Bulk Priming And Different Size Bottles

[arsenewenger]

I usually bulk prime all my Ales @ around the 5g per liter which seems to work out OK for Me. I then botle into a mix of 750ml long necks and Grolsch bottles depending on what is empty at the time. When it comes time to drink the long necks are well carbonated and maintain great head throughout but the Grolsch bottles are bordering on overcarbonated and even some of them froth out over the top.


Any Ideas on what might be the thing I am doing wrong here.

Thanks
AW

 

[KoNG]

i cant really answer that directly, as i thought it would be the opposite problem.
Although, the good thing about grolsch bottles is they are easy to bleed if need be. 5g/L is definately not alot as long as youre getting full fermentation before bottling.
the only thing i can think of is that you have great seals on the grolsch bottles, but your capper isn't getting the best seal on the long necks (long shot stab..?)

 

[Stuster]

Strange. I bulk prime and have never noticed any difference between the different bottles I use. There should be no reason why there should be any difference of course. Another long shot stab, could there be something in the grolsch seals that is causing an infection in those bottles?

 

[AUHEAMIC]

One possible reason.

Sugar is heavier than water so if you are bottling the grolsh bottles last, and you dont (gently) stir the beer occasionally through the bottling process, the sugar will gravitate towards the bottom. This will result in your first bottles being less carbonated than your last.

 

[DarkFaerytale]

another long shot, are you making sure to mix your priming mix in well?

 

[razz]

Sounds like crook seals on the Grolsch bottles. <_<

 

[TidalPete]

the only thing i can think of is that you have great seals on the grolsch bottles, but your capper isn't getting the best seal on the long necks (long shot stab..?)

How long has it been since you replaced the sealer head on your bottle capper? It's a good idea to get a new one every so often as they wear over time resulting in a not so perfect seal.

:beer:

 

[Screwtop]

I usually bulk prime all my Ales @ around the 5g per liter which seems to work out OK for Me. I then botle into a mix of 750ml long necks and Grolsch bottles depending on what is empty at the time. When it comes time to drink the long necks are well carbonated and maintain great head throughout but the Grolsch bottles are bordering on overcarbonated and even some of them froth out over the top.
Any Ideas on what might be the thing I am doing wrong here.

Thanks
AW

Both the amount of sugar and ambient/storage temp are variables in the time taken for beer to reach a desired level of carbonation. The amount of carbonation sugar required naturally depends on the FG of the finished beer. When I was bottling, aways bulk primed and used a calculator to determine the amount of sugar so found ambient/storage temp to be a large contributor to my carbonation time. The time taken depends on where the bottles have been stored, bottles in crates in the shed where the afternoon sun shines in carb faster than those stored in other locations. Have found my stubbies carb faster too.

My guess Arsie, the smaller bottles provide a greater surface area to beer ratio so more heat penetration, maybe the stubbies have thinner glass wall or maybe Grolsh bottles are made from a more heat conductive glass. Maybe..... Maybe..... or Maybe.....
Cheers

 

[arsenewenger]

Thanks for the prompt and varied replies everyone , Never thought about replacing the capper head and also never thought about the stirring the bulked primed mix during the bottling process. And Screwtop the thcker and thinner glass theory with ambient temp sounds like a cluse to me , My house is east west facing so the brew room where the botles are stored get the arvo sun could be a contributing factor

WONT STOP ME DRINKING THEM THOUGH

Cheers
AW

 

[Batz]

Have you tried putting powered armadillo droppings around the crates?
This is best done on a full moon while wearing a grass skirt made of fresh hops,if you sprinkle grain that's fresh from the tun about,as well as singing a beer song,I believe you will not have any more problems.


Batz

 

[bconnery]

I use small grolsch swingtop and other swingtop bottles as my tasters in just about every batch and I do find a slight difference. Something about the pressure release as they are opened perhaps? Increased aeration as the beer goes in? Never been sure. I drink them earlier than all the capped ones and this minimises this effect.

I wouldn't think it was a problem with your capper because the capped ones are sealing well and giving you a good level of carbonation...

Failing that approach Batz's solution sounds like a goer, but please record and place the images on the site somewhere

 

[Murcluf]

When I bulk prime, I boil 1 1/4 cups of dextrose in a cup of water to disolve it, then add it to a 20L cube then fill it with brew then cap the cube. Now for the technical bit: I shake the living snot out of cube 3 times at 10 minute interval then bottle. Hasn't skipped a beat since I started doing it this way

 

[Screwtop]

Have you tried putting powered armadillo droppings around the crates?
This is best done on a full moon while wearing a grass skirt made of fresh hops,if you sprinkle grain that's fresh from the tun about,as well as singing a beer song,I believe you will not have any more problems.
Batz

should know by now Batz, what works for you doesn't necessarily work for everyone else.

PS: Does the Kin Kin General Store stock Armadillo droppings as well as Grains of Paradise?

 

[Chad]

...but the Grolsch bottles are bordering on overcarbonated and even some of them froth out over the top.

I too do a mixture of 750's with Grolsch bottles, but I bottle prime (not bulk), and I have to agree with the slight over carbonation of the Grolsch bottles. I try to use an accurate measure of sugar in the Grolsch's that is proportionate to the 750's.

I don't know if it is just me and my SWMBO, but there is something about the Grolsch's that ages the beer better. It's always seems fresher and better tasting. I think it is time for a blind triangle test.

 

[reVoxAHB]

also never thought about the stirring the bulked primed mix during the bottling process.

I had varying degree of carbonation in a couple of batches due to not stirring in the priming. Gently stirring at the initial addition of priming and (a few times) throughout bottling has resolved this for me.

I use the bottle & bulk priming calculator and a digital scale to establish exacting gram of chosen priming sugar to beer style. I also boil my priming sugar to 1 pint of water for approx. 15 mins and chill to temp of fermented beer before pouring onto my racked beer.

Have you tried putting powered armadillo droppings around the crates?
This is best done on a full moon while wearing a grass skirt made of fresh hops,if you sprinkle grain that's fresh from the tun about,as well as singing a beer song,I believe you will not have any more problems.
Batz

Now this, I've never tried. I generally cut up and snort armadillo droppings before bottling, however.

Hope helps,
reVox

 

[Adamt]

I have had quite a few inconsistent carbonations before i started stirring my bulk primed beer, I tend to stir after every 6 stubbies.