Priming

[safletcher]

I've got some Scotch Ale that came in a self-contained, bag-like kit. I've had all sorts of homebrew learning opportunities on this thing (pitching yeast in hot wort is a no-no). It is supposed to self-carbonate and dispense from the same unit, but I call shenanigans on that. The first time I made a real honest to goodness homebrew, I reserved a little of the cooled wort and added a bit to a couple 1L bottles. Turns out that it isn't half bad.

I'd like to bottle the remainder, but I have no idea what sort of volume I have. Bearing in mind that I know it is better to mix the fermented product with a primer for racking purposes, what would be an acceptable amount of corn sugar to add per 1L bottle in order to carbonate my lost ale?

[Mikegobrew]

About a quarter ounce per bottle.

[safletcher]

What is that in tsp/tbl or whatever? Not even sure if that is weight or volume...

[Mikegobrew]

Um... I always figured 5oz. of corn sugar / 5 gallons water was 5oz. weight. So I did the math. But if 2 tablespoons = 1oz. then 1=.5 and .5=.25. So maybe .5 tablespoons = a quarter ounce. But I think I'd like to phone (or type) a friend for my final answer. How do you plan to add the corn sugar? I ask because I think part of the process is turning it into a simple sugar by boiling which dissolves the sugar so the yeast can consume it and sanitizes.

[safletcher]

How do you plan to add the corn sugar? I ask because I think part of the process is turning it into a simple sugar by boiling which dissolves the sugar so the yeast can consume it and sanitizes.

I guess it completely depends on your answer. I'd be more than happy to boil up a corn sugar/water solution or just add it in powder form. If something goes wrong, it won't be the end of the world. I didn't really spend a lot of time/love on this batch. I'm just trying to salvage what I can and not make bottle grenades in the process.

[corkybstewart]

Is this a Mr Beer type thing? How much beer do you have to prime? If you figure 3/4 cup per 5 gallons you can figure how much sugar you need for your volume. It's usually best to add it in bulk before you bottle, it makes the carbonation more consistent. The first batch I brewed called for adding sugar directly to each bottle, but it was a real bitch getting the same amount into every bottle, and it took forever.

[safletcher]

I don't think it is quite as bad as Mr Beer, but it is similar, I would imagine. I know there isn't 5gal in the thing anymore. I've sampled and managed to experiment priming two L using a little cooled wort from the first "real" batch of brew I was making. I'm really just looking for a rule of thumb. "1tsp per 1L bottle" or something similar. Just a ballpark so I don't make a giant mess and lose good bottles in the process.

I only have about 5 one L bottles left, so that will be the extent of it (I'll toss the rest, it's not that good), so time isn't really a big deal.