Carbonation

[K. C.]

So I just finished my first brew, US Chiller. I kegged and let it sit in secondary fermentation for 2 weeks. The issue is, when I poured a glass & it was very foamy, but when I went to drink it the beer tasted flat?  

How can it be foamy, but a little flat at the same time? & how do I fix that?

[Captain 3 Droids]

31 minutes ago, K. C. said:

So I just finished my first brew, US Chiller. I kegged and let it sit in secondary fermentation for 2 weeks. The issue is, when I poured a glass & it was very foamy, but when I went to drink it the beer tasted flat?  

How can it be foamy, but a little flat at the same time? & how do I fix that?

Hi K.C. It can be foamy and flat at the same time but to answer in your case need to know if BrewFlo kegs and carbonated with the sugar blocks or ss kegs and co2? Also what temperature beer poured at and was the glass cold?

thanks

Edited June 21, 2021 by Captain 3 Droids

[K. C.]

I used my own 2liter SS keg.

I put both sugar blocks in the keg then waited 2 weeks. I didn’t use any regulator or mini CO2 tanks

beer was poured at 45 degrees F / 7 degrees C.

Glass was room temp

[Captain 3 Droids]

3 minutes ago, K. C. said:

I used my own 2liter SS keg.

I put both sugar blocks in the keg then waited 2 weeks. I didn’t use any regulator or mini CO2 tanks

beer was poured at 45 degrees F / 7 degrees C.

Glass was room temp

I’d say there are two issues here. 1) 2 weeks may well not be long enough for full carbonation (now note 10l ss keg). 2) The beer at 7C going into a warm glass would cause co2 to come out of solution (beer) and cause foaming therefore also making the beer flat. Chill your glass in the fridge or freezer and try to get your beer down to around 4C when ready to consume. 

Also what type of tap are you using on the keg to pour and what is your set up to dispense the beer?

[K. C.]

I hit the pressure release valve on the keg & very little gas came out. So I’m guessing it’s just not fully carbonated

[K. C.]

I think I’ll buy a regulator gas ball lock quick connect, and use the mini CO2 canisters to fully carbonate 

[K. C.]

2 hours ago, Captain 3 Droids said:

I’d say there are two issues here. 1) 2 weeks may well not be long enough for full carbonation (now note 10l ss keg). 2) The beer at 7C going into a warm glass would cause co2 to come out of solution (beer) and cause foaming therefore also making the beer flat. Chill your glass in the fridge or freezer and try to get your beer down to around 4C when ready to consume. 

Also what type of tap are you using on the keg to pour and what is your set up to dispense the beer?

this is the keg I’m using:

YaeBrew Stainless Steel 2.6 Keg

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCP2S7B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_69ZQR894D1DTX7RH5XJN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is the tap I’m using:

Beer Keg Tap Spring Loaded -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TN829YM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZAGC0YF3W8ZHK9C6PEVV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

im not using any CO2 connection 

 

[Captain 3 Droids]

2 minutes ago, K. C. said:

this is the keg I’m using:

YaeBrew Stainless Steel 2.6 Keg

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCP2S7B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_69ZQR894D1DTX7RH5XJN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is the tap I’m using:

Beer Keg Tap Spring Loaded -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TN829YM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZAGC0YF3W8ZHK9C6PEVV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

im not using any CO2 connection 

 

Ok, both good however you need co2 to maintain the carbonation and to pour the beer. If you initially just used the tap then you are using the Co2 pressure in the keg, lessening the carbonation and your beer will go flat. After a few glasses there will be no pressure to pour anymore.

[K. C.]

Cool, that’s what I assumed, just needed confirmation. I’m waiting on the ball lock connect to get shipped to me as I have the regulator and the mini CO2 canisters already. I assumed the connection for the regulator was in the box with it, but it wasn’t & that’s what I get for waiting to open the box for the regulator. 

[Rob Courtney]

3 hours ago, K. C. said:

this is the keg I’m using:

YaeBrew Stainless Steel 2.6 Keg

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DCP2S7B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_69ZQR894D1DTX7RH5XJN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is the tap I’m using:

Beer Keg Tap Spring Loaded -

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TN829YM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZAGC0YF3W8ZHK9C6PEVV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

im not using any CO2 connection 

 

Like the set up, 8 of those would go down a treat

[K. C.]

On 21/06/2021 at 1:52 AM, Captain 3 Droids said:

Ok, both good however you need co2 to maintain the carbonation and to pour the beer. If you initially just used the tap then you are using the Co2 pressure in the keg, lessening the carbonation and your beer will go flat. After a few glasses there will be no pressure to pour anymore.

 

On 21/06/2021 at 5:37 AM, Rob Courtney said:

Like the set up, 8 of those would go down a treat

Any tricks to carbonating?  Just attach the regulator to the keg and twist the CO2 into the regulator.  What PSI should I start with? Do I have to wait a certain amount of time?

[Captain 3 Droids]

3 hours ago, K. C. said:

 

Any tricks to carbonating?  Just attach the regulator to the keg and twist the CO2 into the regulator.  What PSI should I start with? Do I have to wait a certain amount of time?

Generally carbonation and dispensing is between 8 to 12 psi depending mostly on your set up. As your tap will be attached directly to the keg (no beer line therefore no resistance) I’d start with 8psi. Carbonation under the “set and forget method” will take probably 4 days, test by pouring a drink to see if you need longer.