First beer batch low to no carbonation

[blairslikebrewin]

We finally hit the date where we could try our beer and we opened our first bottle. First sip, sad disappointment. The flavor was there and it tasted good, but there was little to no carbonation. Just flat beer. We brewed in 1 liter flip top bottles. Would you recommend trying the drops?or should we just sacrifice tho beer. Thanks in advance.

 

[rklinck]

more info needed. When did you bottle? Where have the bottles been stored? How much priming sugar did you use?

 

[Revvy]

Who told you what date you could open them at? And how long ago has it been since you bottled them. Is it less that three weeks?

There are no carbonation problems, only patience ones. You opened it after only 5 days....
The 3 weeks at 70 degrees, that we recommend is the minimum time it takes for average gravity beers to carbonate and condition. Higher grav beers take longer. Beers stored colder than 70, take longer.

Stouts and porters have taken me between 6 and 8 weeks to carb up..I have a 1.090 Belgian strong that took three months to carb up.

Temp and gravity are the two factors that contribute to the time it takes to carb beer. But if a beer's not ready yet, or seems low carbed, and you added the right amount of sugar to it, then it's not stalled, it's just not time yet.

Everything you need to know about carbing and conditioning, can be found here Of Patience and Bottle Conditioning. With emphasis on the word, "patience."

Carbing is foolprrof. You ad the right amount of sugar, leave it at the right temp, and it will carb.

If a beer isn't carbed by "x number of weeks" you just have to give them more time. If you added your sugar, then the beer will carb up eventually, it's really a foolroof process. All beers will carb up eventually. A lot of new brewers think they have to "troubleshoot" a bottling issue, when there really is none, the beer knows how to carb itself. In fact if you run beersmiths carbing calculator, some lower grav beers don't even require additional sugar to reach their minimum level of carbonation. Just time.

Additionally if they're in bigger bottles they take longer than 12 ounce bottles..bigger bottles often take longer. So if the minimum would be more like 1 month.

And if they've been stored less than 70 degrees, even longer.

 

[EyePeeA]

The 3 weeks at 70 degrees, that we recommend is the minimum time it takes for average gravity beers to carbonate and condition. Higher grav beers take longer. Beers stored colder than 70, take longer.

I've had plenty of 1.065-1.070 beers carb up just fine in 2-2.5 weeks at 66-68 F with low to moderate priming sugar additions for the style. Conditioning and flavor refinement is another story and usually takes a bit longer. I find max potential in that regard to be about 4 weeks for the lighter ales.

 

[blairslikebrewin]

Wow.
Okay.
They've been in bottles for a month now so we thought because of what the kit said for recommended timeframe that we can try to open one. I am sorry if I came off as dumb or something (sounds like you think I am). We have no problem waiting.

 

[amandabab]

1 liter bottles can take a while. Put them away and start your 2nd batch.

 

[blairslikebrewin]

And yes, they are amber flip top Liter bottles we bought at our local brewing supply store, not pints.

 

[blairslikebrewin]

We bought a beer kit so we know we used the correct Sugar amount. It's the kit that comes with brewers best caps. Thanks again. We will continue waiting.

 

[Revvy]

I've had plenty of 1.065-1.070 beers carb up just fine in 2-2.5 weeks at 66-68 F with low to moderate priming sugar additions for the style. Conditioning and flavor refinement is another story and usually takes a bit longer. I find max potential in that regard to be about 4 weeks for the lighter ales.

But the thing to remember is just because some of your batches did, doesn't meant they all will, and if they don't that there's anything wrong. There's a ton of variables at play, and every beer is different. That's why we talk about average times.....

 

[Revvy]

And yes, they are amber flip top Liter bottles we bought at our local brewing supply store, not pints.

Then it's going to take even longer than a pint would.

 

[blairslikebrewin]

Thank you. We are going to wait and also move them into our utility room. We think the temperature in there might be better as well. This being our first batch is just a little daunting.

 

[EyePeeA]

But the thing to remember is just because some of your batches did, doesn't meant they all will, and if they don't that there's anything wrong. There's a ton of variables at play, and every beer is different. That's why we talk about average times.....

All of my batches carbed this way, not some, give or take 1/2 week.

I'd say that it's average to hear about 2.5 to 3 weeks of carbing time. This is the first time I've ever heard you need more than 3 weeks to carb an average OG beer.

 

[Revvy]

All of my batches carbed this way, not some, give or take 1/2 week.

I'd say that it's average to hear about 2.5 to 3 weeks of carbing time. This is the first time I've ever heard you need more than 3 weeks to carb an average OG beer.

You obviously then haven't noticed the 50-60 threads a day on here where quite a few of us say it, over and over and over, every day.

 

[BigFloyd]

We bought a beer kit so we know we used the correct Sugar amount. It's the kit that comes with brewers best caps. Thanks again. We will continue waiting.

