Overcarbed in the bottle - it can happen

[Hannable1975]

So I somehow have WAY overcarbed a batch - no bottle bombs, but the beer will make a monstrous thick head with even the most gentle pour - and is not pleasant to drink - has a mouth feel akin to "pop rocks" ! LOL

Any saving this mess? Can I uncap for an evening, cover with sanitized foil and recap the next day? Or do I need to pour off into a pitcher and let set prior to serving?

 

[sgillespie]

My last batch had the same problem (only my 2nd). I just pour it out into a big cup and then back into a glass before drinking, and i find that it helps bring the carb down a bit.

I was close to asking this question earlier today, so I'll be interested in other suggestions

 

[jigidyjim]

I've had batches like that. Could be an infection, could be improper priming, could be you bottled too early. In my case, pretty sure it was infection.

 

[Hannable1975]

I should have added ( sorry ) I know why - too much priming sugar.

 

[BeerJorge]

If the foam is fizzy and dissipates almost immediately, then you probably have gushers and there's not a whole lot you can do other than to clean and sanitize your home brew equipment better next time... otherwise, it may just be that you are not refrigerating your beers long enough...

CO2 dissolves into liquids better when it's cold... it takes a while before the CO2 dissolves... try putting a couple bottles in your fridge for at least 24 hours (preferably 48) and see if that gets rid of your over-foaming...

 

[cklages]

I'd like to drag this one back up and ask what you did and how it worked. I just overcarbed a stout (no gushers, just too much CO2). I usually carb a stout to about 3 volumes, then splash it into a glass to knock some of the CO2 out and give it a nice head. Something went a little wrong with this batch and I definitely have more than 3 volumes. I'm thinking it's possible that the beer wasn't totally finished.

Since I use screwtops, I just went through and uncapped and recapped 2 cases at room temp, but I'm wondering if that will be enough, or if I'm going to be doing that again a few more times.

Did you manage to save your beer?

 

[Hannable1975]

Sadly, I did not. I went to pone a few to let them vent, intending to recap a few hours later - and on the third one the cap came off with so much force it "popped" - like a cork from a bottle of Brut.

I them went and got my welding gloves, uncapped them all, and silently shed a tear as I poured them down the sink.

 

[motobrewer]

unfortunate.

3 vol for a stout? good lord, i try to keep it around 2

 

[RukusDM]

Sadly, I did not. I went to pone a few to let them vent, intending to recap a few hours later - and on the third one the cap came off with so much force it "popped" - like a cork from a bottle of Brut.

I them went and got my welding gloves, uncapped them all, and silently shed a tear as I poured them down the sink.

Do you think it was just the sugar or did you have a contamination issue? It seems so rare that I thought I would ask.

 

[Hannable1975]

Positive it was the sugar - I over primed the he77 out of it. The taste was actually awesome. I owe it to that beer to brew it again, and get it right.