Tips & Tricks

Proper Bottling and Carbonation

The final step to perfect beer: bottling and carbonation. With sugar chart and tips.

Proper Bottling and Carbonation — freshly brewed craft beer
Craft Beer Wizard
March 10, 2024
5 min read

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Proper Bottling and Carbonation

Bottling is the final step to your finished beer. A lot can still go wrong here - but with the right tips, you'll succeed!

Preparation

  • 1. Clean bottles - Rinse, sanitize, dry

  • 2. Prepare equipment - Bottling wand, caps, capper

  • 3. Weigh sugar - Exactly according to calculator
  • Calculating Carbonation

    Sugar amount depends on:

  • • Desired CO2 level (volumes)

  • • Beer temperature

  • • Beer volume
  • Typical CO2 Values:

    Beer StyleCO2 (Vol)Character

    British Ale1.5-2.0Low carbonation
    German Lager2.4-2.6Medium
    Wheat Beer2.8-3.3High carbonation
    Belgian2.8-4.5Very high

    Using Sugar Correctly

    Table Sugar (Sucrose):

  • • Cheapest option

  • • About 7-8 g/L for medium carbonation
  • Corn Sugar (Dextrose):

  • • Cleaner, ferments faster

  • • About 8-9 g/L
  • Speise:

  • • Unfermented wort

  • • Traditional, complex flavor
  • Bottling Process

  • 1. Make sugar solution - Boil sugar in little water

  • 2. Add to fermenter - Gently stir in

  • 3. Fill bottles - Fill from bottom, avoid foam

  • 4. Seal - Press caps firmly
  • Bottle Conditioning

  • Temperature: 18-22°C

  • Duration: 2-3 weeks

  • Storage: Then store cold
  • Common Mistakes

  • 1. Too much sugar = Bottle bombs! ⚠️

  • 2. Too cold storage = No carbonation

  • 3. Opening too early = Flat beer

  • 4. Oxidation = Paper/cardboard taste
  • Calculate your sugar amount with our Carbonation Calculator!

    AI Tip: Carbonation in Your Recipe

    Our AI recipe generator plans carbonation as part of your recipe — with the right CO₂ volume for your beer style. Also use our carbonation calculator for exact sugar amounts.

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