Flat beer problem

[pschrey109]

So I've been brewing off and on for 7-8 years, extract only and bottles only. I've brewed in San Francisco, Denver, and now by Lake tahoe. Since I moved to the Nevada/tahoe area I've had a problem with flat beer. The last 4 batches consisted of Red Ale, Celebration Ale clone, Hefeweisen, and currently another Red Ale. All the batches fermented OK in the primary. Transferred them to the secondary for a week. Then bottled for 2 weeks or more for all the batches. None have had the same level of carbonation as before I moved here.
The last batch of Hefeweisen has been bottled for over 3 months now and still never carbonated.
I'm worried about the current Red Ale going flat again and wasting my time and leaving me dry.
I use the same technique each time of 3/4 cup of sugar added to hot water to make a syrup. this is added to the secondary and stirred right before I rack into the bottles. Bottles kept in the same closet as where it was fermented.
What's going on? Help
Pete

 

[moger777]

could be the water, try going with spring water only and see if the problem disappears.

 

[pschrey109]

I was thinking about that but wouldn't bad water also effect the primary fermentation as well?

 

[malkore]

i can't see the water doing it. if the tap water's drinkable, its brewable.
hell my tap water has plenty of chloramine, which I never remove, and my beer tastes great.

how old are your bottles? are you using the same brand of caps always, possibly from a very large bulk buy?

I just get the feeling that the caps aren't sealing tight enough. maybe the bottles are getting worn and don't seal? especially if you're using twist top bottles.
maybe the seal on the caps is worn/degrading over time?
maybe its time for a new capper, especially if you have a wing capper.

 

[pschrey109]

My caps are ancient! Never thought of that. Thanks for the tip. Off to the home brew store.