Problems with stout

[kenpotf]

I put a second keg in my keezer for my stout. I had to install a manifold for this as well. I have the tank set about 11.5 and my other beer is carbed fine. The stout however is very flat. I tested it today and it tastes like flat dr pepper/coffee. What do I need to look for to figure out why this won't carb. It will be in the keg for 2 weeks this Monday. I understand that's not enough time for a full carb but I should be seeing something.

Thanks!

 

[Double-R]

The manifold.... does it have a shut off valve.If so ,you sure it not on the off position.

 

[phoenixs4r]

I don't have a lot of experience but from what I've found, stouts, or dark beers in general, take linger to carbonate whether it be natural or force carbed. No clue why.

 

[squeekybobo]

Eh... Not entirely true. I made a milk stout and carbed with priming sugar in bottles. It was perfectly carbed at 1 week and 2 weeks. It's samples, as I plan on aging this much longer for optimum tasteabilitizing.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

The manifold.... does it have a shut off valve.If so ,you sure it not on the off position.

That was my first question too, I just didn't want to be the first to ask it...

Along the same lines, the OP should check the ball lock QD, poppet, etc, to make sure there's no obstruction.

 

[kenpotf]

The gas is on or I wouldn't get anything out, right? I reseated the gas qd and it didn't look like the poppet was stuck or anything. Should I have the pressure up higher since I have 2 because right now it seems my other one is over carbed....

I just checked by pulling gas release ring on top of the keg and I get a ton of co2 out, so it's pressurizing but I don't understand why it seems to be taking so long...can I shake the crap out of the keg??

 

[Gregwarro]

I don't understand why it seems to be taking so long...can I shake the crap out of the keg??

NO! you will end up with shaken kegy syndrome.

I did that to one of my kegs once...... The resulting foam that poured was much harder to get over than the flat beer.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]can I shake the crap out of the keg??

If you set the CO2 pressure to your eventual serving pressure at your desired serving temperature, then yes, you can shake the crap out of the keg without risk of over-carbing it...

Cheers!

 

[kenpotf]

I wish there was a way to find out if there is co2 going into the keg. I'm assuming that it is considering I can pour out of the tap. What do I risk by shaking the keg if it's at the serving pressure that I'll be using?

 

[day_trippr]

I wish there was a way to find out if there is co2 going into the keg. I'm assuming that it is considering I can pour out of the tap.

That would be a fair assumption.

What do I risk by shaking the keg if it's at the serving pressure that I'll be using?

The only risk in that scenario is beer backing up the gas line to your regulator. That would be bad juju if it happened. If you have a functional check valve (not a shut-off, but an anti-backflow valve) between the keg and the regulator that will avoid that potential scenario...

Cheers!

 

[kenpotf]

So I guess my last question is about the regulator. If the regulator is reading 12.5, does that mean that both of the kegs are at 12.5? I was thinking about releasing the co2 from both kegs and starting over...or will that hurt anything?