Coopers Carbonation VS Priming Sugar

RickT · Mar 5, 2015

I'm finishing up my 2nd batch of beer. I used priming sugar the first batch.
The beer is a midwest cream stout kit with an extra 3 lbs of dark malt added.

I bought some coopers carbonation drops.

Do I still add the priming sugar? It would seem that you do not add it, too much carbonation?

I've read to add any where from 1 to 2 drops in a 12 ounce bottle which is correct? I don't want bottle bombs!

I'm also finishing up my 2nd batch of blackberry wine and was thinking about trying to bottle a few of those bottles as champagne/sparkling wine, using the coopers carbonation drops.

How many should I use in a 750 ml champagne bottle with cork and wired hood.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

HausBrauerei_Harvey · Mar 5, 2015

sugar in drop form or priming sugar will all give you CO2 in the bottle. You either prime or use the drops, not both.

I keg and use the drops to just bottle a few bottles to use up the leftover beer in the carboy after I fill my keg. One drop/bottle works well for me.

frazier · Mar 5, 2015

OK so - for your first question, pick one method or the other, not both. Personally I always think it's easier to batch prime, but using the tabs is good for situations as you describe, where only a part of the bottles get the tablets.

As for how many, one or two - I don't know, I've never used them. Are there instructions on the bag? But I can throw some math at the wall and see what sticks:

Five oz sugar for a batch of 50 bottles (I like simple round numbers) gives you 0.10 ounces of priming sugar per bottle. This is about 2.8 grams. How much do the tablets weigh?

A 750 ml bottle is a little more than twice a 12 ounce bottle (330 ml). None of this is rocket surgery, there are ample fudge factors. If you get it close, you'll be fine.

Cheers!