National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => All Grain Brewing => Topic started by: Pheeel on January 11, 2016, 01:19:32 PM

Title: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: Pheeel on January 11, 2016, 01:19:32 PM
[Not sure this is the best place for it but mods can move as they see fit]

Weird one this. Been pouring from my keezer no problem. Had a few beers on Saturday, tasting great with good head. I turned off the gas before I went to bed (think I have a slight leak still). Turned it back on just before the in-laws came over for dinner Sunday. I tried a few beers. Was getting a definite carbonic bite and minimal head that disappeared to nothing. I had neither of those issues the day before. Gas was at the same PSI (just under 10).

I can't work out why there would be such a difference between the two days. Any suggestions of what I can take a look at?
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: auralabuse on January 11, 2016, 01:45:22 PM
Could your corny itself be losing pressure?
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: Pheeel on January 11, 2016, 02:31:58 PM
Quote from: auralabuse on January 11, 2016, 01:45:22 PM
Could your corny itself be losing pressure?

I think the post on one of my kegs may be losing pressure (very slowly) but otherwise I think the other two are fine
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: auralabuse on January 11, 2016, 03:01:01 PM
If your storing at the right temp, and the carbonation was right one day but not the next it seems something is causing the c02 to come out of solution. It's usually a leak or temp issue.
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: Pheeel on January 11, 2016, 06:48:04 PM
Temp is fine and I thought carbonic bite is too much CO2?

Anyway poured a pint tonight (for science) wasn't as bad and the head was improved. No bloody idea what's going on... I'll see what the lads think of it at NCB tomorrow  O0
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: molc on January 11, 2016, 07:49:35 PM
Long lines and low psi at the tap maybe? Warm lines causing co2 to come out of suspension on the first pint? I had it with a stout last week, but it was the pressure dropping in the keg.
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: imark on January 11, 2016, 08:06:58 PM
Was the temperature of the beer the same? Cooler serving temperature could cause that.
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: Pheeel on January 12, 2016, 12:00:46 PM
Quote from: molc on January 11, 2016, 07:49:35 PM
Long lines and low psi at the tap maybe? Warm lines causing co2 to come out of suspension on the first pint? I had it with a stout last week, but it was the pressure dropping in the keg.

PSI was about 8 which has been fine before that. I don't think it was warm lines. I get a bit of foam on the first pour of the first pint but the recirc with my fans seems to keep the coffin at a good temp

I noticed today the thermometer had come off the side of one of my kegs so was measuring ambient temp. I'm going to rectify it and see if it makes a diff
Title: Re: Carbonic bite and no head
Post by: Will_D on January 12, 2016, 12:43:40 PM
How to test if a corny is leaking.

Add some gas to the beer in the corny.

Gently turn upside down and look for drips!

Brutal on the sediment I know, if there is any, (hence Gentle!) but its a surefire way to test for leaks.

Also when first filling a corny its a great way to seal any tiny leaks.