Beer Forum

Hey Guys,

My last two batches have had either noticibly weak or non-existant carbonation and I'm trying to determine the source. Both batches were approximately 5 gallon batches. I added 4.2 oz of corn sugar and it conditioned at room temp for a few weeks. One thing that has changed in my process during these last two batches is that I used a 2L yeast starter on a stir plate.

Fermentation was noticibly strong in both batches (WLP001). One thing I did that was common was let the beer sit in the primary a little longer than planned (due entirely to laziness). The first batch was at 18 days...the second batch sat in primary for 19 days.

With this very active fermentation is my yeast dropping so much by almost the 3rd week that I'm not getting enough in the bottling bucket for the corn sugar to be consumed?

Any thoughts from the brewing Gods?

I have just done something quite similar with a lager

After two weeks very little carbonation, but after four weeks very nice carbonation.

No brew god but one day i dream of it!
Not being as technical as some on here


I believe the yeast is on weaker side due to the fermenting reaching completion. i.e. lower hydro reading due to leaving it fermenting for weeks and weeks longer than necesssary.

There is still yeast in there but the carbonation will just take longer
Does that sound right all Brew Gods?

Adam

Probably right awalker...
a little hint, and the pope may not entirely approve of this one....
If you are afraid that there isn't enough yeast in suspension for bottling, during your siphon towards the end stir up a "little" of the crap on the bottom of your carboy... you only need a little.
This in theory could cause off flavors cause you are getting some bad and some good but if you are careful and only add like 1-2 oz of the stirred up stuff you should be fine.
BUB

Or if you want to keep it nice and clear
You could drop a small amount of dried champage yeast in each one

*** WARNING DONT OVER DO IT, OTHERWISE KA BOOM***

Turns out I was too impatient. I cracked one that had no carbonation after 2 weeks and at 4 it looks like it is starting to carbonate a little. I'll probably give it another 2 weeks and try again.