Bottling carb issue with priming sugar vs fizz drops

[TwistedGray]

I really didn’t think it necessary to start a new thread, so…. I’ve used NB’s carbonation drops but have found 1/4 to a 1/3 of them to be too big for a standard 12 oz beer bottle. I end up using a sanitized screw driver to push them in the rest of the way. I like using these for “regular beers” for uniform carbonation. I still mix corn sugar in for Belgians so I can up the carbonation. Can anyone recommend a brand that easily fits a standard 12oz beer bottle w/out getting stuck in the neck?

Why not make it simple and do the 1/2tsp per 12oz bottle method?

 

[z-bob]

Lottta folks swear by the smaller domino dots but you have to get the smaller ones.

They don't make those anymore. I still have a few boxes. I also used the larger sugar cubes (either Domino or C&H) in 500ml plastic bottles. Now I just use granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp per 11, 11.2, or 12 oz bottle, and 3/4 tsp for 500ml bottles, etc. I bought a little stainless steel funnel made for filling liquor flasks from Amazon a few years ago and it works great for bottle priming.

 

[youngson616]

Brewers best carb drops. They fit in the bottle.

 

[Dancy]

My biggest gripe is mixing corn sugar solution in the bottling bucket can give uneven results. I have improved though by stirring GENTLY (don’t want to introduce a lot of oxygen) but for a long enough time to give even distribution. I’m fine with doing this for my Belgian Ales as they need more carbonation than a sugar drop can give. The drops appeal to me for more average carb levels and they’re simple — but they need to fit in the bottle! I think I’ll try the Brewer’s Best but may consider the sugar per bottle method, although that seems a bit tedious. Thanks guys!

 

[aceluby]

You're making this harder on yourself for no reason @youngson616. All you have to do is 1/2tsp of plain ole white sugar to a 12oz bottle, and you're done. No boiling, no mixing, no inconsistencies, no nada...you can do a 5 gal batch in about 3-5 minutes.

This is what I do. Get all my bottles ready and bottle right off the fermenter.

 

[TwistedGray]

may consider the sugar per bottle method, although that seems a bit tedious.

It's really not...

 

[Dancy]

This is what I do. Get all my bottles ready and bottle right off the fermenter.

I’m thinking I’d like to do that too — skip the damn bottling bucket — seems unnecessary and another step to add oxygen I don’t want.

 

[aceluby]

I’m thinking I’d like to do that too — skip the damn bottling bucket — seems unnecessary and another step to add oxygen I don’t want.

I saw someone replaced their fizz drops with sugar cubes. Couldn’t find any at 3 stores (apparently there’s a shortage?), so just calculated out how much sugar is needed and used 1/2 tsp per bottle. We have these skinny teaspoons that pour really nicely into a bottle.

I used a bottling bucket once, oxygenated it and never did it again. Used fizz drops from some kits that came with them, and now just use sugar. I do put the full bottles on their side once I’ve capped them to get any sugar stuck near the top. It’s so much easier than a bottling bucket, less things needed, and significantly faster

 

[TwistedGray]

I’m thinking I’d like to do that too — skip the damn bottling bucket — seems unnecessary and another step to add oxygen I don’t want.

Individual bottle priming makes things more convenient.

I saw someone replaced their fizz drops with sugar cubes. Couldn’t find any at 3 stores (apparently there’s a shortage?), so just calculated out how much sugar is needed and used 1/2 tsp per bottle. We have these skinny teaspoons that pour really nicely into a bottle.

I used a bottling bucket once, oxygenated it and never did it again. Used fizz drops from some kits that came with them, and now just use sugar. I do put the full bottles on their side once I’ve capped them to get any sugar stuck near the top. It’s so much easier than a bottling bucket, less things needed, and significantly faster

We've discovered the same thing

 

[balrog]

I’m thinking I’d like to do that too — skip the damn bottling bucket — seems unnecessary and another step to add oxygen I don’t want.

As you bottle from fermenter, what replaces the liquid that goes out? That’s air. Unless you hook up CO2 coming in from a tank. Having said that, of course, racking to bottling bucket gives much more access to air. It is a conundrum with hoppy styles I will grant you. Ferment and serve in keg has some advantages and drawbacks, floating dip tube and all.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Successfully bottling NEIPAs is covered in a number of topics over the last couple of years.

Here's another approach that may be worth considering:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/vitamin-c-the-game-changer.698328/

I'm starting to use it. No adverse affects. I'll probably start doing some side by side bottles later this fall.

 

[Dancy]

As you bottle from fermenter, what replaces the liquid that goes out? That’s air. Unless you hook up CO2 coming in from a tank. Having said that, of course, racking to bottling bucket gives much more access to air. It is a conundrum with hoppy styles I will grant you. Ferment and serve in keg has some advantages and drawbacks, floating dip tube and all.

Frankly, I’ve never picked up on any of my beer being over exposed to oxygen to the point of affecting flavor — but then I don’t brew highly hopped beers. I’ll never keg — I don’t have the space to deal with it and I brew for myself pretty much so bottling 5 gallons every so often isn’t that bad. There’s something gratifying about seeing my home brew in bottles.

 

[aceluby]

As you bottle from fermenter, what replaces the liquid that goes out? That’s air. Unless you hook up CO2 coming in from a tank. Having said that, of course, racking to bottling bucket gives much more access to air. It is a conundrum with hoppy styles I will grant you. Ferment and serve in keg has some advantages and drawbacks, floating dip tube and all.

The same thing happens racking from fermenter to bottling bucket and bottling bucket to bottle, no?

 

[youngson616]

Successfully bottling NEIPAs is covered in a number of topics over the last couple of years.

Here's another approach that may be worth considering:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/vitamin-c-the-game-changer.698328/

I'm starting to use it. No adverse affects. I'll probably start doing some side by side bottles later this fall.

Good read here. My first NE Ipa oxidized and I would rather stick to bottling. Thanks