Brew not Carbing

[1stTimer]

I bottled a Pumpkin Porter almost 5 weeks ago and it’s still flat. I did the same thing I normally do. Primed with 3.2 oz corn sugar. Same as I’ve used on past porters. It’s sitting in a room around 68 degrees. This is my 4th year of brewing and I have never had this happen. Any suggestions? Gracias

 

[BargainFittings]

Did you happen to use a different type of cap or bottles? How do the caps look on the beer?

Put a six pack in a warmer spot for a week or two to see if they need to be warmer to carb.

How big is this beer? What yeast strain? How long did you ferment / condition the beer before bottling?

 

[DMartin]

Might be a yeast problem? Did you do anything differently compared to your last porter?

What's the abv? If its really heavy you might just need more time. Maybe bring it up above 70 for a week or so.

 

[1stTimer]

I will go in order.
Caps and bottles are the same as they have always been and yes caps are on tight
Beer came out at 6.4%abv. Yeast strain, hmm. I will have to check my notes when I get home. Fermented in the primary for a week and conditioned for 2 weeks in secondary. Ive done this way before and never had an issue.

I will try putting some in a warmer spot and see what happens. Thanks for the input. it has a great taste but it just wont carb. Grrr

 

[DMartin]

I don't see any issues. Try warming em up. If that doesn't work, try to forget you have them and move on. In 3-4 months when you find them in the bottom of your closet, they'll probably be fine.

 

[Revvy]

My pumpkins have taken up to 8 weeks to carb up.

 

[BargainFittings]

My pumpkins have taken up to 8 weeks to carb up.

Wonder if its something in the pumpkin?

 

[dabeers]

I've been having a similar problem with my pumpkin stout. Can't remember exactly when I bottled but probably ~8wks ago, finally had one that had at least some carbonation. I know mine was over spiced, so I have been thinking that has had some effect on carbonation and head. Either way going to wait another month til I touch another.

 

[Revvy]

Wonder if its something in the pumpkin?

Usually it's more because of the gravity of the beer, most of the time pumpkin ales tend to be on the stronger side. But it could be the proteins as well.

I just never stress the whys or the whens, all beers will carb eventually.

 

[1stTimer]

Thanks for the answers everyone. Ive just set it aside and IM going to leave it for another month or so and see what happens. I have an altbier that will be ready soon. I will be drinking pumpkin porters all summer.

 

[Revvy]

I found that for my and making Pumpkin beers that it is best to start before Labor Day if I want to ensure that I'm drinking any on Halloween. In fact I did one on Labor day weekend one year that wasn't ready til Turkey Day.

I have a buddy that does his pumpkins on July 4th to make sure they're ready.

I end up rarely doing any because I realise it too late to fit any reasonable schedule.

I'm planning one for next year, but I'm not planning to brew it til Teach a Friend to Brew Day the first week of November. I'm gonna actually mash in a pumpkin. But I'm probably going to shoot for a relative low gravity beer so MAYBE it will be ready in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[1stTimer]

I’m reading from just about everyone that pumpkin brews just take a long tie to carb. So next year I will plan accordingly. Either way its brew that WILL be ready at some point. So I’m all smiles.