Were these completely flat or just kinda flat? Did it fizz when you opened the top? Are these new 1 liter flip-tops or older? What kind of shape are the red rubber gaskets in?

Assuming you bottle primed with the brewers best caps, did you double-check to be sure that you didn't prime the 1 liter bottles with the amount normally used for 12oz? It may be better next time to batch priming using a calculator. It's more consistent, bottle size matters not, and you can easily adjust the carb level to the style.

1 liter bottles are known to take longer to fully carb up than 12 oz. More time at room temp may be needed. You also may want to give them 5+ days in the fridge before opening to give time for the cooler liquid to absorb the CO2.

 

[rklinck]

Don't mind Revvy. He gets excited when people post "my beer isn't carbonated" threads. His advice is generally very good.

Also, just as an FYI going forward. The more information you can provide in a post where you are asking for advice, the better. There are so many things that impact brewing. If you post a question about a problem, generally the first response will be "give us more information." From your original post, we had no idea how long the beer had been in bottles or what temperature it was stored at, etc.

RDWHAHB!

 

[EyePeeA]

You obviously then haven't noticed the 50-60 threads a day on here where quite a few of us say it, over and over and over, every day.

I have... On here and BeerAdvocate. The average time for carbing a typical American Ale is usually quoted at 3 solid weeks.

Just because you and a few others "say" it requires more time to carb does not make it true in my experience; even at a lower temperature and at the lower end of the recommended priming sugar amount for the style.

I've had a few beers with tons of carb bubbles and a 3 finger head in just 2 weeks. These beers would have benefited with more time in the bottle for flavor refining, but carbing obviously wasn't an issue.

 

[rklinck]

You obviously then haven't noticed the 50-60 threads a day on here where quite a few of us say it, over and over and over, every day.

I hate to agree with Revvy on this, but I feel like the 3 weeks minimum at 70 degrees is the ONLY advice I ever see here. I'm not saying its right, but that's what I always see.

 

[fatnoah]

How long did you let them carbonate before trying one? How long did you put in the fridge before opening? Was there NO head, or just a little head? Totally flat? Or just undercarbonated. How big was the batch? How much sugar did you prime with?

Basically here are the most likely possibilities that could explain your problem:
You didn't add enough priming sugar for the batch.
You didn't wait let the bottles carb up enough before trying one.
You didn't let them cool down long enough for the CO2 to properly dissolve in the beer.
The caps on your bottles aren't sealed properly.

 

[Revvy]

I hate to agree with Revvy on this, but I feel like the 3 weeks minimum at 70 degrees is the ONLY advice I ever see here. I'm not saying its right, but that's what I always see.

You see it because quite often the poster of the thread where he tells us it's under 3 weeks comes back AFTER said time and tells his his beer is now fine. I subscribe to all the threads I post in, so I get the feedback....That's how we've come up with this idea...We've seen it over and over.

What's this bug up your butt about me? "Hate to agree with revvy." Wtf?

 

[amandabab]

Thank you. We are going to wait and also move them into our utility room. We think the temperature in there might be better as well. This being our first batch is just a little daunting.

it can be daunting.
all excited , brew a batch, wait, it doesn't seem to be 100% right, wait or drink it, start over.
The key and the hard part in the beginning is to brew, brew, brew.
collect at least 3 batches of bottle. It doesn't matter what they are or what you'd prefer to bottle in, (12's, 16's, 22's swing tops)just get at least 3 batches worth of containers to start then get picky.
if your busy brewing, its easier to wait. that 6 month old stout will worth it.
1 month old beer on hand will be the norm, not the stuff you can't wait to open.

 

[homebrewdad]

Three weeks at 70 degrees is the typical baseline. Some people report that their beers carbonate quicker. I frequently see posts about certain beers (especially higher gravity and/or darker beers, it seems) taking a bit longer.

Larger bottles also tend to take longer.

I fail to see what's so complicated about this. That comment is not pointed at the OP - we were all new once. It's intended for those that just want to argue, just to argue.

 

[rklinck]

You see it because quite often the poster of the thread where he tells us it's under 3 weeks comes back AFTER said time and tells his his beer is now fine. I subscribe to all the threads I post in, so I get the feedback....That's how we've come up with this idea...We've seen it over and over.

What's this bug up your butt about me? "Hate to agree with revvy." Wtf?

RDWHAHB! I was making a joke. Sorry if it came across wrong. You give great advice, and I am pretty sure that you provided really good advice for me when I first joined.

I am always amused that you get so excited about this issue. Every time I see a "why isn't my beer carbed" thread, I wait to see your post that gives all the advice the OP needs. I just worry because I have seen many of the folks respond like the OP here: "I am sorry if I came off as dumb or something (sounds like you think I am)."

I just try to encourage folks and make sure they know that they can come here and ask questions and get answers. There is no such thing as a dumb questions, but I asked lots of dumb questions when I first started.

