RyeIPA carbonation

Northern Brewer General
1

Hi,

have a question about carbonation of a RyeIPA I made few months ago.

The beer was good/great and was well carbonated after 2-3weeks (i bottle condition).
Most of the beer was gone after 2 months thanks to the help of some family and friends :slight_smile:

I tried it again a few months later and the beer was very highly carbonated - so much so it foamed out of the bottle even after pouring half a glass.
Any ideas why this happened? Its not bad, but I’m just curious what happened as i never had this happen to any of the other beers I have made.

2

Possible those bottles received more sugar than the others.

Possible the beer wasn’t done fermenting. The other bottles were consumed before there was an issue.

Possible an infection finally toke hold. Enough for over carbonation but not enough (yet) to change the flavor.

3

Thanks!

I think it definitely could be uneven sugar distribution. I did not stir the beer very well after adding the priming solution…

Not done fermenting, well the beer was 2 weeks in primary and 2 weeks in secondary at around 68F so it should be done? I have read that doing gravity measurements is not very reliable at that point to see whether fermentation is done, or should I have?

Infection? Interesting point. Of course could be. How would I be able to detect? I still have 2 bottles, are there certain off tastes I should be looking for? It def does not taste sour.

4

[quote=“pete_brewer”]Thanks!

I think it definitely could be uneven sugar distribution. I did not stir the beer very well after adding the priming solution…

Not done fermenting, well the beer was 2 weeks in primary and 2 weeks in secondary at around 68F so it should be done? I have read that doing gravity measurements is not very reliable at that point to see whether fermentation is done, or should I have?

Infection? Interesting point. Of course could be. How would I be able to detect? I still have 2 bottles, are there certain off tastes I should be looking for? It def does not taste sour.[/quote]

Let’em sit for 6-12 months and then try one. You’ll know if it’s infected. I just cracked open a bottle of my 2012 Winter Saison. It was an AWESOME beer 12 months ago. I saved 3 bottles to try this year and when I opened one the other night it tasted like cider. Definite infection.

5

[quote=“pete_brewer”]Thanks!

I think it definitely could be uneven sugar distribution. I did not stir the beer very well after adding the priming solution…

Not done fermenting, well the beer was 2 weeks in primary and 2 weeks in secondary at around 68F so it should be done? I have read that doing gravity measurements is not very reliable at that point to see whether fermentation is done, or should I have?

Infection? Interesting point. Of course could be. How would I be able to detect? I still have 2 bottles, are there certain off tastes I should be looking for? It def does not taste sour.[/quote]

1.) put the priming solution in the bottling bucket first, then rack the beer onto it. That will help with mixing.

2.) Maybe enough time, but no guarantee. Did you take a gravity reading before you bottled? You should have. There is no more reliable way.

6

[quote]1.) put the priming solution in the bottling bucket first, then rack the beer onto it. That will help with mixing.

2.) Maybe enough time, but no guarantee. Did you take a gravity reading before you bottled? You should have. There is no more reliable way.[/quote]

  1. Sometimes I forget but this is my typical method yes.
  2. Need to be more scientific about it and do that every time. Need to keep a stash of starsan to make sanitizing equipment a bit easier.
  • Thanks for the feedback
7

[quote=“pete_brewer”][quote]1.) put the priming solution in the bottling bucket first, then rack the beer onto it. That will help with mixing.

2.) Maybe enough time, but no guarantee. Did you take a gravity reading before you bottled? You should have. There is no more reliable way.[/quote][/quote]

  1. Sometimes I forget but this is my typical method yes.
  2. Need to be more scientific about it and do that every time. Need to keep a stash of starsan to make sanitizing equipment a bit easier.
  • Thanks for the feedback

Fill a spray bottle when you make some starsan it will come in handy.

8

I think someone led you astray there. Gravity readings are the ONLY way to see if fermentation is done.