Uneven carbonation

[zippys]

Hi, I recently made my first beer. I used sugar cubes for the bottle carbonation, so the amount was the same for all bottles (2g per 0,25 l bottle) and I am very sure that I didn't forget to add sugar to some of the bottles.
The bottles I filled towards the end of the filling process contain more sediments than the ones I filled at first.
Here is my problem: the bottles with sediment are perfectly carbonated. The ones without or very few sediments are quite flat.
I stored them in a row according to the order they were filled. So it is quite obvious that the ones I filled in last are the most carbonated.
Will the other bottles carbonate by time?

 

[pvtpublic]

How long ago did you bottle?

 

[zippys]

3 weeks ago

 

[Skeeter686]

Welcome to the forum!

How long have the bottles been carbonating? The ones with more sediment are probably just carbonating faster because there may be more yeast in them. I expect that the others will catch up in another week or so.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

What was the yeast strain for primary fermentation?

 

[pvtpublic]

What temp are you storing the bottles?

 

[zippys]

What was the yeast strain for primary fermentation?

It says American Ale on the package

 

[zippys]

What temp are you storing the bottles?

Unfortunately quite chilly. 17 degree celcius at the time

 

[zippys]

Welcome to the forum!

How long have the bottles been carbonating? The ones with more sediment are probably just carbonating faster because there may be more yeast in them. I expect that the others will catch up in another week or so.

For a more even result, could I stir the beer before bottling?

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

It says American Ale on the package

Thanks. I'll guess it's a high flocculation strain. So the yeast fell to the bottom after primary fermentation was complete and pretty much stayed there.

@Skeeter686 , in #4, makes a good recommendation. At 17C/62F, the first bottles may need two weeks rather than one.

 

[MaxStout]

Store the bottles in a warmer place, say 20-22C. Also, check to see if all the cubes have dissolved--shine a light and see if there's something sitting on the bottom. If so, give the bottles a gentle shake or two.

 

[zippys]

Thanks for your kind advices. Probably some patience will solve the problem
I already gently shaked them a couple of days ago. Unfortunately I can't store the bottles at a higher temperature right now. At 17 degrees will it just take longer or will the yeast do nothing at all?
@BrewnWKopperKat suggested the yeast fell to the bottom after primary fermentation. Does that mean there might be no yeast at all in the clear bottles?

​

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

could I stir the beer before bottling?

That will oxidize the beer.

Are you bottling directly from the fermenter?

Does that mean there might be no yeast at all in the clear bottles?

It looks like there is less yeast in the first bottles. Work with the bottles from last bottled to first bottled.

At 17 degrees will it just take longer or will the yeast do nothing at all?

It will take longer (maybe a week or two). Starting with less yeast will also add some time to carbonation.

I can't store the bottles at a higher temperature right now.

If you have a small beverage cooler, put some of the first bottles in the cooler, fill the cooler with 22C water and maintain the water temperature in the 20C-22C range for about 10 days. If the water goes below 18C, just raise it back to 22C. After 10 days, try one of the bottles.

 

[zippys]

That will oxidize the beer.

Are you bottling directly from the fermenter?


It looks like there is less yeast in the first bottles. Work with the bottles from last bottled to first bottled.


It will take longer (maybe a week or two). Starting with less yeast will also add some time to carbonation.


If you have a small beverage cooler, put some of the first bottles in the cooler, fill the cooler with 22C water and maintain the water temperature in the 20C-22C range for about 10 days. If the water goes below 18C, just raise it back to 22C. After 10 days, try one of the bottles.

Thanks for the advice with the beverage cooler !!!
I bottle directly from the fermenter via a built in faucet at the bottom and an attached long filling pipe

 

[zippys]

Just a quick update on my first ever batch of homebrewed beer:
Of course the main problem was patience
All bottles are nicely carbonated and the taste is very satisfying as well.
The only issue left is that the beer is nice and foamy when I pour it in the glass, but the foam is not very stable. I tried different glasses that have not been in the dishwasher etc., but no effect.
My famous "first bottles", the ones with more yeast sediment, had a really strong, lasting, creamy white foam. Let me guess: patience?

 

[EyeofdaHawk]

Unless they improved them in the years since I've used them, the carbonation drops are very inconsistent. When i still bottle carbonated my beer i would use brown sugar (there are multiple calculators online), dissolve it in a pot with water, and add the whole thing to the wart. This removes the potential issue of having different amounts of sugar in each bottle and should result in a consistent carbonation.

Otherwise agree with the temp issue. The yeast will be more active at a higher temp. But be aware, after you've achieved for desired carbonation, keep the bottles in the fridge less they over pressure and well pop.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Unless they improved them in the years since I've used them, the carbonation drops are very inconsistent.

They improved them over the years. And they come in a variety of formats. For example

Over in /r/homebrewing, there is a "bottle conditioning" trouble shooting list that one of the mods/experts posts from time to time. In the mid-2020s, most problems with consistency seem to be due to bottle caps, bottling equipment, and/or the capping process.

Bottling is a skill. And a skillful bottler is able to bottle consistently using a wing capper and carbonation tablets.

Swing-top bottles + carbonation tablets (for example: see MoreBeer's Flash Brewing kit) may be an interesting simplification of the bottling process. Yes it's a "pay for convince" appoach for bottling.