Home brewers may find themselves in frustrating situations regarding beer carbonation at what they believed was the end of the process, but all is not lost in most cases. Instead of throwing the batch out, there are a few things which can be done to help salvage the batch and address the carbonation issues with a few simple fixes. Both over carbonation and under carbonation are conditions which can cause disappointment in the brewers and those awaiting the end product. Here are some solutions you can use to try and resolve the issues.
The Causes of Over Carbonation in Beer
When beer is over carbonated it can result in a most unpleasant experience when opening them, as they are hyper explosive. There are a few potential causes for this and it is wise to figure out what went wrong in the process so you can avoid doing it with the next batch. Here are some useful questions to ask yourself. Was the room too warm during storage (over 75 degrees F)? Was the right amount of sugar used? Was the beer bottled too early in the process? If you answer yes to any or all of these questions then you will understand why the beer became over carbonated and can take the proper steps to avoid it in the future.
Overly Carbonated Beer Solutions
The only real solution for over carbonation is to refrigerate them for a period of time. The cooling process will lower some of the carbonation, but it will not take care of the entire problem. It can however, make the bottles less explosive when opened. The best solution is to discover the cause of the over carbonation and avoid doing it in future batches.
Under Carbonated Beer Fixes
When the beer is under carbonated, it is characterized by a flat taste and lack of a frothy head when poured. There are a few solutions which can solve the problem. If you’ve added the proper amounts of sugar or carbonation tablets, it could be that the beer simply needs to rest for a longer period of time. Try storing the beer in a place which is at room temperature above 70, but under 75 degrees F. Let the bottles rest with the necks down for 3 days, and then rotate them to an upright position for 3 days prior to opening. This is one of the most widely used solutions for regulating beer carbonation.
Whether over carbonated or under carbonated, an imbalance in beer carbonation can detract from the enjoyment of the end product. Achieving a perfect balance is the goal of all brewers. Practice makes perfect and getting tips from the professionals can help you to avoid costly and frustrating mistakes. For more information on beer carbonation from the experts, as well as any and all things regarding beverage processing, confer with the innovative pioneers found at TechniBlend.