 

[homebrewdad]

RDWHAHB! I was making a joke. Sorry if it came across wrong. You give great advice, and I am pretty sure that you provided really good advice for me when I first joined.

I am always amused that you get so excited about this issue. Every time I see a "why isn't my beer carbed" thread, I wait to see your post that gives all the advice the OP needs. I just worry because I have seen many of the folks respond like the OP here: "I am sorry if I came off as dumb or something (sounds like you think I am)."

I just try to encourage folks and make sure they know that they can come here and ask questions and get answers. There is no such thing as a dumb questions, but I asked lots of dumb questions when I first started.

**shakes fist at sky** Darn you, internet, and your failure to communicate inflection!

Revvy is a hero to newbs everywhere. The guy has helped me with more dumb questions than I'd care to admit.

 

[rklinck]

**shakes fist at sky** darn you, internet, and your failure to communicate inflection!

Revvy is a hero to news everywhere. The guy has helped me with more dumb questions than i'd care to admit.

agree 100%.

 

[Revvy]

RDWHAHB! I was making a joke. Sorry if it came across wrong. You give great advice, and I am pretty sure that you provided really good advice for me when I first joined.

I am always amused that you get so excited about this issue. Every time I see a "why isn't my beer carbed" thread, I wait to see your post that gives all the advice the OP needs. I just worry because I have seen many of the folks respond like the OP here: "I am sorry if I came off as dumb or something (sounds like you think I am)."

I just try to encourage folks and make sure they know that they can come here and ask questions and get answers. There is no such thing as a dumb questions, but I asked lots of dumb questions when I first started.

Who's excited? I cut and paste the same answer over 20-30 times a day, EVERY DAY, the same answer I first wrote, back in 2008.

How could you think I get "excited?" It's purely mechanical. I see the key information, or ask for the key information, and cut and paste from the post I more than likely made 10 minutes before...

I have no emotion, or opinion or judgement about this at all. I only have the desire to help the new brewer, by providing the best information possible, even if it's the same question asked by someone else 5 minutes before.

I do it because I KNOW what it's like to be a new brewer, I also know how much erroneous and contradictory information is out there, and also how often even the people desiring to be the most helpful can overlook the most basic of information and can get sidetracked into all the other pet theories. So I try to make my answers as though and detailed as possible....because everyone has different learning styles. So I try to cover all bases...just like I do preaching...."Show, tell, and show again." Illustrate things from different angles.

 

[yewtah-brewha]

There are 2 ways to prime single bottle and bulk priming, I have not had success with single dry primeing, When I bulk prime I get a well carbed beer in 6-7 days. and have had it in as little as 3 days.

5 oz of priming sugar boiled and added to your bottling bucket before you rack it will work wonders. let me know if u want a video, but there are probally lots out there already!

 

[Yooper]

I hate to agree with Revvy on this, but I feel like the 3 weeks minimum at 70 degrees is the ONLY advice I ever see here. I'm not saying its right, but that's what I always see.

I think it's common to see that stated, but it hasn't been my experience that it always takes 3 weeks minimum. I do agree that 70-75 degrees or so would be optimum.

I've had some beers be nicely carbed in a week, most in two, but I think it's been rare when they've taken 3 weeks. The ones that have taken that long have been normally stored a bit cooler, or maybe an exceptionally clear beer or a very high OG.

That said, it's normally safe to assume it will take about three weeks, and then not be disappointed when it takes that long.

 

[blairslikebrewin]

Don't mind Revvy. He gets excited when people post "my beer isn't carbonated" threads. His advice is generally very good.

Also, just as an FYI going forward. The more information you can provide in a post where you are asking for advice, the better. There are so many things that impact brewing. If you post a question about a problem, generally the first response will be "give us more information." From your original post, we had no idea how long the beer had been in bottles or what temperature it was stored at, etc.

RDWHAHB!

Thanks for the advice. I will do more lurking before my next post.

 

[rklinck]

Thanks for the advice. I will do more lurking before my next post.

I think you should feel free to post questions you have and don't feel like you have to "lurk" rather than asking a question. If everyone adopted that approach, there would not be many new threads on here! I'm pretty sure that almost every question that could be asked has been asked at some point on this forum. Folks on this forum will do their best to answer questions and provide as much information as possible. If we think we need more information from you to be able to help, we will ask you to post more info.

 

[BigFloyd]

Thanks for the advice. I will do more lurking before my next post.

No more lurking. Jump on into the fray, ask questions (run a search first), learn a lot, and have some fun. Always figure that when you ask a question, you will be asked to give some more details. That's so the folks here can help you pinpoint the cause of the problem(s).

One thing I have observed about brewers, both the ones I know here locally and those on the forums, is that they are some of the most helpful and sharing people that you'll ever come to know.

Hang around here just a little while and you will find that there's plenty of good-natured exchange (and ribbing) that goes on via these forums. Sometimes it gets a little heated, but rarely does it become personal unless someone is being an ass (you'll always have a few of those in any large group).