My Holy Grail
- Thread starter The Cat
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..and just after reading this I went into the garage to find my CO2 had emptied itself. Chorely Gas to the rescue... or Christmas is cancelled!
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I find that adding dextrin malt / carapils / oats to my mash bill helps head retention a lot.
But you're also disappointed in your carbonation levels which suggests you need more bottling sugar. Alternatively it's a great excuse to move to using kegs, CO2 and a beer gun / counterpressure system to fill your bottles.
But you're also disappointed in your carbonation levels which suggests you need more bottling sugar. Alternatively it's a great excuse to move to using kegs, CO2 and a beer gun / counterpressure system to fill your bottles.
kenstel
Well-Known Member
Bit late to the party, here, but well said Clarence. Not talking specifically about this thread, but in general on this forum, there are a few posters who only seem to be able to criticise rather than encourage and support. There's nothing more likely to put people off from asking for help than being put down by those who can't resist demonstrating their "superior" opinion.
Is that their intention, to drive newcomers and those who are less experienced away? The result would be a forum full of similar behaviour, hostile to those asking for help, in which case the obvious question would be "what is the purpose of the forum?"
Now, dont want to hijack the thread, but did feel Clarence's post should be commented on.
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kenstel
Well-Known Member
Jof made a comment in another thread about carbonation. He advised (from memory) adding more sugar to a couple of bottles to see how it goes. As you're disappointed with your carbonation, I'd suggest doing say half with the level of sugar (not drops) recommended by various tables, and put more in the other half. You could even split the other half into 2 and try a different level. At the end, you'd have 3 levels of carbonation. That would help you home in on what level suited YOU.
Remember different sugars have different fermentability so have different effects.
To use up your drops, trying adding sugar with them. You'll get more carbonation as well as using them up. They're expensive compared to sugar and not as convenient - try adding one and 3 quarters of a tablet, accurately and repeatably
Remember different sugars have different fermentability so have different effects.
To use up your drops, trying adding sugar with them. You'll get more carbonation as well as using them up. They're expensive compared to sugar and not as convenient - try adding one and 3 quarters of a tablet, accurately and repeatably
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The Cat
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I've taken a break lately from making ale but am back to it. Tonight I bottled an IPA and have got everything in place for temperature control. Have an unplugged fridge with a heatpad inside connected to an inkbird and have it settled at 20 degrees so will leave all the bottles in there for some weeks.
Used plain sugar via a funnel this time - was just timescale usually would batch prime but have given up on the drops.
Thanks again for the advice am really looking forward to seeing how it turns out this time and won't be rushing it.
If this gets life into the beer I think I'm there as I've loved the taste of all the previous ones they just need more life.
Also used Star San on the bottles and finally trusted the don't fear the foam mantra.
Fingers crossed for Christmas.
The Cat
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Opened one tonight after 2 weeks in the bottle and my beer finally has a head.
Excited to retry my favourite Belgian one again now. Not sure how I missed this step when starting out as I did read a lot or maybe I thought the ambient temperature was sufficient perhaps. Gonna leave them in the fridge at 20 now for another couple of weeks and try another one then.
Excited to retry my favourite Belgian one again now. Not sure how I missed this step when starting out as I did read a lot or maybe I thought the ambient temperature was sufficient perhaps. Gonna leave them in the fridge at 20 now for another couple of weeks and try another one then.
I would have written this, if was not already wrote. I like a draught beer level of carbonation from my bottles but am less concerned about head retention. I had a glass with a sparkler in it which made the ale overflow.
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