Beer in the fridge

[ukphiltr7]

Some of you may have seen my post about the Coopers Original Larger that I have made. I am currently drinking my way through it. It has been in the bottles now for around two months, so hopefully the secondary fermentation process is complete. I move a few bottles from the kitchen cupboard to the fridge and leave them there, ready for when I want one.

I have noticed that when I take the bottles from the cupboard at room temperature they are firm to the touch. However, when I take them out of the fridge (being in there anything from 2 days to 2 weeks), the bottles are not as firm. They are not soft by any means, just not as firm to the touch. When squeezed, they give just slightly.

Is this normal as the cold of the fridge is making things slightly contract or should the carbonation process keep the bottles firm no matter what temperature? Or am I leaving the bottles in the fridge too long and I should cut this down slightly?

 

[dad_of_jon]

beer absorbs more co2 at lower temps. less pressure at lower temps.

 

[ukphiltr7]

Thought something like that may be going on, so best to only put in the fridge an hour before I want to drink it then and not leave it there for long periods of time, if I want the firm bottle and more of a fizz when I open it?

Would that also affect the amount of bubbles I am not getting in the larger generally?

 

[Bigcol49]

Would that also affect the amount of bubbles I am not getting in the larger generally?

Hi!
Your bottles are going a little softer because of a slight reduction of the volume of beer as it is chilled - the molecules get closer together, and the volume of the beer decreases.
If you aren't getting as fizzy a lager as you would like, perhaps you need to up the priming sugar.

 

[ukphiltr7]

I have since removed my excess bottles out of the fridge and will only put them in there an hour or so before I want to drink them. I did notice that the bottles removed from the fridge had got firmer again. With the priming sugar , I take it that you mean when initially bottling them. Currently I add two carbonation drops per 740ml PET Bottles, which I thought would be enough. However, if I try to add one more drop to the remaining larger bottles, am I right in thinking that i will have a larger fountain lol?

 

[MickDundee]

If you want it fizzier, you are better to leave it in the fridge IMO. The softening of the bottles is the CO2 being absorbed into the liquid rather than in the headspace.

 

[ukphiltr7]

I totally agree, butwhen the bubbles are gone in a few seconds of being in yhe glass,I think ihave missed something importany. I must admit that I think it may just be the larger itself. I have a pale ale in the bottlea currently, so I am hoping for good things with this one.

 

[The Baron]

on your next attempt use sugar instead of drops as you will have more control of the carbing that suits you as every body is different and you can add more if needed as you gain experience. I dont batch prime as I keg and only fill a few bottles with leftovers after kegging so use a teaspoon (same teaspoon as they do vary)the back of a knife wiped over the spoon so that I get the same amount in each bottle and serve in a neucleated glass as this will help the bubbles to be released as you are drinking it. Batch priming is the way for you if fully bottling a batch and cheaper than carb drops

 

[ukphiltr7]

That is a good idea. I think on my next big brew, I will do a few of the bottles.with sugar for priming. So for the 750ml bottles, a level teaspoon of normal sugar? This was I will be able to judge the two types of priming.

 

[The Baron]

Hi
why dont you do 2 or 3 bottles with varying amounts of sugar to help you find out how much works for rather than just one amount

 

[The Baron]

A level teaspoon is where to start and then do 1 and a half then 2 please put them somewhere warm and place them in a cardboard box incase any over carb as you do not want bottle bombs exploding I believe you said they where 750ml bottles

 

[Covrich]

I often put mine for the weekend in the fridge to store but I remove them 30-40 mins before I drink them to warm up a little

 

[ukphiltr7]

Yep that is right 750ml bottles. I will be doing a Coppers British Bitter next and I am hoping for good things from that. I will try some with the drops and different amounts of sugar. However, do not want too many bubbles in a bitter lol. I will have to get another larger again soon.

 

[ukphiltr7]

Like the idea of taking out a bit before drinking. They will still be cool but hopefully firm up a bit.

 

[GerritT]

You use those brown plastic twist cap bottles? How is the quality? Comparable to glass?

 

[Richard_H]

I would also go with the option of removing a bottle from the fridge to allow it to warm up a few degrees before drinking which is what i do unless i want a cold pilsner or cider on a hot day. Generally your kitchen fridge will be 2-4°C which is too cold for just about all types of beer and as mentioned above there will be less co2

 

[ukphiltr7]

I have not long statted doing homebrew and in fact I am only on my third brew. I brought the kits with the plastic bottles in,so that is all I know. However, in saying that I have not had any issues with the plastic ones and they do the job. The good thing is that you can reuse the caps.