Flat beer

[paulywalks]

Evening all

My first extract homebrew is 7 weeks old and I tried the first bottle yesterday, unfortunately I discovered it was flat!

I fermented for 2 weeks, dry hopped for 2 weeks and then added primary sugar and left for one week before bottling (then left for 2 weeks for conditioning), all in my primary fv. I'm guessing that this (adding sugar to primary fv for a week and then bottling) is why it is flat...

My question is...can I open the bottles, add carbonation drops and then recap the bottles (leave to condition for a week or two) to solve this problem? Might sound daft but thought it was worth asking.

Fortunately I'm happy with the smell and taste of the beer, just a shame I didn't carbonate it properly!

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[bomberns127]

only add priming sugar as you bottle, so when its capped it can go to work in the bottle, what was the fg before bottling?

 

[Mad Dog]

Yes, the sugar you added to the fermentor got used up and the co2 dissipated into the atmosphere before bottling. You could try adding to bottle and recap but be aware of introducing contamination...

 

[PD]

to confirm... you added priming sugar to your fv left it for a couple of weeks then bottled ??
If thats the case no wonder its flat. the yeasts just ate off your priming sugar and the gas escaped as normal...
Never mind its a bit stronger....
Yes open each and now add your priming sugar 3gms per 500ml bottle or if its easier for you add a carbonation drop. Then tighten the caps and leave in warmth for 2 weeks then cool for one....Then open....drink...

 

[paulywalks]

Thanks for the replies...fg was 1010 from 1038, will try adding priming sugar to some of the bottles rather than all and see how it goes.

All the best.

 

[paulywalks]

This worked by the way, in case anyones interested. Added 1/2 tspn of priming sugar, left for one week at room temp before trying, beer had to be cold though, added in a couple bottles at room temperature and fizzed over before I could recap.