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Author Topic: Will the carbonation perk up?  (Read 3547 times)

Offline northarrow

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Will the carbonation perk up?
« on: January 10, 2013, 10:32:04 am »
I brewed an extract kit from NB a few weeks ago and bottled it a little over a week ago.  I popped open a trial at one week in the bottle and it barely had any carbonation.  I’m hoping that it just wasn’t mature enough at one week, and that it will gradually get better.  I followed the recommended 2/3 c of the supplied dextrose at bottling time, which wasn’t the entire 5 oz. package contents that was included with the kit.  I normally chuck the entire package in my other brews, with good results.  But whatever reason, I did what the directions recommended.

Is it a dog that won’t hunt at this point?

Offline redbeerman

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2013, 11:06:29 am »
One week is not long enough for a beer to carbonate in a bottle at room temperature.  At two weeks it may be most of the way there.  Probably best after three.
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2013, 11:25:55 am »
One week is not long enough for a beer to carbonate in a bottle at room temperature.  At two weeks it may be most of the way there.  Probably best after three.

+1.  Give it at least another week.
Dave Zach

Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2013, 11:37:37 am »
Yes, and make sure it is ~70F+ too.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline alcaponejunior

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2013, 01:10:20 pm »
Yes, and make sure it is ~70F+ too.

This.  Plus wait at least another week before testing another bottle.  And if you're in a hurry to drink your beers, use the full 5 oz corn sugar per 5 gallons.  This may result in over-carbonation though if they sit for several months.

Offline kramerog

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2013, 01:34:18 pm »
If you are seeing yeast at the bottom of the bottles, it can help to shake the bottles to rouse the yeast.  But time and temperature are more important.

Offline Herminator

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #6 on: January 10, 2013, 04:04:40 pm »
+1 on give it another week...actually 2.  I brewed a NB kit and used the recommended 2/3 cup and find it to be slightly under carbed still but its still there and not bad.  Give it some more time. 
Hermen D.
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Offline northarrow

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2013, 12:56:23 pm »
What a difference a week makes. I anxiously tried another sample yesterday.  It's been over two weeks since bottling now, and its come a long way.  I thought it was outstanding, with a nice head and lasing.  Thanks all for weighing in. 

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Will the carbonation perk up?
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2013, 01:09:59 pm »
When in doubt, ask the internet.
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