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You are here: Home --> Forum Home --> Brewing Forum --> Brewing Discussion --> Force Carbonation Question

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enobale
Snohomish
13 Posts


Over a week ago I brewed a Belgian Dark Strong based off of a Westy 12 Clone. When it is finally done bulking up in a keg I need to either bottle it or keg it. Originally I was going to keg it and put it on tap, but now I'm thinking I would like to bottle it. I had a couple questions about bottling. 

1. At first I was going to bottle condition this beer, but I really don't want to deal with champagne/Belgian bottles and corking my bottles. I was thinking of using my Blichmann Beer Gun to bottle it. Do I need to worry about bottle bombs since the beer needs to have a high PSI? Can I bottle this in normal beer bottles? Would you recommend this?

2. If I bottle it by force carbing the bottle ( Blichmann Beer Gun) will the beer still get better with age or should I bulk age it in a keg for a year and bottle it afterwards?

Hope this makes sense!





Posted 34 days ago.

ingoogni
nl
314 Posts


A normal beer bottle is strong enough, no need for champagne bottles.




Posted 34 days ago.

mchrispen
Bastrop, TX
485 Posts


I would force carbonate on the low side of the style parameters, but make sure it is completely attenuated.

1.) If you carbonate to 2.5-2.8 volumes, check your carbonation and make sure that everything is completely chilled to the same temps (beer, beer gun and bottles). That will help to keep the carb in solution. I get a little frustrated with the Beer Gun as it seems to foam a bit more than I want. Make sure to completely remove all pressure from the keg and the dial your regulator very low - 1-2 PSI is all you need. You will fill slower, but if the bottle is cold, the foam is minimized. I do 3-4 at a time letting the foam from the first reduce and top them back up if needed. Then cap.

2.) It will bottle age. I haven't seen a ton of difference, other than consistency, from bulk aging v bottle aging. Do make sure to keep the bottles cool if you can however. Temp swings aren't great for aging any beer.




Posted 34 days ago.

enobale
Snohomish
13 Posts


Thanks to both of you! These are the answers I was hoping for. I will let you know how it goes once I bottle it. I really appreciate it. 






Posted 34 days ago.

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