no carbonation in growlers

[mbruneaux]

I have never had an issue with carbonation Bottles but when i bottle in growlers i more often get flat ale instead of carbonated ale. I like using growlers because they are easier to bottle but the often flat. I reuse Berkshire Brewing Company growlers with new metal, plastic or even the original caps but they are always flat. My process is the same for bottles or growlers, what am i missing? I have tightened caps so tight i break the bottle.

 

[Yooper]

I have never had an issue with carbonation Bottles but when i bottle in growlers i more often get flat ale instead of carbonated ale. I like using growlers because they are easier to bottle but the often flat. I reuse Berkshire Brewing Company growlers with new metal, plastic or even the original caps but they are always flat. My process is the same for bottles or growlers, what am i missing? I have tightened caps so tight i break the bottle.

That's probably a good thing, that the caps don't allow you to carbonate in a growler, as the growlers are pretty well known to EXPLODE if carbonation is done in them. The glass in most growlers is too thin to allow them to hold carbonation pressure, and will generally explode. It's a good thing that your caps seem to give up before the glass does.

If you like a bigger size, instead of something like a 22 ounce beer bottle, why not try soda bottles? Those will hold up under pressure and not blow up or throw glass grenades at you.

 

[mbruneaux]

I normally use the 22oz bottles but didn't have any for this batch. How do the Pro brewers get them to keep carbonation without them growler bombs?

 

[hunter_le five]

There's a difference between carbonating in the growler, and putting an already carbonated beverage in the growler.

I'm guessing your growlers are not completely airtight.

Buy actual bottles, or better yet, buy craft beer and reuse the bottles.

 

[Riot]

Lots of delicious things come in 22oz bottles. Get a stockpile of this going and bottling day goes super quick. Plus they're strong enough to carb in without worries of leaky lids or bottle bombs.

 

[mbruneaux]

I will have to force myself to buy more beer in 22oz bottles.

 

[Yooper]

I will have to force myself to buy more beer in 22oz bottles.

It's a hardship, but I know you can go forth and do your best.

 

[RishoBrew]

I will have to force myself to buy more beer in 22oz bottles.

I use 750ml/25.4 oz. bottles - Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. It comes in a 4 pack at Costco.

 

[estricklin]

Whether you decide to carb in them or not, the metal caps are WAY better than the crappy plastic ones that always leak the 2nd time you use them.

 

[PackerfaninSanDiego]

I thought growlers were meant to put in beer that is already carbonated and should be consumed within 12hrs or less?

 

[divrguy]

The only growlers I will carb in is the swingtops. Most of my local breweries don't have these but Russian River does! Dang I wish I could go more often.....lol

 

[mrgrimm101]

I thought growlers were meant to put in beer that is already carbonated and should be consumed within 12hrs or less?

12 hrs? I've always been told within 4-5 days.

 

[justenoughforme]

i asked my local microbrew they said 4 days. unless it's a stout then that day (because stouts are flat so fast, not a bacteria thing)

 

[Hello]

I thought growlers were meant to put in beer that is already carbonated and should be consumed within 12hrs or less?

I opened one that was 4 months old the other day. Carbonated still and just delicious.