Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

I just completed my first batch from a kit, and it said to add 2 1/2 tsp of sugar to the liter bottles.

I just sampled it for the first time today and the finish tastes a little sweet. Before bottling the beer tasted flat, there was no sweetness left.

I have a stout that is ready to be bottled. I am putting this in 12 oz bottles. I have heard that 3/4 tsp of sugar should be used.

Is this too much?

I mix 2/3-3/4 of a cup (5oz)of priming sugar per 2 cups of water, boil for 5 minutes and add to 5 gallons of beer in a bottling bucket.

Yeah, the easiest way is the whole amount of sugar water into the bottling bucket then into individual bottles. Brewing Classic Styles has a nomograph for figuring how much sugar you need to make a desired CO2 level. Otherwise google it. Turns out great. I actually still do this with my lagers in the kegs. I think a little extra yeast activity really helps clean up the lager flavors.

I also do sugar boiled in water for the full batch and add it to the bottling bucket. I like to put it in the bottling bucket first and when I rack to the bucket I make sure the tubing enters in a circular motion to mix it with the wort. I have very even carbonation bottle to bottle with this technique.

I've been going by the net and the Mr. Beer kit that I have as far as the brewing and etc.

Next time, I am going to expand a little and try mixing the sugar in the bottling bucket. It sounds like that is much easier, and evens out the carbonation.

Thanks for your help!

nomograph also here: http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter11-4.html

That said, when I bottled I just used the nominal amount and it worked fine. I typically do the same when I keg condition, but that's easy to adjust if it doesn't turn out as expected.

The only method that I use for individual bottles is to use Cooper tablets. I do this when I'm only bottling a handful of bottles. Otherwise, like everyone else, just mix up the sugar water and add in the bulk beer in your bottling bucket.

tony b wrote:The only method that I use for individual bottles is to use Cooper tablets. I do this when I'm only bottling a handful of bottles. Otherwise, like everyone else, just mix up the sugar water and add in the bulk beer in your bottling bucket.

ditto