Newest Threads

austinb · 02-26-2011, 12:05 AM

Hi, I made a 5 gal recipe for an imperial stout that requires 15 pounds of grain. The problem is my water cooler mash/lauter tun is only 5 gals so even with a thick mash of 1qt water to 1lb grain it would be a very tight fit if it even did fit. I was thinking of using one pound less pale malt so that making it fit wouldn't be an issue and adding a little corn sugar to the boiling wort to boost the ABV to what it would have been with an extra pound of grain (about a half pound of corn sugar I think). I've never used corn sugar for anything other than priming before and I was just wondering if that little bit of corn sugar would noticeably affect the taste of my beer or if 1/2 pound (or maybe a pound if I want to make it a little stronger) is so little I wouldn't notice it?

chew · 02-26-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinb

Hi, I made a 5 gal recipe for an imperial stout that requires 15 pounds of grain. The problem is my water cooler mash/lauter tun is only 5 gals so even with a thick mash of 1qt water to 1lb grain it would be a very tight fit if it even did fit. I was thinking of using one pound less pale malt so that making it fit wouldn't be an issue and adding a little corn sugar to the boiling wort to boost the ABV to what it would have been with an extra pound of grain (about a half pound of corn sugar I think). I've never used corn sugar for anything other than priming before and I was just wondering if that little bit of corn sugar would noticeably affect the taste of my beer or if 1/2 pound (or maybe a pound if I want to make it a little stronger) is so little I wouldn't notice it?

Go for it. It may thin or dry out your beer a touch, but depending on your recipe, this could be desirable. I suggest rather than corn sugar though, you use something with a little more character, like brown sugar. I did one recently that used about 7%, and the early results are good.

boostsr20 · 02-26-2011, 12:11 AM

It will make your wort more fermentable and possibly finish dryer. No problems with doing that but personally I'd use malt extract to make up the difference if the SG is 1.080 or under (which you are) otherwise you'll end up with a thinner than desired body for the style.

**ChshreCat** · 02-26-2011, 12:12 AM

I'd use extract rather than sugar for that. Any sugar will thin out the beer and to me an imperial stout needs a good, thick mouthfeel.

austinb · 02-26-2011, 12:39 AM

I thought about using malt extract but I don't have any on hand and I didn't want to have to go to the brew shop tomorrow as its about a half hour drive. It turns out I'll need to go anyway so I'll probably pick up some malt extract while I'm there. Its good to know that it will work in a pinch though.

Calder · 02-26-2011, 03:23 AM

Use table sugar. I occasionally use brown sugar, and 'think' it is different, but I'm not sure I can really tell. I use sugar in lighter beers.

The sugar will help reduce the FG a couple of points. Personally I like it dryer. Just don't over-do it. Keep sugar to 10% max of gravity points; thats 1 lb in a 1.090 beer for 5 gallons.

PolishStout · 02-26-2011, 04:30 AM

hmm, how would molasses work in brewing?

boostsr20 · 02-26-2011, 05:34 AM

Its just another form of a simple sugar that imparts a unique flavor. I don't recommend using Black Strap though. I wasn't happy with the outcome of using it. Haven't used regular molasses yet but a lot of commercial brews do.

chew · 02-26-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostsr20

Its just another form of a simple sugar that imparts a unique flavor. I don't recommend using Black Strap though. I wasn't happy with the outcome of using it. Haven't used regular molasses yet but a lot of commercial brews do.

I've heard you can get some nasty bitter off flavors from the unfermentables when using molasses; was that your experience?

dirty_martini · 02-26-2011, 06:34 AM

Avoid blackstrap. It's really high in iron so it can leave a weird metallic note. Regular molasses is good but my understanding id it isnt that fermentable, which means it wont boost the gravity as much and will leave sone linger. Using table sugar is fine, but maybe using something with a little more character would be good. D2 candi syrup, maple syrup, turbinado, Demerara, etc.