Pretty sure I didn't put in enough priming sugar. Do something about it?

[Noshtero]

Hey all,

I tried using powdery dextrose for the first time, and I'm pretty sure I inadvertently didn't use enough of it. I'm making a Northern Brewer German Alt Ale.

Story:
First and foremost, I'll admit up front that I forgot to put the sugar in the bottling bucket before I racked the beer. I poured it on top and did probably more stirring than I should have. So I'm pretty confident I got the sugar mixed throughout.

I waited 2 weeks with the bottles stored around 66 degrees. I popped one open and there was a modest hiss. I poured it out, and I'll say it showed signs of carbonation, but definitely wasn't carbonated like I'd expect.

So reading up on the forums here I got it in my mind that I didn't have enough sugar in. I made the mistake of measuring instead of weighing. I followed the instructions of using 2/3 cup dextrose. But first off, it was lighter than powdered sugar, so I'm sure I didn't have a tightly packed 2/3 cup. Second, I'm seeing on here that for a 5 gallon batch I should be using more like 3/4 cup. So all in all, I don't think I had enough in there.

What are my options? If I just wait it out, will it eventually carbonate? I'd consider popping the caps and adding sugar but I have no idea how much to add since I have no idea how short I was.

Thoughts? Thanks!

This is my first post btw! Got my premium supporter membership and everything. My brew partner and I are really hoping to get good at this and hopefully get up to doing all-grain and creating our own brews.

 

[BigB]

The difference btw 2/3 cup and 3/4 cup is minimal. I certainly wouldn't open up the bottles at this point just to add more sugar. Be patient, give the bottles a few more weeks in a nice warm room (70 f) and I bet you will be pleasantly suprised to have fully carbonated beer.

 

[estoppel]

Hey Nosh, I have the same problem right now in that my beer is not at all carbonated after two weeks at 71 degrees. I can't even say I noticed a pathetic hiss. I only added a half cup of priming sugar due to the style I was shooting for.

I plan on giving them a little swirl and waiting a few more weeks. If they aren't carbed at all after 6 to 8 weeks, I'll have to do something more drastic, but for right now, I am just holding tight and drinking the other beers I have around the house. I am in no rush.