BeerBorg

Finished my Pilsner that came with the kit. 6 bottles turned out great. One was totally flat and another was barely drinkable. Followed instructions to the letter and let the bottles sit 8 days consistently at 70 degrees before I put them in the fridge. Since I am new to this, I was wondering if I should have let them carbonate longer or if I have a cap issue or just how common this is. Thanks.

It could be a few things but in reality, 2 weeks is the minimum, not just for carbing but for clearing. Many let them go a week or two longer.
Since many people don't have the patience and want their beer ASAP, the companies want you to believe 8 days is enough. That's simply not. However, the amount the sugar as well as the bottle size could also make a difference. And then there's the caps. Were they on tight?
I would take the rest out the refrigerator, let them sit another 10-14 days and try one again putting it in the fridge 24 or more hours before you want to try it.
To me, patience is the hardest part of this hobby.

Assuming you did put in sugar or sugar tablets in the bottles, and at the proper amount, then the following will be helpful:

4 weeks (not 8 days) at 70 or higher to properly carbonate and condition.

3 weeks fermentation, with temps ideally at 65 (wort temp, not air temp) - this has no impact on carbonation, just better quality product.

"Barely drinkable" is to vague to comment on, apparently it's not "flat beer" so provide more info. I'll guess that it was the last bottle, you got a bunch of trub in it (dead yeast piled up on the bottom of the LBK), and then you either drank out of the bottle or stirred it up pouring it.

GENTLY pour into a glass, leaving the last 1/4 inch in the bottle. When it turns cloudy, stop pouring.

Welcome Roger! I had trouble with my first batch carbing too, in my case it was cool winter temps. I put them on top of the hutch for warmer air. Since most of yours are properly carbed, it may be that the cap was loose, or possibly you missed adding sugar to one?
In any case, producing good beer is a great first step. Keep studying and practicing, your beer will become great.

Thanks for all of the help. I will let them sit longer on my next batch. Getting ready to start the brown. It.

rogermccune wrote:Finished my Pilsner that came with the kit. 6 bottles turned out great. One was totally flat and another was barely drinkable. Followed instructions to the letter and let the bottles sit 8 days consistently at 70 degrees before I put them in the fridge. Since I am new to this, I was wondering if I should have let them carbonate longer or if I have a cap issue or just how common this is. Thanks.

Did you bottle prime or batch prime?

I bottle primed each bottle as the instructions said

Then priming had no impact. 3 weeks fermenting, 65 degrees. 4 or more weeks carbonation and conditioning, 70 or above. 3+ days in the fridge, only put in what you will drink in 3 days, leaving the rest at 70 or higher.

rogermccune wrote:I bottle primed each bottle as the instructions said

Is it possible you just missed putting sugar in the bottles? I did that myself a few times.

I can offer one extra bit of advice when using PETs / screw on caps.

So bottle your beer and put on the caps as usual.

Then let them sit for a little bit (IE go clean your fermenter then come back to the bottles).

Then see if you can tighten the caps. You might be surprised that some of them will probably tighten a bit more even though they seemed tight the first pass.

Ok. Thanks for the tip. I will try that. My second batch is fermenting now.