Advice on fizz..

[sam pig]

Hi All,

Just brewed a kit for the first time in years (Woodford, Nelsons Revenge)..

Everything seems to have gone well. I bottled last weekend and it is conditioning and clearing well on the conservatory window sill.

I put a spoon of sugar in each litre bottle as advised. I have tried a bottle today and although the flavour is pretty good, it is completely flat. Is this normal?

I am not expecting or desiring champagne style action but was wondering if there is anything i can do at this stage to get a bit of head (so to speak)..

Thanks....................JP

 

[Mark1964]

did you keep the bottles somewhere warm for a few days to start fermentation again. Then a couple of weeks in a cool room. I think it needs more time :

 

[sam pig]

Hi,

I racked off into a second barrel and had that by the radiator for a week or so then bottled and put them straight on the windowsill (quite cool due to the time of the year)..

I am not convinced a secondary fermentation is occurring..

Do you think i could put them in a warmer place (close to my brewing radiator) for another week or so and then back on the window sill? Would it make any difference at this stage?

 

[Growler]

once you bottle you need to leave in a warm place for about a week then move to a cool place
I have found with the woodeford kits you need to try to leave them for around 6 weeks from bottling

 

[Mark1964]

wouldnt advise fermenting or secondary fermenting near a radiator just an 18 degree ferment then at room temp then somewhere cool to condition

 

[medlington]

I have the same problem with my Cordon Brew, I bottled 24 days ago and tried 2 of them the other day, both were flat and tasted too sweet like the secondary ferment wasn't happening, one had slightly more fizz than the other but I think that's because I poured it more vigorously. I did the same as with my last batch which is completely the opposite, that one is a Coopers European and has been conditioning for about 10 days longer, when I open them they are like Champaign and they actually volcano out of their bottles, too fizzy if anything and still got a couple of months left until theyr ready. Hopefully they wont turn into bottle bombs

Im hoping that if I leave the dodgy batch long enough they will condition properly.

 

[sam pig]

Gents,

Thanks for the advice. I put the bottles back by the radiator (cool radiator and on occasionally) for a few days and it really seemed to help. The bottles are back on the conservatory window sill and are like a different beer. The taste is spot on and the fizz is just right. Lots of guinea pigs over next week to try it out on..

I am going to brew without a kit next as i fancy the challenge..