Too much priming sugar Beer bottled or barrelled too early Poor sterilisation of bottles or barrel Over filling of bottles
Over carbonation is usually associated with bottled beer. It is a lesser problem with barrelled beer because barrels usually have a pressure relief valve.
The use of too much priming sugar will result in over carbonation. Measure and dispense the priming sugar carefully. For bottles use ½ level teaspoon in each bottle. For barrels use 80g (3oz).
It is important not to bottle or barrel the beer too early before the initial fermentation has finished. In this situation unfermented sugars are carried over into the bottle and when combined with the priming sugar (already in the bottle), excess gas is produced. If the gas pressure is high enough glass bottles will explode (a dangerous situation which can cause injury). Always check the brew with a hydrometer to ensure fermentation is complete prior to bottling.
Poor sterilisation of the bottles or barrel may allow the beer to come into contact with wild yeast, which can result in over carbonation and possibly off flavours. Ensure the bottles or barrel are thoroughly sterilised. Then thoroughly rinse with cold tap water before filling with beer. Bottles should be filled to allow ½ inch (15mm) of head space.
Comments
Too much priming sugar
Beer bottled or barrelled too early
Poor sterilisation of bottles or barrel
Over filling of bottles
Over carbonation is usually associated with bottled beer.
It is a lesser problem with barrelled beer because barrels usually have a
pressure relief valve.
The use of too much priming sugar will result in over carbonation. Measure
and dispense the priming sugar carefully. For bottles use ½ level teaspoon in
each bottle. For barrels use 80g (3oz).
It is important not to bottle or barrel the beer too early before the initial
fermentation has finished. In this situation unfermented sugars are carried
over into the bottle and when combined with the priming sugar (already in
the bottle), excess gas is produced. If the gas pressure is high enough glass
bottles will explode (a dangerous situation which can cause injury). Always
check the brew with a hydrometer to ensure fermentation is complete prior
to bottling.
Poor sterilisation of the bottles or barrel may allow the beer to come into
contact with wild yeast, which can result in over carbonation and possibly off
flavours. Ensure the bottles or barrel are thoroughly sterilised. Then
thoroughly rinse with cold tap water before filling with beer.
Bottles should be filled to allow ½ inch (15mm) of head space.