Bottling Carbination Methods Info Overload

Brewing Processes
1

In about three weeks I will be bottling my first batch of homebrew in about ten years, and I have been getting information overload on carbinating in the bottles.  I used to use 6 primetab pills per my 16 oz Grolsch bottles, but I see that product is no longer even made.  I see things like Cooper’s Carbination drops (1 per 12 oz, can 1 be used for 16?), Conditioning tabs, Corn Sugar, etc it is starting to boggle my mind.

I am guessing if I want to use the tablets, I will need some combination of them and that seems silly.

So, it is better to use tablets, or the 5 oz packages of corn sugar and use a bottling bucket?  I am assuming the 5 oz packages are the right size for a 5 gallon batch?

Thanks guys.

2

What kind of beer is it?  If you are using Grolsh bottles, I would use corn sugar in the racking bucket.

3

It’s and Irish Blonde Ale.  I imagine most of the beers I will brew will be ales.

4

I’d just use table sugar unless you have something else you want to use up. It’s cheap and the yeast don’t care where the sugar comes from. Just make sure you calculate the right amount for the batch volume and desired carbonation level.

http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/carbonation.html

5

+1 to table sugar. Unless I am being clever I rarely use anything else. Check out the carb calculator a10t2 mentions. I have not used that one but I can’t imagine there is that much difference between calculators. The only tricky thing about adding the sugar to the bottling bucket is making sure it is well mixed.

I measure out the sugar I need 5 oz is fine for most styles although I often use a little less for british styles as I don’t like them as carbonated. put it in a pan with enough water to disolve and bring to a boil. pop a lid on there and let it boil for a moment then turn off the heat. Do this an hour or so before bottling so it has time to cool a bit. Add to the bottling bucket first and rack the beer onto the sugar syrup. I have not had a problem with inconsistant carbing this way but some people like to gently stir the beer in the bucket with a sanitized spoon to make sure it is well mixed.

6

That carb calculator is pretty cool, thanks.

And thanks for the tip on how to make the priming solution.    I will go that way for sure now.

7

I’ve been using some of those carbonation tabs to bottle a sixer or so when I keg my batches.

I’ve found them to be VERY inconsistent.  Or, perhaps more accurately, I’ve found that they often result in overcarbed beers when you follow their dosing levels.

Back when I bottled regularly, I always used corn sugar and never had an issue.  I still have a pretty good sized bag of it.

JOE

8

+1 - I used to try and bottle some when kegging using these and their inconsistency drove me up a wall.  I now just put whatever doesn’t fit in the keg into 1 or 2 2L bottles with a carb cap.

never a problem with ye ole corn sugar method, so long as you gently stir periodically while filling.

9

+1.  If I remember correctly I used to use 3/4 cup of corn sugar and the method above.  For British Ales I would use 1/2 cup.