Will an over-carbed beer settle down over time?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Tyecko, Jun 25, 2014.

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  1. Tyecko

    Tyecko Initiate (0) Mar 19, 2014 Minnesota

    I started cracking open my homebrew Mosaic IPAs the other day and while tasting great, they unfortunately are quite over-carbonated. They are to the point where even when slowly pouring, having been in the fridge, and with a wet glass I still end up with either half a glass of head or a beer with the bite of a soda.

    I've been told that refrigerating it will help, but is it possible also that it will decrease in carbonation over time as well? I'm just trying to figure out the best way to salvage what I have left
     
    #1 Tyecko, Jun 25, 2014
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Carbonation won't decrease over time, unless the bottles are not properly capped.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Jun 25, 2014
  3. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Assuming you've bottled? My 1st batch which I am still drinking is a little too carby for me. I get a nice, loud POP from the EZ-cap bottle when opened. I just open it, let it sit for a bit and pour then let it sit some more. Sometimes I'll open a bottle to let the CO2 out, then I recap. You might try that. Might take a time or 3 to get it down. Don't use the word "salvage" though. Your beer isn't ruined. The cooler it is, the easier it pours, but all the carbonation is still there.
     
    #3 ronobvious2, Jun 25, 2014
  4. kennyg

    kennyg Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2007 Illinois

    I had that problem when I bought a kit and used the entire amount of priming sugar they provided. I quickly learned that you can calculate exactly how much priming sugar you need based on style and volume going into bottles. Its been great since.

    Not sure if this is what caused your problem, just throwing it out there! Cheers!

    http://www.northernbrewer.com/priming-sugar-calculator/
     
    #4 kennyg, Jun 25, 2014
  5. hopsputin

    hopsputin Grand Pooh-Bah (4,403) Apr 1, 2012 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    What I did on an over carbonated batch of mine was to 'bleed' the bottles of CO2 by slightly opening the caps and letting some CO2 escape, then recapping. It helped with some gushing, but didn't really change the carbonation in the mouthfeel
     
    #5 hopsputin, Jun 25, 2014
  6. cmmcdonn

    cmmcdonn Initiate (0) Jun 21, 2009 Virginia

    Take extra precautions when doing something like that. Simply opening the bottle to clear the headspace may not be enough if the bottles are highly overcarbed. I learned the hard way that the added stress to the bottle by recapping after "burping" it can make it blow. I am extremely fortunate that a broken thumb knuckle is all that resulted from that experience.

    http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/best-mistakes.125681/page-2#post-1989187
     
    #6 cmmcdonn, Jun 25, 2014
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