MrBulldogg

Recipes 

I ordered a kit online ... Turns out the full name of my "Continental Lager" kit was "Continental LIGHT Lager" with a really dinky alcohol level. I'd like to bump it up about 2-3% so it gets to a more normal level. Any thoughts on the best way to make this happen without negatively impacting taste?

Thanks,
Matt

Mishkin

Recipes 

More sugar =)

simonj

Recipes 

either more sugar, or add a very pale Malt extract. The latter will give your beer more body and flavour.

Alx Rains

Recipes 

Yeah about a kilo or so of Dextrose ought to do it

loopmd

Recipes 

I have made numerous continental light kits. I like to add 2 lbs of honey to the boil and recently I've also added 3 lbs of light dme. Just the honey added makes a big differance, but adding the dme really kicks your butt.


loop

davidkrau

Recipes 

I would say that a 2 to 3% alcohol is a pretty dinky alcohol level. What kind of an alcohol level do they claim you're supposed to get. I made an all grain brew called
(Liberty Cream Ale) . I was disappointed that I only landed up with 3.5% alcohol
by volume. I consider anythig under 3% a soft drink. There is an old song we used to sing in college ( Oh, you can't get drunk on 3 2 beer)

David

MrBulldogg

Recipes 

Ok, I'll try dumping some sugar into the mix and see what happens. Davidkrau, to clarify, I meant bump it up BY 2-3%, not TO 2-3%. It's supposed to be 3.5% to start, so I'm looking for 6% or so in the end result.

Thanks again for the help guys!
Matt

Lou

Recipes 

don't use sugar. use DME...it'll taste better.

loopmd

Recipes 

What he said.

Genghis77

Recipes 

Use extra light or ultra light DME. You might also consider using honey or rice extract to raise the ABV.