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Large vs Small Bottles
For my first couple of batches I bottled in normal sanatized 12oz bottles. I have since bought twelve 1L bottles with the rubber lock top. The first batch that I bottled in these (Double IPA) turned out well, but since then the beer seems to be slightly off compaired to the regular bottles. For my most recent batch, a Begian wheat beer, I bottle some in the 12oz and some in the 1L bottles. The beer in the normal size bottles turned out wonderful and the beer in the large 1L bottles turned out poorly.
Any specific reason for this?
I made sure the 1L bottles were also sanatized correctly.
The carbination is also much better in the 12oz bottles, but that is not as large of an issue as the taste at this point. It is nearly undrinkable in the 1Ls.
it's been awhile since i bottle conditioned, and i never used the swing top bottles, but the amount of head space could be what is affecting your carbonation levels.
i think the rationale is that if too little room is left, adequate pressure can't develop, or it may just take longer to develop to an appropriate level. carbontion levels can have a fairly significant impact on taste.
another possible scenario would be that your bottles aren't sealing completely, allowing carbonation to seep out, and contaminates to get in. you can test this by trying the old balloon (or condom) over the cap and neck of the bottle right after you prime and seal. if the balloon fills up, you've got a leak.
since you've got half your batch turning out well, and the half with the swing tops turning out poorly, i would consider scrapping the swing tops. the 22 oz bottles always worked well for me and you know you are gonna get a good tight seal since you are using standard caps.
...or use this as an opportunity to switch to kegging! hence the reason its been awhile since i messed with bottling!!
good luck
Are you changing the rubber swingtop gaskets after each use? If not that could be the problem.
I think that it's simply a matter of time. When you bottle condition you tend to get some green flavors showing up in the beer due to the new fermentation that allows for carbonation to happen. With 12 oz bottles you have less beer in it and these tastes clean up pretty quick. With 1L bottles, you've got more beer in there and it takes longer to clean up.
Even if it's not due to the bottle conditioning, there are still going to be green flavors in the beer when you bottle. Once again, these seem to clean up faster in smaller bottles than in larger ones.
Also, the larger bottles can take longer to carb, even with proper headspace.
I'd say wait another week or two, then try the beer in the 1L bottles again. I'm willing to bet that it'll improve. When it comes to homebrewing: when in doubt, wait it out.
archie1791 wrote:
For my first couple of batches I bottled in normal sanatized 12oz bottles. I have since bought twelve 1L bottles with the rubber lock top. The first batch that I bottled in these (Double IPA) turned out well, but since then the beer seems to be slightly off compaired to the regular bottles. For my most recent batch, a Begian wheat beer, I bottle some in the 12oz and some in the 1L bottles. The beer in the normal size bottles turned out wonderful and the beer in the large 1L bottles turned out poorly.
Any specific reason for this?
I made sure the 1L bottles were also sanatized correctly.
The carbination is also much better in the 12oz bottles, but that is not as large of an issue as the taste at this point. It is nearly undrinkable in the 1Ls.
If the 12 oz are coming out fine but the big swing tops aren't then it's a sanitation issue. How are you sanitizing the swingtops? the tops should be submerged in sanitizer. I have 2 16 oz swing tops and don't have any issues with them. You need to leave enough air space in the large bottles for proper carbonation. a regular bottle filler tube is good for 12, 16 and 22 oz bottles but the big 1L bottles you might need to play with where you fill at for best carbonation results.
Check the seal on the 1L swingtop caps. See if there's any cracks. Also make sure you don't touch them when taking them out of sanitizer, and handling them to seal the bottles.
DC
I have a bottle of saison in my fridge that I bottled a year ago may, I will pop that open and see how how it tastes- all for the sake of science here of course. I will report back!
ditto on the carb time. I use swing tops only for real special beer, or beer i'm going to have age for a while, they work great, but take at least a good month to carb properly. I use alot of the 12 ozers because I don't have to worry about getting them back. I got a case of the 1 liter swing tops, and i'm still pissed about losing 2 of them.
Disappointed. There are no off flavors and it is delicious, but does not have the same effervescence as it had a year ago, although still somewhat carbed, I would guess 2 vols it feels like. I would not bottle in swingtops again for long term.
That is the last saison, but I have about 10 barleywines in swingtops for long term. Not that they need to be highly carbed, but it does show me that slowly pressure is escaping. Either that or my memory sucks and that is exactly how they were a year ago- I guess no hard proof science here.
Thanks for all the input.
I'll probably end up chalking this one up to either the rubber gaskets or poor sanitiation. I do have a hard time swallowing that though because I'm admittedly a bit anal when it comes to sanitation. Also, the gaskets appear to be in great condition and I do get a nice pop when opening them.
The only other possbile reason is that I only fermented this batch in a primary for about 8 days. Reaching my final gravity wasn't a problem, but I'm thinking there may have been too much sediment. The previous two times I usued these 1Ls I have made an IPA with a partial recipe that I dry hopped. Because of this I had it in a secondary as well. This batch I used strictly DME so I assumed sediment wouldnt be an issue.
Anyways I'm going to let the remaining 1Ls sit for another few weeks (it's been about 7) to see if they get any better.
Curiously, what is your sanitation method?
If you describe the flavor difference maybe people can help troubleshoot the problem.
archie1791 wrote:
Thanks for all the input.
I'll probably end up chalking this one up to either the rubber gaskets or poor sanitiation. I do have a hard time swallowing that though because I'm admittedly a bit anal when it comes to sanitation. .
Wel lthat could be the problem. Anal sanitation doesn't work. Never ever stick a beer bottle up your .... to sanitize the bottle. It would explain the shitty flavor. 
DC
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