Relaxed and not worrisome question about bottling

[Travis K. Jansen]

Seriously, I'm just asking out of curiosity since it's been about 10 years since I've bottled a homebrew...

I am bottle conditioning one of my belgians and they've been going for about a week. I'm not cracking any to test for at least 3 weeks. However, I did take a looka them this morning and it looks like 2 of the bottles have about a mm of foam sitting atop the liquid, while the remaining 25 are foamless.

Again, disclaimer, I'm not worried, I'm relaxing, and I'm having a homebrew. I'm just curious where that foam would come from and why the other bottles don't have it. Does that mean maybe air got into those two? The anticipation of that three week date hurts so good

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

I'm not cracking any to test for at least 3 weeks.

That's a freakin' lie, I'm probably gonna crack one just for funsies.

 

[cubalz]

Honestly I don't think it means anything. Here is what I would do: Mark those 2 bottles somehow and then slowly turn them upside down and back up a couple of times to clear out the foam from the head space. Then leave them go. Check back in another week and see if it returns. If it does, drink those first.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

Honestly I don't think it means anything. Here is what I would do: Mark those 2 bottles somehow and then slowly turn them upside down and back up a couple of times to clear out the foam from the head space. Then leave them go. Check back in another week and see if it returns. If it does, drink those first.

Sounds like a plan, man.

 

[mongoose33]

I wonder if those two bottles didn't seal, and what you're seeing is a sort of krausen on top.

As before, I'd mark those two, but I'd compare one of the two to the other beers after they've carbonated. Then you'll know.

Report back, Travis, on what you find regardless. My interest is piqued.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

I wonder if those two bottles didn't seal, and what you're seeing is a sort of krausen on top.

As before, I'd mark those two, but I'd compare one of the two to the other beers after they've carbonated. Then you'll know.

Report back, Travis, on what you find regardless. My interest is piqued.

I will definitely report back, I'll take some pics too...all for the love of science and beer

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I always drink a way too early sample or two. It's part of the fun and you learn about what a green beer tastes like. I keg, but I have a really solid understanding of my beers and how they evolve through the conditioning and carbing process.

I'm thinking about bottle conditioning a batch just for old times sake. One of my first brews back in the 90's was a extract + steeping grains california common. I want to make an all grain version and bottle condition it.

 

[thehaze]

I always drink a way too early sample or two. It's part of the fun and you learn about what a green beer tastes like. I keg, but I have a really solid understanding of my beers and how they evolve through the conditioning and carbing process.

I'm thinking about bottle conditioning a batch just for old times sake. One of my first brews back in the 90's was a extract + steeping grains california common. I want to make an all grain version and bottle condition it.

I too do the same: waiting for beer in the bottle to become ready is a long, agonizing wait. I usually pop a bottle from each batch during the 1st week, but that is because I need to make sure everything ig going well.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

Yep, I agree boys, seems like you need a control to compare your more mature bottles to. For science.

I keg too, but one of these is a Belgian Cuvee Des trolls clone, and the other a Westy 12 clone, so I wanted to bottle for aging sake.

 

[thehaze]

Belgians, especially the " dark " ones, do really benefit from a bit of conditioning. The wait will definitely pay off.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

Dudes, it looks like an air leak. I have about 5 with lacing or foam. I sprayed with star San and it started to bubble under the cap.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dZCSUuuLG1Kkhhvz1

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jx1EHNVu8m3Wt1is1

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

PS. I caved and tried one tonight. It's carbed pretty good already. Taste is going to be great once it mellows. It's a little boozy smelling now but no harsh flavors. Should settle down nicely.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

Too pretty not to share.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ulBbkrMefQ23u1qt2

 

[mongoose33]

Dudes, it looks like an air leak. I have about 5 with lacing or foam. I sprayed with star San and it started to bubble under the cap.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dZCSUuuLG1Kkhhvz1

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jx1EHNVu8m3Wt1is1

Look at the caps; the one on the bottle w/ foam in it is cockeyed.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

Look at the caps; the one on the bottle w/ foam in it is cockeyed.

I noticed that yesterday too. I must have capped them sideways just slightly. I wonder if these beers are effed or if I can fix them...

 

[kh54s10]

You could loosen the cap all the way leave it over the top until the beer is flat then prime with a carbonation tab and recap.

 

[Darthbrewder]

I noticed that yesterday too. I must have capped them sideways just slightly. I wonder if these beers are effed or if I can fix them...

I would just recap the ones that are loose. Mark the bottles and push them to the back of the batch.

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

I would just recap the ones that are loose. Mark the bottles and push them to the back of the batch.

That's kind of what I was thinking. They'll have some exposure to oxygen, but not a ton.

 

[TGFV]

It may be from exposure but also depending in sugar levels/random chance some do get a small krausen ring.

Either way, drink them and enjoy them!

 

[Travis K. Jansen]

It may be from exposure but also depending in sugar levels/random chance some do get a small krausen ring.

Either way, drink them and enjoy them!

I think these 5 aren't sealed the best. I'll definitely still drink them.