Can I save under-carbed bottles?

[Datsvibe]

Hi guys-

Long story short- I force carbed a 5g Pumpkin Ale keg to what I thought was 2.5 c02 volume..

Set keg in fridge, and bottled the next day using a Beer Gun... (I don’t have a kegerator unfortunately)

Somehow there must have been a C02 leak in keg and it lost pressure overnight.

Being a newb I didn’t catch it. Bottled and capped 50 bottles.

Cracked one open next day, and it’s flat.

Is there anything I could do to save the batch?

I have a pack of Carbonation tabs, was hoping I could uncap, drop one in, recap and let it do its thing... was hoping for some input!

Is it a lost-cause?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

 

[user 125772]

there may be enough yeast left to naturally carbonate .

What's your plan ? 4 tabs, a new bottle cap, and room temp for 2-3 weeks?

 

[Datsvibe]

Yeah- my plan was to naturally carb using the tabs... I guess that’s my only option at this point?

Or did the original force-carbing kill off the yeast? (I apologize if that’s a dumb question)

The package indicated 1 tab per 12oz bottle. Do you suggest I use more than 1?

I was looking up other options and ran across this CarbaCap thing, but it didn’t seem usable on glass bottles..

View attachment 420752

 

[user 125772]

LOL, I assumed your carb tabs were the same as mine .... so, hell no, DONT use more than 1! (follow the directions)

 

[Nosybear]

If the beer's completely flat, open the bottles and drop a (large) carb tab in (the ones that suggest using 1 per 12 ounce bottle, there are smaller ones that suggest using up to 3). If the beer is not completely flat, you can still manage but it's more difficult. Dropping the carb tab into beer with CO2 in solution - think the old-fashioned Mentos in a coke bottle trick. You'd have to find a way to degas the beer to bottle condition it. IF you have a keg, maybe gently pouring the beer back into the keg (avoid splashing and O2 introduction) then recarbonating it could work. Risk is oxidation. Good luck with it!

 

[Datsvibe]

If the beer's completely flat, open the bottles and drop a (large) carb tab in (the ones that suggest using 1 per 12 ounce bottle, there are smaller ones that suggest using up to 3). If the beer is not completely flat, you can still manage but it's more difficult. Dropping the carb tab into beer with CO2 in solution - think the old-fashioned Mentos in a coke bottle trick. You'd have to find a way to degas the beer to bottle condition it. IF you have a keg, maybe gently pouring the beer back into the keg (avoid splashing and O2 introduction) then recarbonating it could work. Risk is oxidation. Good luck with it!

Appreciate the reply and suggestions! I’ll pop the cap, drop the tab, re-cap and wait a few weeks! I guess in the meantime I will just have to make another batch...

Seem to learn something new (the hard way) each new batch!

 

[ncbrewer]

I'd be concerned that there is some unknown amount of carbonation in the beer. If you add the normal carb tab, and there's more carbonation than a normal batch being primed, you would over carbonate. Worst case, you could have bottle bombs - really not good. I'd say you have three safe options: 1) Drink the beer flat, 2) Dump it, or 3) Mix each bottle with a cheap American macro beer to give it some carbonation.

 

[Kent88]

Any tiny amount of carbonation will degas if you just try adding sugar, excessive foaming happens. Carbonation tabs shouldn't cause as much foaming, but I haven't tried.

Be careful, don't add tabs or sugar where spills will cause problems.

 

[Datsvibe]

I'd be concerned that there is some unknown amount of carbonation in the beer. If you add the normal carb tab, and there's more carbonation than a normal batch being primed, you would over carbonate. Worst case, you could have bottle bombs - really not good. I'd say you have three safe options: 1) Drink the beer flat, 2) Dump it, or 3) Mix each bottle with a cheap American macro beer to give it some carbonation.

Funny you say that.. I bought a 6pack of Great Lakes Christmas Ale and mixed it as you said- it did the trick, maybe not the perfect blend but not terrible either.

I was hoping to not have to go that route but if it’s my only option I prefer that as opposed to dumping... thanks!

 

[Datsvibe]

Any tiny amount of carbonation will degas if you just try adding sugar, excessive foaming happens. Carbonation tabs shouldn't cause as much foaming, but I haven't tried.

Be careful, don't add tabs or sugar where spills will cause problems.

Thanks for the tip. I think I’m gonna take a case worth and uncap, drop the carbonation tab and see how it goes..

If it works out I’ll do the same to the remainder.

Will definitely set in basement near a drain in case they do pop or foam!

The 6 I have in my fridge I’ll just mix with another similar brew in the meantime. At least I have a few options now.. thanks again!