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knickspree · 08-21-2012, 11:54 PM

I got this kit because after brewing 3 decent beers from cooper's (stout, lager, bitter english) I wanted to make something that tasted more like "commercial beer," to see what kind of results I could get. I just started my first batch last night. But now on my 2nd batch I want to try and increase the alcohol content.

With the original batch you mix in: the wort, boiling water, and Cooper's brew enhancer 1 (4.2% alcohol by volume).

So to increase the alcohol content on my next batch I ordered an exra brew enhancer 1 (1 kg each) to mix in.

How will this affect my alcohol content if I mix 2 kgs of brew enhancer instead 1? I'm lookin for around 6% (ABV) or slightly lower (but higher is fine).

kh54s10 · 08-22-2012, 12:05 AM

The best way to increase the alcohol content in a beer is to buy a kit or brew a recipe that is designed for the alcohol level that you desire.

Adding sugar will boost the alcohol level but will also thin out and dry out the beer. Not often a good thing.

sweed · 08-22-2012, 12:28 AM

What exactly is a brew enhancer? I'd say, look up the recipes for what you'relooking for and the abv. Start making your own recipes/kits. I have done this for my last 3 brews, and I've done 4 total.

GashSlugg · 08-22-2012, 01:28 AM

Be 1= 600g dextrose. 400g maltodextrine Be 2= 250g dme. 250g maltodextrine. 500g dextrose.

GashSlugg · 08-22-2012, 01:32 AM

IMO you would be better off with be2 and 500g of dme.. If using Coopers boxed ingredients. Maybe a few hundred extra grams of dextrose if you want to bump up the alcohol.

**unionrdr** · 08-22-2012, 03:48 PM

Add a 3lb bag of plain DME & 1 box BE2 with 2oz of flavor hops to balance it out. That give a lighter beer with a bit more abv. See my reipes for how.

**Shooter** · 08-22-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unionrdr

Add a 3lb bag of plain DME & 1 box BE2 with 2oz of flavor hops to balance it out. That give a lighter beer with a bit more abv. See my reipes for how.

This is probably a little closer to what you want to do. I've been screwing around with the Coopers IPA kit a little trying to develop an easy to brew house IPA that I can keep in stock. I took the first batch to my last club meeting and no one was complaining about it or even thinking it was an extract batch let alone a Coopers can. With two kids and little time to brew, I'm only able to brew all-grain about half the time. If not for doing the occasional extract/steeping kit on my stove, sometimes easier not to have to drag out that burner, or even a 10 minute DME boil with Coopers kit, I'd have a lot less beer around.

**unionrdr** · 08-22-2012, 05:05 PM

Well,I don't use the enhancers anymore since the 5.3% or so I get from a can with 3lb of DME & the right amount of hops is enough. I like them to be sessionable,but enough alcohol where I feel mellow after 4-5.
I don't always want a big truckload of alcohol. But the BE will add a bit more abv withthe DME without too much extra malt to offset with more hops. Depends on what is desired.