent 2 weeks in the primary then 2 weeks in the secondary. In its current stage it is undrinkable, but I think it would be great with good carbonation. What would y'all do?

 

[geoffm33]

What was the batch size for bottling?

 

[Username69]

What was the batch size for bottling?

5 gallons

 

[geoffm33]

I assume you were bottle conditioning at room temps? 68 - 72'ish? if so, nothing with the amount of sugar is the problem, if anything there was slightly too much.

I had this happen to me with an Oatmeal Stout. It just never carbonated. Had me questioning my sanity on if I ever added the sugar, and in the right amount.

 

[Kee]

You can open the bottles and drop in some dry yeast (champagne yeast works well). I've done just that after an extensive cold crash and no carbonation 3 months later. Works fine.

 

[Username69]

I assume you were bottle conditioning at room temps? 68 - 72'ish? if so, nothing with the amount of sugar is the problem, if anything there was slightly too much.

I had this happen to me with an Oatmeal Stout. It just never carbonated. Had me questioning my sanity on if I ever added the sugar, and in the right amount.

Yes it was at 70 for pretty much the entirety of the time. I've tried rousing the yeast by inverting and rolling and nothing changed. I think I'll add some dry yeast and hope for the best!

 

[Username69]

You can open the bottles and drop in some dry yeast (champagne yeast works well). I've done just that after an extensive cold crash and no carbonation 3 months later. Works fine.

Thanks. I'm going to try this out. How much do you add to a bottle? A few grains?

 

[shoengine]

I had mine take five weeks before and just having weak carbonation at that point. Over two months for full carbonation. Also, there is almost no yeast cake at the bottom of the bottles. I think you are on the right track.

 

[Username69]

Just cracked open a 9.45% IIPA that has been bottle aged for 1 month. It has great carbonation (and surprisingly, hop aroma) and was brewed, fermented, and bottled under the same conditions as the beer above that will not carbonate. The problem beer also has a large bubbly head that dissapates quickly. I am OCD and very maticulous when cleaning so I know it is not due to soap or residual oxyclean. I will try to add the dry yeast and experiment but I do not have high hopes for this one.

 

[Kee]

Thanks. I'm going to try this out. How much do you add to a bottle? A few grains?

Yes, I just cut the corner off a pack of dry yeast and sprinkle in a few grains in each bottle.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

I had this happen once before with a stout. Zero carbonation after 1 month.

I ended up putting the bottles In the bath tub and covering them with warm water for about 30 mins.

This worked... Sort of. The bottles ended up partially carbonating but not fully.

 

[NoIguanaForZ]

Thanks. I'm going to try this out. How much do you add to a bottle? A few grains?

In my experience, hydrating a packet of CBC-1, stirring it once it had rehydrated, and then droppering about a milliliter into each 12oz bottle worked well for a stalled-out Smoked Imperial Porter.