More 'life' needed.

[eoghanryan]

I just opened my first batch of bottled brew. It's an Indian pale ale. It tastes fine but I'm wondering can I add more 'life' into the ale now since it has been bottle? Could I add another carbonation drop to the bottles and leave for another couple of days?

 

[Breck09]

How long has it been in the bottle?

 

[IXVolt]

Like Breck said, there's a good chance you haven't waited long enough for the beer to reach a fully carbonated level.

 

[Boardndave]

Do you mean carbonation, body, mouthfeel?

 

[IXVolt]

Do you mean carbonation, body, mouthfeel?

OP went on to talk about adding a carb drop, so I'm assuming he meant carbonation.

 

[eoghanryan]

They have been in the bottles for 4 days now as recommended in the instructions.

 

[tryder33]

What kind of carbonation drops are you using? I use a priming sugar solution, 16oz of water and 5/8 cup of table sugar, and they suggest leaving the bottles 2 -3 weeks at room temperature before you stick them in the fridge.

 

[pfgonzo]

What kind of carbonation drops are you using? I use a priming sugar solution, 16oz of water and 5/8 cup of table sugar, and they suggest leaving the bottles 2 -3 weeks at room temperature before you stick them in the fridge.

This. 4 days is nowhere near enough time to bottle carb. Be patient and let them sit somewhere for 2.5 to 3 more weeks. You will be happy.

 

[stratslinger]

OK, take a black sharpie and line out any references to timing in that recipe, because if it's recommending 4 days in the bottle, it's garbage. I'd be willing to bet it told you to keep the beer in primary for 4-7 days, then secondary for something way too short too... Recipes like those are designed to get you to buy your next kit quick, as opposed to making the best product you can, sadly.

Put those bottles away someplace dark, at 70 degrees or so, for a good 3 weeks. At that point they'll be ready to toss in the fridge for a few days (to make sure the CO2 fully dissolves) and crack open.

By all means, take one or two out each week and sample along the way to see what's going along - but things are going to be changing as the beer conditions in the bottle during those 3 weeks. 4 days in the bottle just is NOT enough time!

 

[Qhrumphf]

This topic gets brought up all the time on here, and all the above answers are spot on. 4 days is not enough time for carbonation in the bottle (force carbing in a keg is a different story). 3 weeks is a MINIMUM for carbonation. Depending on the beer, it can take longer. I've had some of my bigger beers take 6-8 weeks to fully carbonate.

Feel free to sample along the way, but keep in mind that every beer you drink early is one less beer you can have when it's properly carbonated.

 

[eoghanryan]

Cheers for all the advice. It will be heeded. The carbonation drops were 100% Glucose from Coopers (the Oz brewing co.) I just thought they would be easier to use than funneling a teaspoon of sugar into every bottle!

Ps: this is by far the best forum I've ever jointed!

Thanks again.

 

[jeremybrown9]

Is it just me or does it seem easier to add priming sugar to the bottling bucket? I would think that would clear up the 'I think I primed all my bottles' or having to use a funnel or other contraptions. Just saying.