Elderflower nightmare!

[BrewRat]

Hi, can anyone please advise on salvaging this elderflower champagne? It had 14 days in the fermenter. It only just started to fizz so I transferred to demi and nothing. It's dead! Is it because I managed to get some bits in?? I added sugar syrup to try and kick-start the fermentation process but it's totally flat. I used champagne yeast too. It's a decent straw colour and tastes sweet but no fizz.
Cheers!
Sue

 

[Agentgonzo]

You have an airlock in the demijohn. This allows any fermented CO2 to escape rather than be forced into solution by pressure. So it'll never get fizzy.

 

[DocAnna]

Transfer to beer bottles and cap with a teaspoon of sugar added to each and leave in at room temperature for 2 weeks. As @Agentgonzo describes, you will not get any fizz in an open container or one with an air lock. If you don't have a bottle capper or don't want to use beer bottles, then transfer to cleaned and empty fizzy juice bottles and add about a teaspoon of sugar per 400ml. Just if the bottles are clear then keep them in the dark.

 

[Tanglefoot]

For future reference either you bottle at around 1.010 and leave remaining unfermented sugar to provide carbonation or let it ferment out and sugar when bottling ( as pointed out above )
The only way to do this is to monitor the gravity and if using first option make sure you have suitably strong bottles.
Last year I let it ferment out and used a mini keg primed with a sugar solution.
Worked well and meant I could top up with Co2 as required.

 

[RoomWithABrew]

Please check the gravity before bottling as you mention it's sweet. If gravity above 1.010 you risk bottle bombs if glass bottles used.

 

[BrewRat]

Thanks everyone for your help.. Well I bottled it yesterday and was amazed with the result as it has a natural light carbonation, and is very sweet (but not too sweet). It's cloudy and tastes lemony but I love it! Last year's turned to vinegar so this was a pleasant surprise.
I have used glass bottles with corks put in by hand. Also plastic bottles with lids.
I don't have a hydrometer or bottle corker. Do I really need either of these?
I like to do what my dear mum used to do, play it by ear and let it do its thing without all the technical stuff!
Cheers!

 

[RoomWithABrew]

When your mum was young all bottles had more glass in them than today.
You have to buy a hydrometer but you were given your eyes and hands so I suppose if you lose the use of one there's no cost.
Bonne chance!

 

[BrewRat]

The brew is good. I've put corks in by hand and there is sufficient room for the gas to escape. If I used a corker, it would be too tight. I've not had an exploder before but saying that, my bro is bringing a hydrometer over.
As it is, it's a lovely light brew with a delicate elderflower taste and slight fizz. I'm pleased with the result this year.