Solutions To Flat Homebrew Beer

Whether this is your first batch or tenth, it’s downright frustrating when you invest your time, work and money into brewing beer only to discover that it’s flat with little-to-no carbonation. Even if it has a well-balanced flavor, the lack of carbonation will ruin an otherwise perfect batch of homebrew beer. To prevent this from happening, keep reading for a list of possible causes and solutions to flat homebrew beer.

 Store Your Beer at Room Temperature

The single most common cause of flat homebrew beer is from inexperienced brewers storing it in the refrigerator. When beer is stored in the refrigerator, the yeast grows dormant and isn’t able to convert the sugars to alcohol; thus, resulting in flat beer. The general consensus is that brewers should store their beer in a consistent 70-degree room temperature environment, as this actives the yest while keeping the beer nice and carbonated.

When choosing a location to store your homebrew beer, make sure it’s out of direct sunlight. Placing it near a well-lit window can literally cook your beer from the inside out, allowing it to spoil rather than ferment. Find a dark, room temperature place where the yeast can work their magic.

Be Patient

I’m sure first-time homebrewers are eager to test their beer, but you have to remain patient during the fermentation stage. Brewing beer is a methodical process that takes time, and trying to rush it will only reduce its quality. Premature homebrew beer typically has a flat texture due to the lack of carbonation.

So, how much time does homebrew beer need to properly ferment and carbonate?  There are several different factors which affect its fermentation time, but it usually occurs around 24-48 hours with most batches. During this time, be patient and go find something else to occupy your mind with until the beer is fermented and ready for drinking.

Poor Bottling

Of course, another possible cause of flat homebrew beer is poor bottling. Common sense should tell you that loose bottle caps will gradually release the carbonated pressure inside your beer bottles. And when this happens, your once carbonated beer turns into flat and hard to drink. If you’re going to store your homebrew beer in bottles, make sure the caps are fully secured before allowing it to sit. Even even small passages of air can make a bottle of beer go flat within hours.