Batch priming vs adding sugar to bottles

[DarkIsland]

Up to now, I’ve always batch primed for secondary fermentation - dissolved the sugar in boiling water in the barrel, then siphoned the beer from the FV into the barrel and then from the barrel into bottles.
...
Anyone else had a similar experience?

Interesting, my experience is entirely the opposite, I used to prime bottles with carefully weighed dextrose but always found some bottles were slightly more carbonated than others, I suspect there is a built in error to my weighing/funneling technique so I went to batch priming, less margin for error, it also makes it much easier if you have a mixture of bottle sizes.

I think others are right though, it's a case of what works for you. I always took great pains to ensure the dextrose was VERY well mixed into the beer. In order to prevent oxidation I use an old soda stream bottle and put a layer of CO2 on top of the beer before mixing...seems to work well.

 

[GhostShip]

Ghostship we all need to get out more if people criticise putting sugar in a bottle.

I’ve been trying to get out since the end of March but it’s not happening.

 

[BrewMeHappy]

This is the spoon I use

 

[Viamphie]

Hi folks. I am planning ahead for the bottling stage after brewing John Bull beer from a kit. I’ll be using random lemonade bottles as well as some beer bottles. For this reason I’d like to added the sugars as a batch before bottling. I have two questions please.
1. How much sugar should I add to 23ltrs.
2. What type of sugar should I use? I have standard sugar and Beer Enhancer.

Thanks.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

Hi folks. I am planning ahead for the bottling stage after brewing John Bull beer from a kit. I’ll be using random lemonade bottles as well as some beer bottles. For this reason I’d like to added the sugars as a batch before bottling. I have two questions please.
1. How much sugar should I add to 23ltrs.
2. What type of sugar should I use? I have standard sugar and Beer Enhancer.

Thanks.

I'd imagine for a bitter you'd be looking at the lower end between 50g-80g for just a light carbonation. You'll be fine with table sugar.
I'd suggest using a beer priming calculator to double-check though.

 

[terrym]

Hi folks. I am planning ahead for the bottling stage after brewing John Bull beer from a kit. I’ll be using random lemonade bottles as well as some beer bottles. For this reason I’d like to added the sugars as a batch before bottling. I have two questions please.
1. How much sugar should I add to 23ltrs.
2. What type of sugar should I use? I have standard sugar and Beer Enhancer.
Thanks.

Table sugar is fine.
But how much you add is really down to your personal taste on carbonation, and what type of beer you are bottling.
I suggest you use this to answer your own question
https://www.brewersfriend.com/beer-priming-calculator/And although you might have brewed 23 litres you might actually bottle less since you will leave some trub behind.

 

[QED]

I’ve always primed the bottles. 1/4 spoon of Tate&Lyle in the bottom of each. Delivered through a washed (fairy liquid) and not sterilised bone dry funnel and 1/4 measuring spoon. All bottles always have a good carbonation and never had an off beer.
(Bottles and caps are obviously sterilised)

 

[Viamphie]

Excellent stuff thanks guys. I’m not a fan of beer that’s too carbonated. So I may edge on the side of less is more. I’m using various sized containers to store the beer and that calculator was just what I was after. Brill.

 

[DarkIsland]

I had one batch that had a noticeable 'homebrew twang', it was the only batch I used table sugar instead of corn sugar (dextrose, I think). I fully admit it may have been coincidence but I've never used table sugar again.

 

[Satellitemark]

I had one batch that had a noticeable 'homebrew twang', it was the only batch I used table sugar instead of corn sugar (dextrose, I think). I fully admit it may have been coincidence but I've never used table sugar again.

Was the table sugar for priming or for the main brew in the FV ?

Mark

 

[dwhite60]

I have been priming bottles over 50 years this way and never had a problem.

I've been at this over thirty years. The longer I'm at it the more I appreciate simplicity.

I'm about done with sugar cubes. Think I'm going back to a measuring spoon and loose sugar. Never had a problem doing it before.