Extreme gushers

That's always frustrating. I'm not sure how you procured them and what they went through during distribution, but it's possible some or all of them became infected. In the future, I'd definitely try chilling them for longer than that; besides reducing the risk of gushing it's always best practice for bottle conditioned beers because the yeast sediment will settle out and they'll pour clearer.

 

Sounds like the beer is over attenuated. Some theories exist that elevation or rapid onset storm systems can potentially alter the pressure inside the bottle too. But lets stick with idea of over attenuation from the yeast (priming, gravity, infection, etc.).

Regardless of the cause, if there is ever any doubt, stick it in the fridge for at least 24 hours ( a few days is best). CO2 gas solubility increases the colder the beer gets. Simply put, the colder the beer the more effectively CO2 is absorbed into the solution.

1) Get it cold and let it come to room temp in the glass.

I have even had some brett beers in the fridge for a few days, and were fine when popped and level on the counter. However, as soon as I went to pour, CO2 rose from the lees on the bottom and it started foaming. Pouring as slowly and carefully as possible will also help.

2) Pour slowly.

 

Yes, the most violent I ever had was a bottle of de Garde Vin Lee. I lost about 2/3 of the bottle. It, quite literally, gushed like the old Diet Coke and Mentos experiment. It was my fault though, I received it in the mail that day about 2 hours earlier. I did not give it enough time to settle and chill prior to opening.

 

It is most likely an infection. Fusarium infected malt is notorious for gushing; Here is a link to an article on it:
http://www.morebeer.com/brewingtechniques/bmg/gudmestad.html

 

A couple of years ago I was at a local LQ and the manager pulled me into the back to show me video surveillance of an employee stocking shelves. All of a sudden two beers shot off right by his head and he hits the deck. haha. I guess they were Green Flash Rayon Verts. I have heard similar stories about this beer in the past.

 

I tecently had that happen with a Lakefront Brandy barrel Pumpkin. Popped the top and heard a tinking sound and then the beer started foaming up for about a minute or more. Only displaced about a 1/4 of the bottle and when I tasted it, it seemed just fine. The only thing I can think is that it went through an abrupt temperature change as it had warmed up around us by 30 degrees in a couple days and since it wasnt in the fridge it is the only thing I can think of.

Next one goes in the fridge for a couple of days as recommended by @TriggerFingers . Also remember people having problems with New Glarus's Berlinner Weis. People had reported them exploding in trade boxes from being jostled around during shipping and I think a few might have let go from just regular handling.

 

I too have had Rayon Vert gush on me.

 

I had a couple beers that I aged a little over a year do the same thing. Cooled them for a couple days before hand too. I think they went bad or were too warm when aging based on the not so pleasant taste of what was left. Other bottles that were around the same age and stored in same conditions were fine though......weird.

 

For me my last gusher was a bottle of duvel that I bought in a gift set with a glass for drink with the duvel day. Lost almost the entire bottle . Only a swallow or two was left after the gushing. I thought maybe it was older stuff.

 

Not sure if it counts, but a couple of hours ago popped a Saison du Pont and lost about 1/3 of the bottle due to this. Really dumb too because I knew this happened with this beer (any bottle conditioned Belgain really). Just wasn't paying attention.

Any my clothes from the day now reek of beer. I hope my jeans enjoyed the bit I didn't get to drink.

 

Here in the UK we had Siren and Prairie produce a blended saison called Ratchet. Gushed so badly I only had froth to drink! You can see several people opening them in youtube to amazing fob!

 

Anyone with a bottle of Logsdon Seizoen Bretta needs to be careful. I was ready with the last bottle I opened and still managed to lose a bunch when it gushed.

 

I always open the usual suspects over the sink with a glass at the ready. Have had exciting openings of Oro de Calabaza, Bretta Seizoen and Orval. And I do miss the Rayon Vert.

 

Store the bomber on its side in the fridge? That happens with some beers if you do that. Store them upright and you will cut this out.

 

My girlfriend and I have collectively been sprayed on by three of Victory's Wild Devil. She lost about 1/3 of her first bottle and made a mess of her kitchen. After warning me I tried to open mine slowly, which is hard to do with a cork, and only lost a little bit, but it still got my shirt. Why she bought yet another after two gushers (and not even enjoying it much) I'm not sure, but that one was a volcano as well. I'm surprised we and our kitchens don't still smell like beer.

 

Like celebrity deaths gushers always come in thirds.

 

I had a bottle of Jolly Pumpkin foam out all over and it was horrible tasting as well as uncarbonated......I have had many of the same beer that was great

PBC...Philadelphia brewing was a cheap decent local I drank a bunch of till every time I opened one they gushered. Pale ale and Coffee porter. I returned a case to them and the next time I bought a case, different case lot it gushed too. Bottles all had a thin ring around the neck.....Bacteria?

Brett beers with age will gush but that is brought on by the brett......I have no issues with this.....

Enjoy

 

Never had a gusher but have worried about Orval given the huge head I always get from it.

 

I'd never thought of that, but yes, that would absolutely be true. To what extent would depend on the storm, but if it were say, the hurricane that destroyed Galveston, TX in 1900 with the Barometric pressure dropped to record levels, you'd be in trouble!

Think of it this way: when you crack the cap to open a 2-liter bottle of soda you get an initial release of gas as what's in the head space is allowed out - right? But it foams-up following that, with a second gush of gas! That's because the pressure that was keeping the gas contained within the liquid has been released, and now the gas can escape the liquid. If the barometer drops, that means that the air pressure all around you has dropped, and that would certainly exacerbate the issue we just covered... and when opening a bottle of beer there's (usually) no screw cap to slow the exchange of gas, just one crimp and release.