Replenishing flat beer in a resealable container: a thought experiment

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by elNopalero, Aug 6, 2012.

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  1. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    So here's a question for ya'll:

    Let's say, hypothetically, I have a flip-top bottle of some delicious brew that's gone flat. (See any thread about opening a 750 and saving half of it for later.) How could I revive this beer? If it's bottle-conditioned and there's still some residual yeast would I be able to kick start the fermentation once again by adding some honey or maple syrup?

    Follow-up question: let's say, hypothetically, I have half a growler left of a Belgian triple which is also available at stores in the area. Could I replenish the growler, let it sit, and bring it back to life? In general, I know low-carbonation beers seem to hold up longer in growlers, but how about brews with active yeast cultures present?

    Some food for thought on a late night Sunday. Homework for the week!
     
    #1 elNopalero, Aug 6, 2012
  2. Jose2412

    Jose2412 Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2012 Michigan

    I'm not sure if you'd be able to 'kick start' the yeast, but even if you could the beer would probably be pretty oxidized by that point, and thus, no good.
     
    #2 Jose2412, Aug 6, 2012
    harrymel likes this.
  3. strictly4DK

    strictly4DK Initiate (0) Mar 26, 2009 Pennsylvania

    It seem as if you could try this with some dextrose but are you sure that the yeast is still that active? How long ago was the bottle conditioning started? It's my understanding that yeast in bottle conditioning does not go through a growth phase so whatever was there could be pooped out depending upon the age. That being said, if you don't enjoy flat beer why not just try it and report back?

    You may have an issue with the growler depending upon oxygen permeability of the screw on cap. Also, you may have an issue with oxidation as previously noted if you cannot purge the head space with CO2. But screw it, dextrose is cheap enough so give it a go!
     
    #3 strictly4DK, Aug 6, 2012
  4. Mavajo

    Mavajo Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2007 Georgia

    From my understanding, loss of carb is only half the problem. Oxidation is the other.
     
    #4 Mavajo, Aug 6, 2012
  5. bbeane

    bbeane Pundit (983) May 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I thought some people had successfully done this with the flat Angel's Share bottles.
     
    #5 bbeane, Aug 6, 2012
  6. crusian

    crusian Pooh-Bah (1,989) May 14, 2010 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    I do this all the time with my soda machine.
     
    #6 crusian, Aug 6, 2012
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