Advertisement
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/.
If we do not hit our goal we will be forced to close the site.

Current status: https://keepboardsalive.com/

Annual subs are best for most impact. If you are still undecided on going Ad Free - you can also donate using the Paypal Donate option. All contribution helps. Thank you.
https://www.boards.ie/group/1878-subscribers-forum

Private Group for paid up members of Boards.ie. Join the club.

Run out of carb drops and it's bottling day!

  • 23-03-2018 12:52PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 124 ✭✭


    I'm new to this game, just about to bottle my second batch and I've realised I only have enough carbonation drops for half the brew!

    So, should I:

    A) Bottle the half and wait for the carb drops to arrive? (should be with me on Monday/Tuesday)

    B) Leave the full brew in the bucket until the drops arrive and bottle then?

    C) Bottle today and use normal sugar for the second half?

    Advice greatly appreciated!


Comments

  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 12,096 Mod ✭✭✭✭BeerNut


    Just use sugar. That's all carbonation drops are. It's a good opportunity to experiment with doses if you mark what's in each bottle.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 124 ✭✭murdog!


    Thanks, how much sugar are we talking per 500ml?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 299 ✭✭Hingo


    1/2 - 3/4 tsp. will do the job. if the style requires high carbonation (like a Belgian or Weiss) the higher side of that scale would work better.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 124 ✭✭murdog!


    That's great thanks, off to the shed!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,798 ✭✭✭✭hatrickpatrick


    Would ye just drop a teaspoon of sugar into each bottle and then bottle as normal? All the guides I found online talked about making a sugar solution in a container of water, which would have involved an extra round of sanitising, rinsing etc and then having to measure proper amounts etc. Carb drops seemed a simple alternative to this but if you can just drop a teaspoon of ordinary white or brown sugar directly into each bottle, that's easier still...


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,686 ✭✭✭monty_python


    Would ye just drop a teaspoon of sugar into each bottle and then bottle as normal? All the guides I found online talked about making a sugar solution in a container of water, which would have involved an extra round of sanitising, rinsing etc and then having to measure proper amounts etc. Carb drops seemed a simple alternative to this but if you can just drop a teaspoon of ordinary white or brown sugar directly into each bottle, that's easier still...
    That's why I use carb drops. Can't be arsed with the extra work making the sugar solution and making sure it's through mixed in with oxadizing the beer would be a pain


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,125 ✭✭✭mordeith


    Just use a small spoon. If you can use a clean piece of paper to act as a funnel. Otherwise it can be hard stopping the sugar spilling around the top of the bottle


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 668 ✭✭✭jamesbil


    I used to use a spoon in each bottle but it's never very consistent. Each bottle will be carbonated slightly differently.

    Now I just scald a small pan out with boiling water and disolve the correct ampont of sugar in a small amount of water, (200ml) I add this to th ebeer when I transfer it to my bottling barrel.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,146 ✭✭✭aaronm13


    Batch priming is far more consistent and requires very little effort. The better carbonation results far out weigh the extra work as long as you have an extra bucket.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,190 ✭✭✭Bogwoppit


    Lads, if you haven't started batch priming then start now, best method by far.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16 ferg44


    I've been using the 3/4 tea spoon of sugar / bottle for 3 years, no problems.. can be bubbly if you use too much , but I hate a flat beer..
    for Cider I always add a v full spoon full to keep it carbonated ..
    I did the batch priming a few times , I keep meaning to do it again but Im just in the habit now of using the sugar ..
    use extra for cider though


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,691 ✭✭✭s3rtvdbwfj81ch


    I use DME to batch prime.


Advertisement