Bottle carbonation fading??

[GIusedtoBe]

Anybody had issues with bottles that are well carbonated at say 2 months but then have little or no head retention at say 4-5 months? THe beer still tastes fine but it would be nice if they had better carbonation/ head retention.

BTW I always use the same 3/4 cup of corn sugar per 5 gallons and this has only happened with a wheat dopplebock, a Belgian Ale and most lately, my oatmeal stout.

Any ideas?
Alan

 

[ArcaneXor]

The only way I can think of that would happen is of your bottle capper doesn't produce a tight seal, allowing some CO2 to escape.

I'd try replacing your bottle capper with a different model and using a different type of caps (e.g. the O2 absorbing kind).

 

[Revvy]

I agree with ArcaneXor, sounds like bad sealing on the caps.

 

[menschmaschine]

Also, it's best to weigh the sugar and be sure to account for the temperature of the beer at bottling time (colder room temps, in winter for example, = more CO2 in solution in the beer = less sugar to add for bottling).

 

[GIusedtoBe]

Would'nt the beer leak out when tipped upside down fi it was not sealed properly. I would think if the gas could escape, it would push out some beer.

Thanks for the feedback.
Alan

 

[Revvy]

Would'nt the beer leak out when tipped upside down fi it was not sealed properly. I would think if the gas could escape, it would push out some beer.

Thanks for the feedback.
Alan

Why would it push out some beer? The co2 would be leaking from the Headspace above the beer....