Beer keeps going flat?

[alexforryan]

I've made 2 batches of beer using kits, both have gone flat and I'm not sure why.

The first fermentation when fine in both cases but after a week in the 25l plastic barrel they've both gone flat. Both barrels don't flow very well from the tap on the barrel and I have to keep loosening the top screw cap to even get any out. It's almost as if it's sealed air tight!

I've read up on 'flat beer' and have tried to 'correct' one batch adding some sugar. I'm sure my sterilisation was good (my wife - a microbiologist - supervised me and made sure I was aseptic through-out!).

Is it that the plastic barrels are rubbish and in fact no-one uses them - should I go for glass demis instead.

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I'm determined to get this right but so far everything seems to be going wrong.

[MightyMouth]

I assume you are using a pressure barrel like this:


and not a Screw Cap Fermenter like this:



If its the first then you need to prime it with 60 to 80 grams of sugar when transfering from the primary fermenter, this will be used by the yeast for the secondary fermentation which produced the CO2 which causes the carbonation.

The Pressure barrel should be air tight and if you dont seal it well enough then the pressure will escape and you will get no carbonation.

You shouldn't have to loosen the top to get beer out, if you do have to you dont have enough pressure in the barrel.

Glass Demis are for fermentation only.

[alexforryan]

Thanks DaaB, Does that mean then that all home brewed beers are flat? Or that that you all add 'stuff' to make it fizz. I'm so sorry if these are stupid questions but I really want this to work.

A

[alexforryan]

Thanks Mighty Mouth, Yes I'm using the first but I seem to have lost all pressure then. Is there any thing I can do to save the situation?

I did add the sugar, as directed when I transferred from the first to the second but still seem to have lost pressure.

A

[Jim]

It sounds like you might have a leak - check the seals. There should be a pressure relief valve as well - check that it's seating properly.

You will need some kind of CO2 injection system, though. Even a fully primed barrel will run out of pressure once you draw off a gallon or so of beer.

[mrtboy64]

go to wilkinsons shop if therve got a homebrew section buy some co2 bulbs and injecter or u could buy a new cap which should have the red co2 injecter then every time you feel your beer is going flat just pop a c02 bulb in that should do the trick

[DEV]

I use the same pressure barrels, 3 of which have developed leaks.
small pin holes in the seams of the barrel, 2 at the bottom which caused the beer to leak onto the floor, easy to spot. 1 on the top flat not so easy to spot, because they only leaked at high pressures, have since repaired with a soldering iron. also check the valve seals on the cap.

[alexforryan]

Dear All

Thanks for all of your help and answers, just a quick note to say that Batch 1 (Coopers Wheat Beer) is now fine. I changed tops and injected some CO2 and everything is fine. The second batch has gained it's own pressure and tastes great. I guess I was just a little impatient.

Thanks for all of your help.

Alex