Did I over carbonate my beer?

[tanderson36]

I just got a kegerator and am getting ready to pour my first homebrew on tap (not my first batch). The kegerator is currently set to 36 degrees and I brewed a Pale Ale.

I got confused by all of the force carbonation methods and charts, and ended up leaving the keg for about 5 days at 30 psi while sitting in the kegerator at 36 degrees. I have since turned it down to 10 psi as per one of the charts, but I fear that beer is now way too carbonated.

Any suggestions or advice on how to lower the carbonation, or do you think it will turn out fine?

 

[BigB]

Obviously...first pour off a pint and see if its over carbonated. If it is, turn off the co2 and bleed the pressure off the keg. Let it sit for a day or two and try it again. Repeat if necessary.

 

[HawksBrewer]

5 days at 30 psi and 36*F will likely be overcarbonated. The last time I accidentally did 3 days at 30 psi and 40*F it was slightly overcarbed. You can always purge and repeat while off gas to lower your carb w/o harming the beer.... just don't accidentally purge from the beer connect line.

 

[tanderson36]

Ok. Thanks for the advice. I will pour a glass first before I do anything, but assuming its too much, should I purge the air from the pressure release valve with just a few quick pulls, or do I need to let all of the air out and then hook the air back up and set to correct PSI level?

 

[BigB]

If its over carbonated, release all pressure from keg but do not hook the gas back up yet. The excess co2 in the beer will slowly come out of solution into the head space of the keg (attempting to reach equilibrium). In a day or two, put it back on gas at the proper PSI and pour a pint. If its ok, then you are all set... if not, disconnect gas, release all pressure from keg, let sit for a day or two, retest... repeat as necessary.